Deep cleaning your walls might seem an unnecessary chore, but you’d be surprised at the difference it makes. Like floors, walls accumulate dust, grime, and even grease over time, especially in the kitchen. This buildup can dull your paint and even contribute to allergies. In this article, we’ll tell you why it’s worth including washing your walls in your seasonal spring cleaning checklist plus tips on how to do it like our cleaning experts.
Wall Cleaning Essentials — What You Need
Deep cleaning your walls isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about maintaining your home and improving your overall indoor air quality. While regular dusting only skims the surface, a proper wash removes embedded dirt, fingerprints, scuff marks, and that invisible film that makes your paint look tired and dingy. Fortunately, deep cleaning your walls is super easy as long as you have the proper tools for the job. Prepare these cleaning essentials, and you’re good to go!
- Two buckets filled with clean water
- Liquid dish soap
- Baking soda
- A gentle all-purpose cleaner
- A flat mop with a microfiber head
- Microfiber duster with extendable handle
Why a flat mop? This one here is a game-changer. Using a flat mop is far more efficient than a rag and bucket, covers a larger surface area more quickly, and the microfiber is excellent at trapping dirt without being overly abrasive. Plus, it keeps your hands clean and saves your back! If you have a spin mop at home, that can also do the job.
Deep Cleaning Your Walls: Step-by-Step
- Prepare the Area
- Remove all hanging photo frames or decorations from your wall.
- Move any furniture away from your walls, especially fabric upholstered pieces prone to water damage.
- Lay down drop cloths or old towels along the baseboards to protect your floors from drips.
- Remove visible dirt
Clean dust, cobwebs, and loose debris from your walls using microfiber duster with an extendable hand. Work your way from top to bottom and give the trimmings and cornices special attention. - Mix your cleaning solution.
In your first bucket of water, add a mild all-purpose cleaner or three drops of liquid dish soap. Fill your second bucket with clean, warm water for rinsing. - Start washing your walls
- Dip your flat mop’s microfiber head into the cleaning solution. Wring it out thoroughly so it’s damp, but not dripping wet. You want to do a damp dusting of the surface without oversaturating the walls.
- Starting at the top of a wall (or section of a wall), work your way down in small, manageable sections. Overlap your strokes slightly to ensure even coverage.
- Avoid scrubbing aggressively, as this can damage paint. Let the solution do the work.
- As your water gets dirty, be sure to empty both buckets and refill them each to avoid getting your walls all muddy.
- Rinse as you go.
Dip a clean part of your mop head (or switch to a second clean head if you have one) into the clear rinse water, wring it out, and go over the freshly washed section to remove any soap residue. This rinsing step is vital to prevent streaks and leave your walls immaculate.
- Address stubborn stains
For scuff marks or fingerprints, you can create an eco-friendly cleaning paste mixing baking soda and water. Apply directly on the affected area. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion using a clean microfiber cloth or the non-abrasive side of a soft sponge. In addition, using WD-40 and Mr. Clean Eraser have also worked wonders for other cleaners. - Buff dry if necessary:
For walls with a very high sheen or if you notice any streaking, gently go over the washed and rinsed sections with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff and dry. In most cases, if you’ve wrung out your mop well, the walls will air dry properly without streaks.
Wall Cleaning Reminders
- Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals, like bleach, that can damage the sheen of matte, satin, or eggshell-finished walls.
- Do not use vinegar for walls with oil-based coating because it can dull its glossy finishing.
- Be extra careful not to get outlets and switches wet to prevent untoward incidents.
- Spot test your cleaning solution at a small patch in your wall, preferably an area covered with furniture. Wait for a few minutes to see if any unpleasant reaction occurs before proceeding to clean your walls.
Professional Home Cleaning by FreshSpace
Too busy to spring clean or maintain your home? Let our expert cleaning partners here at FreshSpace do it for you! We have everything you need to stay on top of stress and chores, from seasonal deep cleaning to regular weekly or monthly cleans. We can send top-rated cleaners to several locations nationwide. Experience our five-star cleaning services. Book a clean today!
