Mopping the floor and vacuuming the carpet are the chores you all do every once in a while. But do you remember the last time you cleaned the walls? Possibly never! Considering you touch it often when passing hallways, or lean against them while having heated arguments with the spouse or children, your walls also need cleaning! It’s an integral part of your house structure, yet even many professional cleaners aren’t 100% sure how to do it right!
Wall Cleaning: Step-by-Step Guide
Stains, dust and even mould that has been settling on your house walls over the years will need some major deep cleaning. Put on your work pants and let’s get started!
1. Gear up with your supplies
No special tools or chemicals are needed for giving your walls a cleaning service. Chances are you’ll already have the supplies at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
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- Liquid dish soap
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- Water
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- Soft cloths
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- Bucket
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- Sponge
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- Vacuum cleaner
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- Ladder
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- Stain remover
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- Towels
2. Prepare the wall
Next, you have to make arrangements for efficient cleaning.
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- Remove picture frames and other wall hangings.
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- Move furniture away from the walls.
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- Spread out towels at the base of the walls to catch drippings and dust without damaging the floor.
3. Dust the surface
Before you wash the walls, it’s important to remove all the dust from the surface. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all dust from the walls, making sure you use the right attachment to prevent scratches on your wall. Remove any cobwebs as you work on the wall. After vacuuming, wipe the walls with a dry cloth to remove any debris that was missed.
4. Prepare the solution
Just mix 4 to 5 drops of dish soap in half a bucket of warm water to get your cleaning solution ready. You can also use vinegar instead of dish soap, adding about 4 tablespoons of white vinegar to a gallon of water.
Alternatively, you can purchase a specialised cleaning solution from the store. Cleaning liquids for different wall finishes are available at most stores. Make sure you pick the right one, depending on your wall finish.
5. Do a patch test
No matter which solution you prepare, or purchase, do a patch test in a corner before scrubbing the entire wall. Dip a sponge in the solution and scrub the patch with it. Dry it completely before you decide if it can be used for the rest of the wall.
6. Scrub the wall
Soak the sponge in the cleaning solution, squeezing out the excess liquid and start scrubbing. Gently scrub in circular motions, starting from the top of the wall, moving your way down to the floor. Tackle the stubborn stains using the same cleaning solution made with a higher concentration.
7. Wipe clean
Wipe the walls with a clean cloth dipped in clean water followed by a second round of wiping with a dry cloth to soak up all that excess moisture. If you leave the walls to dry on their own, you’ll find marks all over the surface. Turn on the ceiling fans, and open windows to help dry it faster.
How often should you clean your walls? Clean your walls often to keep them gleaming, just like the rest of your house. According to experts, cleaning them at least once a year is enough to keep them in good shape and maintain the paint job.
