Any cleaner can wipe dust and cobwebs in your home, but it takes a cleaning pro to remove stains off painted walls. We must admit removing stains can be a big job.
It can be frustrating and annoying at times as no one wants to spend hours of scrubbing. In contrast, nobody wants an eyesore on their walls.
So, brace yourself for these cleaning tips.
On your mark, get, set, prep!
Soap and Water
Start with the easiest method – soap and water. It is the safest method for painted and unpainted walls.
Soap is a mild cleaner. It should be everyone’s first line of attack for stained walls. In contradiction, soap won't do if your wall turns black due to a mould attack. Anyway, dish soap won’t kill the mould. For mild stains on painted walls, here is what you are going to need:
- Few drops of dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth
Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a bowl of warm water, dip the microfiber cloth into it and wring it. Rub the stained area until the stain disappears. Keep repeating the process to make sure the stain is gone. If it is still unsolved, it's time to move to the next level!
Cleaning Erasers
Cleaning erasers look like a sponge and can be used to remove stains off painted walls safely. It contains melamine foam which is an abrasive cleaner. The materials used for manufacturing cleaning erasers are safe and non-toxic, making it a safe product to use at home. The only drawback is they may break apart the longer you use it.
Let’s get to the good stuff! The cleaning eraser itself and water are all you need for this method. Check the instructions before using it for best results. I also suggest a spot test before applying the eraser on your stained walls. Some erasers may cause damage to your painted walls. Gently rub the eraser on the wall until the stain disappears.
Again, do not scrub too hard. What if it fails? You can move to the next option, which are...
Wall Cleaners
If you are struggling to remove stubborn paint stains on your walls, one of the most effective stain removers are wall cleaners. You can buy wall cleaning products in any supermarkets all over America. You can also make one.
For DIY wall cleaner, you will need the following:
- Quarter cup of club soda
- One cup of white vinegar
- One quart of warm water
Mix everything in a bowl. Dip the rag or sponge into the solution and start wiping the stained wall gently. Keep doing the process until the surface became stain-free.
Based on experience, baking soda and vinegar solution are effective for removing grease on painted walls.
What about finger smudges?
Bread
There is no need to fret if your little one left those tiny finger smudges all over your painted walls!
All you need is a loaf of bread. Using bread for wall-stains is one of my Nan's smart housekeeping secrets even before the time of Google and YouTube. take a piece of semi-stale white bread. Remove its crust, and then roll it into a ball. Wipe the wall with a clean cloth and dab the bread on the stained area. Bread contains gluten which absorbs the stains and acts as a natural eraser.
On a side note: You can also use this classic housekeeping hack for cleaning the coffee grinding machine, dusting or polishing pictures and picking up shattered glasses. Sayonara stains, be gone finger smudges!
Finally
If only walls can talk, they would be crying out for a good clean, especially if it gets stained!
Wall cleaning is a regular house chore everyone should give attention. Keeping your walls clean and stain-free is one way to maintain a healthy home. When removing stains off your painted walls, you should keep in mind to use the mildest cleaner as your first option such as soap and water.
Soap and water are safe to use on all types of walls. On the other hand, stubborn stains need deep cleaning. I suggest getting professional help to avoid damage on your walls.
Do not scrub the walls too much to prevent scratches. Dab the wet cloth gently onto the surface until the stain disappears. Wipe in one direction to avoid scattering the dirt or stain. I understand we all want to follow our Nan’s thrifty housekeeping hacks by using DIY natural cleaning products such as baking soda, lemon, and vinegar.
Note that mixing these products may harm the surface of your walls.
Do your research before creating any DIY wall cleaner. It is also essential to follow instructions on how to use wall cleaning products. A quick spot test is also a good idea to see if your wall cleaner is safe to use.