How To Clean Your Walls (Painted, Wallpaper, And More!)

Keeping your walls beautiful becomes a difficult task after some time. Whether it's fingerprints or your furniture leaving a mark, it's only natural that you might not know the best way to clean your walls, especially if you want to avoid any damage.

In this blog, you will learn how to clean the most common types of walls so they can regain their pristine look.

How to Clean Walls Based on Paint Type

Eggshell and Satin Paint

When cleaning walls with eggshell or satin paint, you’ll want to be gentle but thorough. These paints are fairly durable but still need some care. Here's the best way to do it:

1. Fill up a bucket with warm water and add a squirt of dish soap.
2. Dip a sponge into the soapy water, but make sure it’s not dripping—wring out any excess.
3. Gently scrub the walls using the soft side of the sponge, applying light pressure.
4. After that, rinse the sponge with clean water, wring it out, and wipe the walls again to get rid of any soap left behind.

Flat/Matte Paint

Flat or matte paint is super delicate, so you'll need to be extra careful while cleaning it to avoid damage. Here’s how you can safely clean these walls:

1. Grab a clean microfiber cloth and dampen it with warm water—just barely wet.
2. Gently rub the stained area in circular motions.
3. If the stain is stubborn, add a drop of dish soap to the water and try again.
4. Once the spot is clean, wipe it down with another cloth that’s just damp with water to rinse off the soap. Do not apply water directly to the walls—always use a cloth.

Glossy Paint (Semi-Gloss and High-Gloss)

Glossy paints like semi-gloss and high-gloss are more durable, which means you can scrub them a bit more. Here’s a simple way to clean these walls:

1. Mix warm water, a squirt of dish soap, and a few tablespoons of baking soda in a bucket.
2. Dip a sponge in the mixture, wring it out, and scrub the walls using the soft side.
3. For any tough spots, use a soft toothbrush and gently rub in circular motions.
4. After cleaning, use a damp microfiber cloth to rinse off the soap.

How to Clean Washable Wallpaper

Even though it's washable, wallpaper is still more delicate than paint, so you have to be careful. Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix a small amount of dye-free dish soap into a bucket of water to make a gentle cleaning solution.
2. Dip a white microfiber cloth into the solution, wring it out so it’s just slightly damp, and wipe the wallpaper in soft, tapping motions.
3. Right after cleaning a spot, dry it with a separate cloth to prevent water from soaking in.
4. Note: Always double-check the manufacturer’s instructions, as some wallpapers may have special cleaning requirements.

How to Clean Non-Washable Wallpaper

For non-washable wallpaper, water is out of the question. Here’s what you can do instead:

1. Dust the wallpaper with a microfiber or feather duster.
2. Vacuum the surface to pick up any remaining dust.
3. If you find any small stains, try using an art gum eraser to gently rub them away.

Warning: If a stain refuses to budge, it’s better to leave it alone than risk damaging the wallpaper—you might have to consider replacing it in tough cases.

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