Five Critical Tips For Keeping Walls Clean Without Damaging Them
Cleaning walls can be a challenge. You often start the process thinking that you are going to improve the wall, but instead, you end up washing off paint or soaking and ripping wall paper. Looking for ways to keep your walls clean without ruining them? Check out these five tips:
1. Use scrubbable wallpaper and durable paint
A bit of prevention can be more effective than any amount of maintenance. If you want to make cleaning the walls easy, use wall coverings that can withstand cleaning--scrubble wallpaper or durable paint. If you already have wall coverings, consider purchasing something more durable next time, but in the meantime, always start with dry cleaning before introducing moisture.
2. Use dry cleaning methods
Mud is harder to clean than dried dirt. Keep that idea in mind, and always start without water. If you have dust or dirt, use a duster on your wall. For pencil marks or fingerprint smudges, try using a rubber or eraser to remove them. If your stains cannot be removed with dry methods, create a gentle cleaning solution.
3. Be gentle
While cleaning walls, you must be gentle. Start with a mild dishwashing detergent dissolved into warm water – this mixture is great for oil-based stains from hands and food. If you need something stronger, make an alkali solution with a liter of warm water and approximately 60 milliliters each of ammonia, vinegar and washing soda (borax). Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners, as they will remove paint and damage wallpaper. Regardless of which methods you use, tackle the stains as soon as possible.
4. Clean stains quickly
The sooner you tackle a wall stain, the easier it will be to remove. For example, if you splash oil on your wall in the kitchen, grab a soapy sponge and attempt to gently scrub it off immediately. If you leave the stain, it will soak through the plaster or wallpaper and set.
5. Have supplies for covering stains
Unfortunately, if you leave a stain too long, it may not come out at all. In cases like these, the only way to salvage your wall is to cover it. For painted walls, you need a bit of primer and some paint that matches your wall, and for wallpapered walls, you need enough spare wallpaper to make a patch. To look natural, the wallpaper patch typically needs to be as large as the sheets of paper you normally use when covering a wall.
For more information, contact a business such as Collings Property Services Pty Ltd.
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