How to Clean Walls Without Removing Paint

Try as you might, it’s impossible to keep any surface clean forever. Your walls need a good clean from time to time! However, you can’t just go about cleaning your wall as you would any other surface in your house. Done incorrectly, you unintentionally remove some of the paint along with the dirt and stains. So how do you clean your walls without removing paint from it? Read on.

Cleaning based on the type of paint on your walls

First up, you need to consider the type of paint on your walls. This determines the kind of wall cleaner you should be using. Use the wrong one, and you really risk removing that paint. Not only that, but there’s even a proper scrubbing technique depending on the paint.

Prepare the wall before cleaning

Before you get to scrubbing, make a point to prepare your wall. Remove any fixtures, and move any furniture that’s up against the wall and is sure to get in your way. Be sure to dust the wall with a cheese cloth, and lay down a towel or paper to catch any cleaner or water that drips down the wall during cleaning.

How to clean latex-based paint

For latex-based paint, your best friend is vinegar or dish detergent. Dilute some of either cleaning agent into a bucket of water, and mix them together. Use a household sponge to gently wipe down problem areas with dirt and stains. 

An important note: don’t get the sponge too soaked with your cleaning solution, as too much of it will affect your paint. Small amounts of either vinegar or detergent shouldn’t affect your paint, but just be careful. You don’t want to have to repaint just because you used too much vinegar!

How to clean oil-based paint on walls

Walls with oil-based paint are tougher, so you can level up the strength of the cleaner if your walls were painted with this. If you have a degreaser on hand, you can use that to clean your walls without affecting oil-based paint. It’s important to always use a soft sponge when working with walls, as bristles and coarse sponges scratch up your paint and walls. 

Kitchens are notable for both having oil-based paint, and for having the kinds of debris and stains that would require a light degreaser. 

After drying, touch up walls as needed

Once your walls have dried, there’s always a slight chance that your cleaning process removed a little bit of paint, or made a slight scratch. Give your walls any touch ups that they may need, and allow time to dry once again.

There you have it! Perfectly clean walls that look brand new and freshly painted.

For big painting projects, contact the professionals

If you’re in need of something a little more than a simple wall cleaning, contact Old Crow Painting! We handle everything interior, exterior, residential and commercial when it comes to professional painting. Estimates for your project are always free! We can also help you determine what type of paint you have on your walls already, if you’re not sure or don’t remember from the last time you painted.