Cleaning a wall that’s already been painted on can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, it’s quite easy once you learn what to do. First off, it’s important that you figure out what type of paint you’re working with. Glossy or semi-glossy paints tend to be fine for washing while latex and satin-based paints may fade with aggressive cleaning.
Regardless of the type of paint you’re using, it is important that you thoroughly dust your wall. This should be done before doing anything else. Use a dust brush as well as a vacuum to clean your walls. After removing the dust, take a cleaning solution and apply it on a small area of your wall. This will serve as your “test patch” and help you determine if the cleaning solution is safe to use on your painted walls.
What Cleaning Solutions Work Best?
In order to preserve the quality of your paint, you need to choose the right cleaning solution as well as the gentlest cleaning materials that you can. A cellulose sponge, detergent soap (mild), and warm water should do the trick.
If you don’t feel as though this will do a good enough job then try a homemade solution: 1/4th cup of baking soda, ½ a cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of ammonia. Add one gallon of warm water and you now have a cleaning solution that can remove even the toughest stains without doing significant damage to your paint.
Final Considerations
Make sure that you lay down some kind of newspaper or towel underneath your workspace so that the solution doesn’t stain your floor. If possible, wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a long-sleeved t-shirt. This will prevent the cleaning solution from getting into your eyes or onto your skin. Start slowly and work your way around the wall in a circular motion. Rinse your water out regularly to ensure that you aren’t rubbing dirt onto the surface.
If you still have trouble cleaning a painted wall, then perhaps it’s time to contact a local painting company for assistance.
Happy Painting!
