How to Clean the Wall

After a while, the walls of your home can become covered with traces, dirt and stains. You will find your home and garden surprisingly bright after the walls are cleaned. If you’re planning to clean your walls, you’ll find some helpful suggestions below.

Table of Contents

Basic tips when cleaning walls

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/45/Clean-Walls-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-1.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/45/Clean-Walls-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Always start by dusting the walls. You can use a broom, dusting brush or vacuum cleaner to do this.

If the broom or brush is too stiff, tie an old t-shirt or rag in to avoid scratching the wall.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Clean-Walls-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-2.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Clean-Walls-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Dust the walls regularly, even if you don’t plan to do a thorough cleaning. This is especially important in areas around kitchens, sinks, bathrooms and anywhere where steam, water drips or splashes. In addition, you should also regularly clean stains, especially around places like light switches, where stains are easy to stick.

Dry dirt can be easily wiped off with a dry sponge.
To clean paint stains, try this: Put a teaspoon of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle with 1 quart of water. Spray on tights and wipe stains, especially sticky ones. The scent left after wiping also helps you feel comfortable.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/6c/Clean-Walls-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-3.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6c/Clean-Walls-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Cover carpets and furniture in the cleaning area. Anything that could be damaged by splashes of water or cleaning solution should also be covered. Old bed linen is a good choice. If not, you can go to charity shops to buy cheap. Other materials include old newspapers, towels and painters’ floor coverings.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d3/Clean-Walls-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-4.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d3/Clean-Walls-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Start cleaning from the base of the wall. Then wash it up, wash it until it’s dry. This will avoid water stains.

To dry the wall, you can use a soft and clean cloth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0b/Clean-Walls-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-5.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0b/Clean-Walls-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wear a sweat-proof wristband when washing the wall. That way water won’t run down your arm when you wipe it up.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ed/Clean-Walls-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-6.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ed/Clean-Walls-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use two buckets to wash the wall. One bucket contains washing solution, the other bucket contains rinsing water after using the cleaning solution. Change the washing water when it is dirty. (This does not, of course, apply to non-water washable walls, see below).

Painted wall

Cleaning painted walls is quite simple, but you still need to be careful not to cause stains or peeling paint. Knowing what kind of paint to paint on the walls helps – modern paints like clear polish can be washed. However, older paints, especially white lime styles, can peel off easily and require extra care when cleaning.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/43/Clean-Walls-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-7.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/43/Clean-Walls-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Clean the dust on the wall. Use a soft brush, broom and vacuum cleaner with a brush head to remove dust before cleaning. This step helps to remove anything that could further stain when cleaning.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/ad/Clean-Walls-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-8.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/ad/Clean-Walls-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Remove stains or stains first. Identify stains and treat them properly. A word of advice for you: before cleaning the wall, you should always test on a hidden spot to make sure the product you are using doesn’t peel off the paint.

The simplest and most effective cleaner is a paste made from baking soda and water. This mixture can remove stains such as crayons, pencils, highlighters, stains caused by objects rubbing against walls, ink and similar stains. Use a rag to dab the mixture on and rub the stain until clean.
The wax color can be removed with a cloth dipped in pine oil or a little toothpaste (let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off).
Toothpaste can remove black stains caused by objects rubbing against walls. Simply apply toothpaste to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a soft, damp cloth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5b/Clean-Walls-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-9.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5b/Clean-Walls-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash the wall. Most painted walls only need warm soapy water. Or if you want the solution to be more effective, you can add a cup of white vinegar to a bucket of warm water. Vinegar leaves no traces, so you don’t need to rinse it again.

Avoid products containing alcohol to wash walls. These products have the potential to crack paint and will leave light streaks on the cracks.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/17/Clean-Walls-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-10.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/17/Clean-Walls-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Make a stronger wall cleaner if necessary. If warm soapy water doesn’t work, you may need a stronger solution. You can make your own at home as follows:

Mix 100 g of washing soda detergent powder with 4 liters of water.
Wipe the wall with the above mixture, then rinse with water, dry and check if it is clean as expected.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e8/Clean-Walls-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-11.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e8/Clean-Walls-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Rinse off the solution. Use a washcloth dipped in warm water and gently rinse off the cleaning solution. Use a soft towel to pat dry.

No rinsing is required if a vinegar solution is used.

Paper wall

Wallpaper comes in a variety of materials, some washable, some non-washable. If you know what type of wallpaper your home is, that’s fine. If not, try going to a hidden spot first.

Waterproof wallpaper

Water-resistant wallpaper with a thin vinyl coating that can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/bf/Clean-Walls-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-12.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bf/Clean-Walls-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-12.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Cleaning. Use a broom to wrap an old t-shirt, a soft brush, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush head to clean.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1b/Clean-Walls-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-13.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1b/Clean-Walls-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Remove stains on water-resistant wallpaper. Stains should be treated after dusting and before cleaning the wall. Some of the most common stains are:

Ink, wax and highlighter: Use a solvent such as WD-40 or dry cleaning solution to clean.
Grease stains: Use warm soapy water.
Other stains: Use according to manufacturer’s instructions, if applicable.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/2c/Clean-Walls-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-14.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2c/Clean-Walls-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-14.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash the wall with waterproof paper. In general, after dusting, you can wash the wall with warm soapy water or warm water with a little ammonia added.

Vinyl coated wallpaper can also be washed with a cloth dipped in white vinegar (do not use vinegar directly on the wall).
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions if available.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/69/Clean-Walls-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-15.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/69/Clean-Walls-Step-15.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-15.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash. Use a cloth dipped in warm water and gently wipe off the cleaning solution. Blot dry with a soft towel.

Wallpaper is not waterproof

Clean grease stains on both types of wallpaper

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/85/Clean-Walls-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-18.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/85/Clean-Walls-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Consider using bread to clean grease stains from wallpaper. Bread can be a very good absorbent for removing grease stains on both waterproof and non-waterproof wallpaper. You need to use bread that is roughly the same color as the wallpaper – light bread for light wallpaper, dark bread for darker wallpaper.

Remove dust with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
Grab a piece of bread with clean hands (or ball it up if easier) and rub it back and forth over the stain until it’s clean.
Sweep again to remove breadcrumbs.

Walls made of cork

Although not as popular as it once was, this material is still found in some fairly old kitchens.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/04/Clean-Walls-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-19.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/04/Clean-Walls-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-19.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Dust first.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/43/Clean-Walls-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-20.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/43/Clean-Walls-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-20.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash with hot water. Do not add detergent. Let dry naturally.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/dc/Clean-Walls-Step-21.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-21.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/dc/Clean-Walls-Step-21.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-21.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Remove stubborn stains as follows:

Dilute the solution with one part methyl alcohol and 10 parts water.
Dip a rag in the mixture and squeeze out the water.
Wipe the stained areas until clean.
Wipe clean with a damp rag.

Wooden wall

The wall here is said to be a wood-varnish wall if it is an interior wall. Exterior walls are also briefly mentioned, but you need to seek special advice for cleaning exterior walls.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/68/Clean-Walls-Step-22.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-22.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/68/Clean-Walls-Step-22.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-22.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Dust on the wall. You can use a broom, broom in the broom kit with a dust collector or a vacuum cleaner with a brush head.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/18/Clean-Walls-Step-23.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-23.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/18/Clean-Walls-Step-23.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-23.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use warm soapy water to wash the wall. A mild soap solution should be used. Instead of washing the entire wall, just focus on washing the dirty areas.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1e/Clean-Walls-Step-24.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-24.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1e/Clean-Walls-Step-24.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-24.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash the wooden wall outside.

Exterior wooden walls need to be washed on a dry day to avoid wood rot. If possible, you should avoid spraying water on adjacent wooden boards, as water can run under the wood below, creating conditions for mold to grow.
You can use the faucet to wash stubborn stains on the outside, but only focus on the dirty area. Other areas just need to be wiped clean.
Lichen, moss and similar stains can usually be removed with a rag dipped in white vinegar. Wear gloves so you don’t get hurt if you cut or scratch your hand.

Wipe around the light switch

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/30/Clean-Walls-Step-25.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-25.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/30/Clean-Walls-Step-25.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-25.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use vinegar. If the wall is washable with water, you can use a mild detergent solution with vinegar and water to clean the stains around the light switch.

Removes mold and mildew on walls

Dew mold is mold that grows shallowly on the surface, while mold grows deeper and creates dark spots that last a long time!

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/ba/Clean-Walls-Step-26.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-26.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/ba/Clean-Walls-Step-26.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-26.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use vinegar and water to scrub the mold off the wall. If the wall is too dirty from mold, it’s best to use a product suitable for wall cleaning – follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Be careful when spraying mildew remover on walls. Water splashes can permanently stain wall surfaces. Spray slowly and carefully, paying attention to immediately wipe away any water droplets before they damage the whole wall of your home.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/01/Clean-Walls-Step-27.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-27.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/01/Clean-Walls-Step-27.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-27.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Dry the wall after showering and cooking. Use a rubber broom or tie a towel to the end of the mop to clean damp walls.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e7/Clean-Walls-Step-28.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-28.jpg”,” bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e7/Clean-Walls-Step-28.jpg/v4-728px-Clean-Walls-Step-28.jpg”,”smallWidth” :460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Find a permanent solution.

Check the wall surface. Mold grows in damp places, so they often become a big problem in bathrooms, kitchens, and walk-in closets. If these surfaces are not painted, you need to replace them as soon as possible because the easiest way to deal with mold is with regular washable clear polish or gloss.
Install a dehumidifier. Mold will continue to grow unless you remove the source of the moisture.

Advice

Cleaning walls is a job that should be done by many people. You should ask at least one other person to help speed things up and share tasks, such as stain removal, dusting, and wall cleaning.
If the walls are attached to fabrics, brush them off regularly. Stains need to be treated immediately to avoid reoccurrence. This is probably one of the most difficult types of walls to clean, which is why people don’t usually attach the fabric directly to the wall.

Warning

If you’re not sure if a solution (even water) is suitable for cleaning walls, test a small amount on an inconspicuous area first. If there is no problem, you can use it for the whole wall.

Steps