As we go about our daily lives, we often overlook the unsightly marks and stains that accumulate on our doors and walls. Particularly if you have children, it's almost inevitable that they'll leave their mark with dirty hands and crayons. To revitalize your living space and create a clean and welcoming atmosphere, it's essential to invest some time and effort into cleaning your walls.
Practical tips to clean your walls and doors
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies:
Before embarking on your wall-cleaning journey, assemble the necessary supplies to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Prepare a bucket filled with water and add a few drops of hand-dishwashing liquid. This mild solution will help dissolve grime and grease without damaging your paint or wallpaper. Additionally, gather soft, clean rags or microfiber cloths for wiping, as well as a few Magic Erasers for stubborn stains.
Cleaning Method:
- Dust off the walls and doors to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Dip a clean rag into the soapy water and wring it out to avoid excessive moisture.
- Wipe down the walls and doors from top to bottom, paying special attention to high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.
- Don't forget to clean the baseboards, as they can accumulate dust and scuff marks over time.
I have discovered that using 409 cleaner is an excellent solution for touch-up cleaning, particularly for removing pesky fingerprints from doorframes.
Involving the Kids:
Cleaning walls can be a family-friendly activity. Engage your kids by turning it into a fun challenge. Assign them specific areas or walls to clean and provide them with age-appropriate cleaning tools. By involving them, not only will you get the job done faster, but it will also teach them about responsibility and the importance of keeping their surroundings clean.
Removing Stubborn Marks:
For more stubborn stains like crayon marks, pen marks, or makeup smudges, the Magic Eraser comes to the rescue. These erasers work wonders on a variety of surfaces and can make seemingly impossible stains disappear with ease. Gently rub the Magic Eraser over the stain, but be cautious not to apply too much pressure, as it might remove paint or wallpaper in extreme cases. Always test it on an inconspicuous spot before using it on the stain.
Additional Tips:
- For painted walls, avoid using abrasive materials like scouring pads or steel wool, as they can damage the paint finish.
- If your walls are made of delicate materials like silk or grasscloth, consult the manufacturer's guidelines or consider hiring a professional cleaner to avoid any damage.
- To maintain cleaner walls in the future, encourage family members to wash their hands regularly, especially after meals or outdoor activities.
Cleaning your walls and doors is an essential but often overlooked task that can significantly enhance the overall appearance and cleanliness of your home. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to tackle even the most stubborn stains and make your walls look as good as new. Whether you involve your kids or make it a solo project, the results will leave you feeling accomplished and your home looking fresh and inviting.
Debbie Dozier says
This article was very helpful. I look forward to reading more.
ashok says
Thanks for the information – it’s on stumbleupon and delicious.
Only one thing: if you’re using latex paint, won’t soap and water damage the paint of your walls?
Melinda says
Most latex paint will hold up to a gentle cleaning. You don’t have to scrub much to get a scuff off…especially with that Magic Eraser which is just a miracle.
water damage says
If you need someone to write a guest post at your site at some point, please let me know, I totally agree with most of the stuff you wrote and it’s very a insteresting topic!
Architects Seattle says
Mr. Clean sponges seem to work well for getting marks off the walls without removing much of the paint.
Barbara Rivera says
I will definetely try them, thanks for advise so helpful for a happy wife and mother!
Harry says
Very helpful article. It is short but it sends out its message clearly across the audience. Cleaning walls and doors is something a lot of us typically neglect and it’s time for us to start paying more attention,
Renae Risser says
Thanks for these tips! I have plenty of dirty marks on the walls of our house so I am actually looking for an effective to get rid of them.
Hope you could post more home cleaning tips. Would love to learn more from you!
Jane Forrington says
Great tip for cleaning up the mess which kids spread around. I tried it and added some drops of lightly scented disinfectant and it worked great.
Sonya Horchler says
These are very helpful tips! I really need these because the walls around our house are already full of stains and stubborn marks. I will try to use these tips this week and see how it goes.
Thank you so much for sharing. Will definitely come back for more. 🙂