Walls make up most of your house and can accumulate quite a bit of dust and grime. They might not be considered when doing your regular day to day cleaning, but they do need some TLC every now and again. This is especially true if you have pets, like keeping the windows open, or have small children. Washing your walls can cut down on allergens in the home and keep your colour looking fresh. Some important things to know before you get to task are things like:
- What kind of finish is on the walls?
- What kind of quality is the paint?
- What kind of products should be used?
- What tools will you need?
Finish
The finish, or sheen of the paint will largely affect its scrub-ability. A higher sheen like semi-gloss or satin will stand up better to some elbow grease, whereas a low sheen like matte, or eggshell will need a lighter touch. You will typically find a higher gloss on doors and trim, and a finish like matte or eggshell on most interior walls. Some people opt for a higher sheen in bathrooms, kitchens, and children’s bedrooms where there is a bit more need for regular cleaning.
Quality
There are many advantages to choosing a high-quality paint for your home, one of which being its ability to withstand a good cleaning. With a budget paint you are more likely to experience negative side effects like loss of colour, and burnishing (changes to the sheen). It may become so unsightly that re-painting will be the only option.
Products
Using the right kind of products will also determine the outcome of washing your walls. A mild detergent in warm water with a soft washcloth or sponge is the best combination. DO NOT USE A MAGIC ERASER! These are great for stubborn stains in many areas of your home, but they work a little too well on your walls. There is a high chance that they will take the stain and the colour out with it! You will also need a dry microfibre cloth to dust the walls first. A vacuum can also be used but take care not to scratch up the walls!
Tools
For the easy-to-reach areas a soft washcloth or sponge are your best bet. For those harder to reach areas like staircases, or rooms with high ceilings you may want to use a ladder with your washcloth/sponge. If you choose this option, ALWAYS make sure there is someone to anchor the ladder for you to prevent a fall. Safety first, clean walls second! If you are on your own, you may want to use a microfibre style mop. The flat surface will ensure you won’t miss a spot, while also getting those hard-to-reach spaces. You may also use the mop with a dry pad to dust those hard-to-reach areas too!
Getting Started
Now that you’ve got the tools and the know-how, doing things in the right order will save you a lot of time and ensure you get the best result from taking on the pretty big task of cleaning your walls.
- Dust! Going in first with a dry cloth will save you time and trips to the sink to change out the water.
- Do a test patch! Before starting to wash in a highly visible area, find an out-of-sight spot to see how the walls react to your chosen detergent. Colour transfer will be obvious right away on your cloth, but the area will need to fully dry for a few hours to show if any burnishing has occurred. You will be able to tell if the test area has more shine than the wall around it.
- Time to wash! If your test patch looks good and there has been no colour transfer or burnishing, you can get started on the washing part. It is best to work top to bottom to avoid any drips down the already washed areas.
To keep your walls looking their best it is recommended to give them a good wash at the beginning of each season to maintain fresh looking colour and keep the dust and allergens at bay.