Published on December 7th, 2022

Last updated on February 3rd, 2023

How To Clean Dirty Walls?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
woman clean wall

Every surface needs cleaning from time to time. The walls in your home are no exception. Here’s how to clean dirty walls safely:

  1. Protect the floor before washing the walls;
  2. Wipe the walls of dust;
  3. Make a wall cleaning soap solution;
  4. Test your finished detergent on a small area of ​​the wall;
  5. Wash the wall gently in a circular motion;
  6. Remove stains from the wall;
  7. Rinse Detergent From Your Walls;
  8. Wipe the walls dry.

Washing the walls may seem too straightforward. However, any surface can be damaged if you do not know how to handle it. So, we categorically do not advise you to use an aggressive wall cleaning solution, as it can only damage your walls.

Also, you need to be careful with the wallpaper. If the walls of your house are covered with wallpaper, you need to read detailed information about them before you start washing. It may turn out that you cannot wet your wallpaper, so you will need to look for an individual wall cleaning method that is right for you.

In this article, we will look at our step-by-step instruction that will help you properly wash the painted walls and not damage them.

Best Way How to Wash & Clean Dirty Walls

man clean wall

While wall cleaning can be tedious, you should do it once in a while. Even if your walls do not have large stains, they still need to be cleaned of dust, grime, fingerprints, etc. It is important to do this correctly to avoid injuring the wall again.

In fact, to clean the walls, you will not need to look for a wall cleaning solution. You can get by with the simple tools you most likely have at home. Thus, all you need is the following:

  • Liquid soap for hands or dishes;
  • Water;
  • Soft clothes or rags;
  • Potholder fabric;
  • Two buckets;
  • Stain remover;
  • A vacuum cleaner with a dust attachment;
  • Baking soda;
  • Foam brush;
  • Hydrogen peroxide.

Do not use an abrasive wall cleaning solution or products containing ammonia. It is better to start with simple means. They will not harm your walls but help you deal with dirt effectively. 

And now, we suggest that you consider step-by-step instructions that will help you properly clean the floor.

Protect the floor before washing the walls

To not stain your floor with dirt from the walls and splashes from detergents, cover the floor of your room with towels.

Wipe the walls of dust

First of all, you need to vacuum the wall. After that, walk along the walls with a rag. To make it convenient for you to clean the walls of dust, put a rag on the mop and wipe the walls from top to bottom. Be careful not to damage the walls.

Make a wall cleaning soap solution

At this stage, you can start washing the walls. Here you need a soap solution. Simply fill a gallon of water in one of the buckets to prepare it. In another bucket, add stringy hand soap and water. Instead, you can use dish soap.

Test your finished detergent on a small area of ​​the wall

While a soap and water cleaner won’t harm your walls, test it out on a small wall area. Choose a spot on the wall that isn’t visible because of a closet or picture, and apply the cleanser to it. It is especially important to test the product if your wall is painted with matte paint.

Wash the wall gently in a circular motion

Once you’ve tested your cleaner on a small area of ​​the wall and you’re satisfied, start scrubbing your wall. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down. Work in light circular motions. Try not to apply too much moisture to the walls so as not to get bubbles. Also, don’t push too hard on the wall.

Remove stains from the wall

If your wall has stains, use a solution of baking soda and water. The mixture of these components helps fight stains. Mix half a cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of water. Apply this paste on the stain and start rubbing it.

If you notice greasy stains on your walls, remove them with an iron. Apply a paper towel to the stain on the wall. Then, press the iron on the stain at a low temperature through this napkin. Thus, the towels will remove the grease from the wall.

Rinse Detergent From Your Walls

Dampen a cloth with clean water and rinse any remaining detergent from the wall.

Wipe the walls dry

Take a dry towel and wipe the walls dry. You can open the windows for a while to dry your walls faster.

Thus, we have shared the best way how to wash and clean dirty walls, to avoid damaging them. Don’t put too much water on your walls as it can be dangerous for them. Even if you have stains on your wall, using a soap solution and an iron will help you eliminate most problems. Do not use more aggressive substances, as they can only harm your surface.

FAQ

How to clean dirty walls in a safe way?

To clean your walls, soak a rag in soapy water and run it down the walls. Do not use large amounts of water, which may damage the wall. After your walls have been washed, rinse off the soap with water.

What to use to clean walls?

To wash the walls, use a mixture of water and liquid soap. It will be enough to remove dust and some stains.

How to remove difficult stains from the wall?

Use a small amount of baking soda if your walls have stains that are difficult to clean with soapy water. Just apply it on a mint and rub it in with a rag. However, act slowly to avoid damaging the surface.

How often should walls be washed?

If you have small children or pets living with you, you will most likely have to wash the walls more often – as soon as you notice new dirt. If you do not have obvious stains on the walls, you must wipe them every six months. It is especially true for homes located in areas with a lot of pollen.