How to Keep Your Newly Painted Walls Clean
Painting your walls is one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can have done to your home. After all that hard work, the last thing you want is for your newly painted walls to become dirty. Here are a few tips on how to keep them looking their best.
How long should I wait to clean my newly painted walls?
It’s important to wait until your paintwork is fully dry before cleaning your newly painted walls. How long this takes will depend on the type of paint you’ve used. Acrylic and oil-based paints usually need up to three days to dry and water-based paints need just one day. However, it’s important to wait at least 2 weeks before you use any water or cleaner on your walls after any type of new paint is completed.
Quick Cleaning
If you don’t want to damage your paintwork, then quick cleaning should be part of your regular maintenance routine. For day-to-day dust, fluff, and finger marks, you should use a damp cloth or an anti-static microfiber duster to clean the walls without actually touching them. Avoid using cleaners or abrasive materials as this could damage or fade the paint finish over time.
Preventing Marks
Preventing dirt and marks from appearing in the first place is just as important as cleaning them off when they do eventually appear. If you have little ones running around or pets who may touch the walls, then consider investing in protective furniture covers that can be removed and washed after use. If you have any exposed paint in food areas like a kitchen or dining room, then make sure to clean up any spillages quickly with a damp cloth, before they can dry and stain the wall.
Regular Deep Cleans
A deeper clean will be needed every so often depending on how much traffic comes through your home and how much dirt accumulates between cleans. Make sure you always use mild detergents and warm water as anything stronger could cause damage to the paintwork over time if used too often.
Avoid scrubbing too hard against your walls as this could remove some of the paint finishes. Try softening any tough dirt by soaking it in warm water before wiping it away gently with a soft cloth or sponge.
Additional Protection
For extra protection on high traffic areas such as door frames and skirting boards (which are especially prone to scuffs), then consider using polishes. These provide extra protection against stains and dirt build up, while also making them easier to clean in future deep cleans.
Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Painted Walls
Cleaning your painted walls is an important part of keeping them looking their best. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Dust: Dust the walls using an antistatic microfiber cloth or duster. This will remove any cobwebs, dust, and grime without damaging the paintwork.
- Remove stains: If you find any tough stains or marks, use a damp cloth to gently rub them away in a circular motion from the middle outwards.
- Make a paste: For stubborn stuck-on dirt, try making a paste of warm water and mild detergent and apply it to the affected area before wiping with a soft cloth.
- Rinse: Rinse off any excess solution with warm water and pat dry with another clean cloth to avoid any streaks or spots forming on the wall’s surface.
- Extra protection: To add extra protection against future dirt build up, you can use polish on high traffic areas such as door frames and skirting boards.
- Enjoy! When you’re finished, sit back and admire your clean, freshly painted walls!
How do I protect my walls from getting dirty?
Keeping your walls clean is important, but it’s equally important to protect them against dirt and grime. Here are some ways you can do this:
- Regular dusting and vacuuming. You can easily use an antistatic microfiber cloth or duster to remove any dust on the walls. Do this weekly.
- Spot cleaning with a mild detergent solution when needed. If you find any tough stains or marks, use a damp cloth to gently rub them away in a circular motion from the middle outwards.
- Sealing the walls with a varnish or sealant for extra protection against dirt buildup in high traffic areas such as door frames and skirting boards.
- Investing in washable paints or wallpapers for easier maintenance down the line!
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to make sure that your newly painted walls stay looking their best for years to come!
