The walls in your home likely take up more surface area than any other feature in the space. While you may clean your floors, furniture and other surfaces throughout the home weekly, you may not recall the last time you cleaned the walls. Perhaps you damaged the paint the last time you tried to clean the walls and have not made another attempt. As is the case with all other surfaces in the home, the walls need to be cleaned regularly. With the right approach, you can safely clean your walls without damaging the paint.
Why You Need to Clean Your Walls
If you have kids, crayon marks, smudgy handprints and more may be visible on at least a few of your walls. Pets can also leave their mark, such as by rubbing their dirty coat against the same spot of a wall regularly. Even if you do not have pets or kids, your walls inevitably will collect dust, pet dander and other elements over time. In addition to giving your home a generally filthy look, these elements can lead to respiratory symptoms and other health issues.
When to Clean the Walls
While it is clear that your walls should be cleaned from time to time, how frequently should this task be done? In a low-traffic home, wiping down the walls from top to bottom should be done at least once a month. If you have a busy home with a lot of foot traffic, tackling this important job every few weeks makes sense. Keep in mind that the age of the HVAC system, the cleanliness of the air ducts and the type of air filters you use can also impact how frequently the walls should be cleaned.
Cleaning Walls with Flat & Cement Paint
All walls should be dusted regularly, but you also need to take additional steps based on the type of paint that is on the walls. Cement paint has a dull finish, and this means that the paint is less durable for cleaning purposes. Using degreasing products and harsh chemical products can damage flat, satin and eggshell paint. Because of this, the best way to tackle smudges and stains on these surfaces is with mild soap, water and a soft sponge. Scrub gently, and stop frequently to ensure that you are not harming the paint.
Cleaning Walls with Semi-Gloss or Gloss Paint
Semi-gloss and gloss paints reflect light and have a shinier appearance. They are much easier to clean than paints with a dull finish, so you often will find these finishes in kitchens and bathrooms. While this paint is more durable, it can still scratch off when too much pressure is used. With this in mind, clean these surfaces with a soft sponge, and avoid using too much friction. However, it is safe to use a mild cleansing agent or degreaser on these surfaces.
Cleaning Walls with Latex Paint
In addition to focusing on the type of paint finish, you should pay attention to whether latex or oil-based paints are on the walls. Latex paint is perhaps the most common type of paint used on drywall. If you are cleaning walls with latex paint, you will need to have two bowls of water as well as two sponges. Using the first bowl of water and sponge, rub the lightly moistened sponge on the wall. You can use a general-purpose cleanser or mild soap based on the paint finish type. Avoid getting the electrical features wet. Then, use the clean sponge and second bowl of water to wipe away soap or cleanser residue. Avoid getting the walls saturated. You may use a mixture of baking soda and water or white vinegar and water to tackle tough spots.
Cleaning Walls with Oil-Based Paint
While oil-based paint is rarely used on drywall, it may be used on doors, trim, paneling and other surfaces. You will use the same technique as you would with walls covered with latex paint, but you will use different cleaning agents. Rather than using a general-purpose cleaner, you should use a mixture of a mild detergent and water or white vinegar and water. If your walls are dirtier, you can add a small amount of borax to your preferred cleaning agent. Oil-based paint is commonly used on surfaces that have a grooved texture. These areas of the walls may require special attention and extra scrubbing.
While you may not need to go through the process of cleaning your walls each week, this is an important task that needs to be done on a regular basis in order to keep your home pristine. Unfortunately, cleaning every inch of your walls can be labor-intensive and exhausting. You can give your home the full attention that it needs regularly without having to lift a finger when you put our pros to work. To learn more about what our maids can do for you, contact TidyHere Cleaning Service today.
