It is daunting to think about cleaning the stains and marks on your wall, but the results that you will achieve are well-worth the stress and effort of completing the job. Not only will your wall look fantastic, but your entire home will appear cleaner by minimising these surface stains. Dirt, fingerprints and dust are just some of the strains that are common in households that can cause damage to your walls if they’re not taken care of. Although the job seems taxing, it is easier to do than you may think.
It is important to note that while you can clean these stains yourself, in some cases, it is best to hire a painting contractor who will use their expertise to remove stains safely, and in others, it is best to simply repaint. The most common types of stains are water-based, oil-based, dirt and grime build-up, permanent marker or ink and mildew.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains include things such as cooking oil, grease, gasoline, crayon and more. The best way to clean these heavier stains is to use an all-purpose wall cleaner. To make an all-purpose cleaner for oil-based stains on painted walls, you simply:
- Stir a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid into a litre of warm water.
- Once mixed, add a quarter (1/4) teaspoon of white vinegar into the mix.
- Once incorporated, spray onto your oil-based paint and allow to sit for 10 minutes before wiping away.
Latex-Painted Walls
Like cleaning oil-based paint stains, it is easy to remove marks from latex-painted walls by making a very simple, non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner.
- Stir a cup of white vinegar and a quarter (1/4) cup of baking soda into a litre or two of water.
- Dip a sponge into the solution and wring dry before gently using your sponge to rub the stains away.
If you are cleaning a textured wall, particularly a troweled finish, you may need a deeper clean, so simply add 28 grams of borax into the water to remove any stains.
Crayon, Pencil, Ink & Furniture Scuff Marks
To remove any crayon, pencil, ink and even furniture scuff marks, a magic eraser is the best solution. Don’t be worried about heading down to the shops, you can simply make your very own magic eraser easily at home.
- Mix half (1/2) a teaspoon of borax and a teaspoon of baking soda into half (1/2) a cup of warm water.
- Dip a rag or sponge into this solution, ring it out and rub onto stains to remove.
Wallpaper Stains
It can be difficult to clean wallpaper, but follow these simple steps to make it easier:
- Dust the wall before you clean.
- For old wallpaper, use a dry sponge.
- Use a gum eraser to remove marks.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners.
If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call and we can send a professional to take care of it for you.