Walls tend to collect stains over time as they are one of the most frequently touched surfaces. Fingerprints, crayon scribbles, oil marks, or food splatters – dirty walls can make even the spotless home look filthy. Here comes the million-dollar question arrives: How to clean walls without removing the paint? Well, the process of how to remove oil stains from the walls doesn’t have to be a daunting task that scrubs the paint away or involves repainting.
Indeed, with the right products and techniques, you can easily restore the former glory to your walls. And, that too without damaging the paint or finish. Let’s see how you can tackle different types of stains on a variety of walls.
Common Types of Wall Stains
Before you proceed with how to clean walls, it’s important to understand the diverse types of stains you may encounter. After all, the cleaning procedure can fluctuate depending on the wall material (painted, tiled, etc.) and the stain type (ink, dirt, grease, etc.).
Now, here are some of the most common wall-stains you can come across:
- Fingerprints
- Oil and grease stains
- Pencil marks
- Crayon marks
- Dirt or dust marks
- Water stains
- Mould and mildew stains
How to Clean Walls Without Removing Paint: Handy Tips
Regardless of the stain you are dealing with, sticking to a gentle process is necessary if you want to avoid damaging the paint or the wall itself. According to professional cleaners, you can apply the following rules.
Test Your Cleaning Method in a Hidden Spot
Before you proceed with how to clean stains off walls, test your chosen method on a small inconspicuous area. Thus, you can verify whether it causes discolouration or damage.
Use a Sponge or Soft Cloth
Never use abrasive materials such as rough sponges or steel wool to scrub or clean your walls. Instead, opt for a soft sponge or microfibre cloth. As a result, you can avoid scratching the paint or tile.
Have Faith in Gentle Cleansers
Your first choice for how to clean walls should be mild non-toxic cleaning solutions. On the other hand, harsh chemicals can strip away paint or damage the wall finish.
Avoid Excess Water
Are you using a sopping wet cloth to clean the stains off the wall? Well, too much moisture can damage the paint. Indeed, it can cause the wall to peel off. Hence, wring out excess water or cleaning liquid always before you use it.
How to Clean Walls Without Removing Paint
It’s not a secret anymore that painted walls are more likely to lose their finish and vibrancy if cleaned improperly. So, it’s vital to discover how to clean walls without removing paint. Here are some stain-specific tips.
Dirt Stains and Fingerprints
Dirt marks and fingerprint smudges are among the most common stains found on painted walls. Especially, they are more evident in busy areas such as kitchens, hallways, and around switchboards.
Now, let’s check how to clean stains off walls.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap in a cup of warm water to make a solution.
- Next, dampen a microfibre cloth in the prepared cleaning solution.
- After that, gently wipe the stained area of the wall.
- Follow up with a clean and dry cloth to absorb the excess moisture.
If the stains are too stubborn then use a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain. Then, let the paste sit for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Oil and Grease Stains
Kitchen walls are hardly spared by oil and grease stains. They are all over the walls behind countertops. However, the procedure of how to remove oil stains from the walls can be tricky. Here comes the right method that won’t ruin the paint but deal with the stain effectively.
- Prepare a mixture of white vinegar and warm water. The presence of vinegar helps you tackle the grease as the ingredient breaks down the oil.
- Well, you should be cautious about the concentration. Too much acidity can cause damage to the wall or the paint. To be on the safe side, pour half a cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water.
- Next, use a clean towel or sponge to clean the wall. Dampen the cloth or sponge with the solution and wipe your walls gently.
As an alternative, you can try a paste of water and baking soda. After all, baking soda is known for its oil-absorbing properties. Hence, it can make the overall procedure easy when it comes to how to remove oil stains from the walls.
Pencil and Crayon Marks
Crayon marks on your walls are inevitable when you have toddlers or young children. Luckily, you can try the following DIY steps to learn how to clean pencil stains off walls.
- Take a dry clean eraser and rub it against the wall gently.
- Next, remove the residue with a soft cloth dampened in plain water.
- If the pencil stain remains intact, mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the pencil mark and scrub it with a cloth. Remember to be gentle with the scrubbing strokes.
What if it’s a large canvas of crayon stains? Well, here’s to clean stains off walls.
- Start by gently rubbing the crayon stains with a neat pencil eraser. The rubbery texture should lift the crayon off the wall without ruining the paint.
- Also, you can form a mixture of soap and water. Soak a cloth in the cleaning solution and gently rub the stains off. This should work for stubborn crayon marks.
Ink Stains
They can be one of the most frustrating to deal with when it comes to how to clean walls. However, here’s what you can go through to remove stains caused by pens or markers.
- First of all, try to dab the ink stain with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. Typically, alcohol helps lift ink from most types of wall paints.
- Then, use a clean dry cloth to blot the stain. Keep in mind that you should not rub it. Otherwise, you might end up spreading the ink.
- If the stain persists, use spritz hairspray on the stain. Next, wipe the area off with a clean cloth.
Also, you can try commercial cleaners to remove ink stains from the walls. On a related note, ensure you open all the windows while applying commercial cleaning solutions.
How to Clean Tiled Walls
Tiled walls, mostly found in kitchens and bathrooms, are comparatively easy to clean because of their smooth and non-porous surface. Still, grease, soap scum, and mould build up on tiled walls. Here’s how to clean stains off walls when they are made of tiles.
Grease and Oil
How to remove oil stains from the walls? Here’s what you should know about tiled walls.
- Make a solution with 1/4th cup of white vinegar, a quarter of warm water, and a tablespoon of dish soap.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Now, shake the spray bottle and spritz over the stained area.
- Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes.
- Then, use a sponge or soft-bristle brush to scrub the area. After that, wipe clean the area with a damp cloth.
Soap Scum
Typically, soap scum builds up on bathroom tiles, especially in bathtubs and showers. Let’s see how to clean stains off walls.
- Mix white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2 in a spray bottle.
- Then, apply the solution to the tiles.
- Let the solution settle for a few minutes.
- You can scrub the tiles with a sponge for better results.
- Finally, rinse the tiles with water thoroughly to avoid water spots.
Mould and Mildew
In moist environments like bathrooms, mould and mildew are likely to thrive more. Here’s how you can clean them properly from your tiled walls.
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
- Next, spray the mixture on the affected tiles.
- The solution should sit there for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub the mould or mildew with a soft brush.
- Make sure to rinse and dry the wall completely. Thus, you can prevent further growth.
Preventing Future Stains on Walls
Who doesn’t want to keep their walls looking pristine for longer? Here are some tricks that you can use. For instance, invest in washable paint if you are thinking of repainting. Washable paints are easier to clean as well as are more resistant to stains.
Additionally, you can install wall guards, chair rails, and baseboards to minimise the impact of scuffs and dirt. Furthermore, give your walls a light cleaning every 3 to 4 months. This will prevent dirt from accumulating on your walls. However, you can consider maid services to deal with how to clean walls without removing paint.
