Cleaning your walls should be a regular part of your household maintenance routine, especially if you have active children or pets running around. Cleaning interior painted surfaces will keep them looking great, and it can also extend the life of your paint.
Follow These Tips to Keep Your Paint Looking Fresh and Clean
1. Keep Furniture Away From Your Walls
Wainscoting, chair rails, and baseboards were originally designed to be a protective barrier. If your couch or other furniture is right next to your wall, you should pull it out a little. Furniture will put pressure on the wall, causing the paint to scuff or rub off. Take care when moving furniture to protect your walls from scratches and chips.
2. Clean Up Spills and Stains Promptly
The longer you wait to address a stain, the harder it will be to remove. The best way to maintain your paint is to clean stains or spills as soon as you notice them, preferably before they dry.
3. Keep a Paint Repair Kit Handy
For minor scuffs, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. For touch ups, keep your leftover paint clearly labeled and have a small, clean brush handy. Follow these tips for touching up your wall paint.
4. Dust Your Walls
Dust settles on walls, and you should regularly remove it even if your walls look clean. A layer of dust will give your paint a dull look. Dust from top to bottom using a microfiber cloth, your vacuum cleaner’s dust brush attachment, or a dust-removal tool like a Swiffer.
5. Clean Your Walls
The key to cleaning any painting surface is to be gentle. If you use an abrasive cleanser or scrub too hard, you can rub off some of the paint’s finish. Warm water and a weak solution of mild dish soap should remove most dirt. Using less soap is always better since you’ll have less to rinse. Any soapy residue left on a wall will attract and trap dirt.
6. Wash Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
Remove cooking residue and other stains by thoroughly washing the painted areas of kitchen and bathroom surfaces several times a year. The walls in rooms used by a smoker or with a wood-burning fireplace should be cleaned more frequently to remove smoke stains.
7. Clean High-Traffic Areas Frequently
Even if you don’t wash an entire room or wall, the areas around light switches, door knobs, and other high-contact surfaces should be wiped clean frequently to prevent permanent staining.
Paint Finish and Cleaning Tips
It’s safe to wash glossy finishes, and most modern flat and satin paints are also washable but always test in an inconspicuous spot first. If the paint chalks off, don’t continue washing. A paint’s finish or sheen determines what approach is needed for cleaning.
Flat or Matte finishes require a very gentle approach. Too much rubbing or cleaning can mar the paint film. Removing dirt or stains from low-sheen surfaces can be difficult which is why they are best used in low traffic areas.
Eggshell and Satin require a gentle touch but are much easier to clean than flat or matte finishes. New spills and dirt can usually be wiped clean with little effort.
Semi-Gloss and High Gloss finishes can handle more vigorous cleaning, which is why they are frequently used in kitchens and bathrooms. These finishes are more stain-resistant and can take a more forceful cleaning if necessary.
When Should I Repaint?
Despite your best efforts, cleaning and minor touch ups won’t be enough at some point. Here are a few signs that it may be time for a new paint job:
- The paint sheen is damaged
- Scuffs and dirt aren’t easy to remove
- Your walls have permanent stains
- Your paint looks old and faded
- You’re ready for a new color scheme
Trust the Local Painting Professionals
The benefits of hiring a professional painter are numerous. You’ll save time, energy, and money. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing the work was done safely and professionally. By hiring local painting professionals, you’ll benefit from their expertise and support your local community at the same time.
Mr. Mole’s Painting LLC offers a variety of interior and exterior painting services for both commercial and residential properties. We provide in-person and virtual quotes for your convenience. Contact us today at (218) 368-2560 to discuss your needs. We look forward to working with you.