How to Clean Painted Walls

Think back to when you first painted your walls, the moment you took in the stunning vibrancy of your revitalized space. Would you like to keep that breathtaking look for years to come? If so, all it takes is some TLC in the form of routine cleaning. Your walls naturally collect dust and grime over time, so a solid cleaning routine will make them look better and contribute to a healthier living environment by removing allergens and other particles.

Before you start freshening up your walls, choosing the proper methods and products is vital. Using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing can damage your walls with scratches or even dull the finish. Thankfully, you have the friendly experts at Sherwin-Williams to offer helpful guidance. Below, you'll find details on the best way to clean painted walls so that you can establish a safe and effective routine to keep your home looking new for longer!

Tips for Cleaning Painted Walls

The key to maintaining attractive, healthy spaces is understanding how to wash walls without harming the paint. First, you'll want to consider the paint sheen on your walls. Flat and matte finishes are less durable than Satin or Semi-Gloss, meaning you'll want to avoid scrubbing too hard. It's also important to use non-abrasive cleaning rags or sponges and mild cleaning solutions to prevent damaging the surface. Here are some general methods for cleaning your painted walls:

Dusting Walls

Whether your walls are in excellent condition or you're preparing to deep-clean the surfaces, it's ideal to dust them regularly. The easiest method is running your vacuum's dust brush attachment along the walls and ceilings. You can also wipe your walls with a tack cloth specially designed to provide a lint-free and dust-free surface.

Washing Painted Walls

Sometimes, your walls require a deeper cleaning than dusting. Still, using the best cleaner for painted walls is vital: mild soap and warm water. This mixture will be tough on dirt and gentle on your walls, ensuring a clean and damage-free surface. We recommend using a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the walls in circular motions. Finish by lightly rinsing the walls with a wet rag to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Remember to thoroughly ring out the cloth or sponge before using it on the wall, as too much water can hurt the paint.

Tip: For freshly painted walls, wait at least two weeks before cleaning with soap and water to ensure the finish has fully cured. Wetting the walls any sooner may result in an altered or damaged finish.

Spot Cleaning

If your walls have scuff marks or stains that require more work to remove, a mixture of baking soda and water might be helpful. This cleaning solution for painted walls is helpful because baking soda is a natural stain remover without damaging the paint finish. Once you've removed those tougher, dirty areas, clean the wall with a wet rag to remove any remaining cleaning solution.

Tip: It's always a good idea to test your cleaning solution and technique to make sure it doesn't damage your paint finish. Pick an inconspicuous spot on your wall to perform your test. You're good to go if the paint still looks bright and no water marks remain after drying.

Paint Touch-Ups

Even after a thorough, deep wall cleaning, you might still find areas of discoloration or chips that require paint touch-ups. Thankfully, touching up small areas on your wall is relatively easy, especially if you still have some leftover paint of the original color used on that wall. If the original paint is in good condition, stir it and use that as your touch-up paint. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase more paint in the same color and sheen.

For the best results, gently roll or feather-brush the area. You'll also want to use the same application method that was originally used. So, if the paint was rolled on the first time, use a mini roller for touch-ups. If it was brushed on, use a paint brush instead. Sticking with the same application method will help the finish look uniform and hide the fixed area when it dries.

Continued Upkeep is Crucial

A clean home is a happy home, which is why it's vital to clean your painted walls regularly. Incorporating a wall-cleaning routine into your regular cleaning duties will help your home look fresh and vibrant far into the future. And when it comes time to change the color later down the road, or if you need guidance on another paint project, don't hesitate to visit your nearby Sherwin-Williams store to connect with our helpful experts!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The trick to washing painted walls with flat paint is applying gentle pressure and ensuring you don't get the walls too wet. Heavy pressure and over-wetting the wall can damage matte paint.

The best solution for cleaning walls is mild soap and warm water, as the soap will work hard to remove grime without harming the painted surfaces. If you have tougher stains or built-on dirt, you can scrub away these imperfections using a mix of baking soda and water, which acts as a natural, mild stain remover.

To clean painted walls without leaving streaks, mix a few drops of mild detergent with warm water. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with the solution, wring it out, and gently wipe the walls from top to bottom using circular motions. Rinse the cloth regularly and dry the walls with a clean towel to absorb excess moisture. Allow the walls to air dry completely, and if streaks remain, buff them lightly with a dry microfiber cloth.