How To Clean Painted Walls?

Painted walls are the centrepiece of any home, setting the tone for its style, statement and ambience. Spotless walls provide a canvas for vibrant colours, textures and unique décor, transforming your home into a cosy and personal sanctuary. However, these are the most neglected parts during a cleanup session.

They are often laden with dust bunnies, smudges, kids’ drawings, grime, grease, fingerprints and gunk. If the paint or finish is losing its shine, clean it thoroughly to retrieve the original glory. This becomes even more crucial when preparing for the final rental inspection in Darwin, as property managers or landlords thoroughly inspect walls and may withhold your bond due to dirt and grime buildup. However, using abrasive tools or products can tarnish the paint, leading to hefty repairs.

Fret no! Here are some practical yet easy ways to clean all painted walls like a pro. With the right supplies and techniques, you can maintain your home’s walls and leave a great impression on your landlord.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Understanding the Type of Paint

Choosing the right cleaning method is crucial when cleaning your painted walls. Every wall finish needs specialised products and treatments to prevent damage. So, here are some common types of paint finishes for walls:

• Eggshell, Flat or Satin Finish: This type of paint is less durable and more likely to leave smudges behind due to scrubbing. So, avoid using harsh products or abrasive brushes for cleaning. Instead, use mild dishwashing soap and water.
• Latex Paint: It is a water-based paint known for its durability and easy cleanup. It is ideal for interior walls, including bathrooms and kitchens.
• Semigloss or Glossy Finish: This type of paint finish is a popular choice for the kitchen- thanks to its durability. It is good to use mildly abrasive products to remove stubborn stains. However, it is also prone to scratches and smudges due to harsh scrubbing.

If you are vacating a rental apartment for the first time, conduct in-depth research to choose the best professionals for expert bond cleaning Darwin. They use tried and tested methods to clean delicate surfaces, including painted walls.

2. Eliminate Loose Dirt, Cobwebs and Allergens

Start the process by preparing your walls for meticulous cleaning. Remove wall art, photo frames, lamps and paints from the area. Move heavy furniture or appliances to get into nooks and crannies easily.

Next, grab a telescopic duster to remove cobwebs, insect marks and loose dust from the top of your walls. It is good to clean the ceiling fan, walls, and mouldings with a microfiber duster. A microfiber cloth is one of the best dusting tools for people with pre-existing allergy symptoms.

3. Clean Eggshell Painted Walls With Soapy Water

Satin, flat or eggshell paint finish is the most delicate type and thus requires careful stain removal strategies. Instead of using ammonia-based cleaners, use mild dishwashing liquid soap and warm water. Also, prefer using a sponge, microfiber cloth or a Magic Eraser to dislodge smudges, grime and stubborn stains.

Dampen a sponge in the soapy water and squeeze out excess product. Now, scrub the wall with your gentle hands. Work in circular motions to prevent scratches and streaks. Clean and repeat if required before wiping with a wet cloth.

4. Use Baking Soda for Oil-Based Painted Walls

Don’t underestimate the power of baking soda, a versatile leavening agent to bake cakes, muffins, and more. It can help you eliminate common stains, grime and gunk from your oil-based painted walls without causing any damage.

You can prepare the DIY recipe by adding one cup of baking soda with a teaspoon of warm water and dish soap liquid. Apply it over the affected area using a sponge to clean the surface. In the final step, wipe the walls with a clean cloth to remove powder residue. This will help you achieve a sparkling look.

Tip: Professional bond cleaners in Darwin recommend using mild products to clean oil-based painted walls. Never use vinegar or acidic products, as it can wear out the finish or cause discolouration.

5. Retrieve The Glossy Finish With White Vinegar

Gloss or semigloss-painted walls are super-easy to clean and maintain. You can use acidic or mildly abrasive products to tackle stains and grime. White vinegar is a popular choice for this type of paint. It can effectively combat mould, mildew, food spills, stains and gunk in no time.

You’ll need to mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water into a spray bottle. Next, add a mild dishwashing soap or tea tree oil. Spray this solution to remove smudges, scribbles, doodles, and adhesive marks from your walls like a pro.

Leave the product for a few minutes to break down the gunk or until you wipe it down with the surface with a clean cloth.

Tip: You can also find tested weird cleaning hacks online to clean walls and other surfaces of your home like a pro.

6. Magic Erasers For Spotless Appearance

Believe it or not! Magic erasers are one of the most revolutionary cleaning tools for walls and delicate hard surfaces. They are made of melamine foam, which works wonders in removing scuff marks, pencil marks and other stubborn stains without abrasive chemicals.  It can be replaced with brushes, and reduce plastic waste. You just need to wet the surface and gently scrub the area. If every hack fails, hire experts for a quality bond cleaning Darwin and secure your bond money.

Tip: Always do a spot test on a hidden area first to prevent unnecessary damage.

Practical Ways to Clean Painted Walls

Wrapping up

There is no rocket science when cleaning painted walls. It is important to understand the type of paint finish and apply the product or method accordingly to achieve the best results. Hopefully! This article has helped you discover eco-friendly ways to remove smudges, grime and gunk from painted walls.