It’s spring time and the weather is finally brightening up and many people take this time to brighten up their homes as well!
As you go through your spring cleaning routine, do you ever clean your walls? Many experts recommend that walls get a good dusting once a year or so to help keep paint looking good.
Cleaning your walls doesn’t have to be a big project. If your walls just need a good dusting – yes, dust does collect on walls– you can remove it with the handheld attachment on most vacuum cleaners. You don’t have to do this every time you vacuum. Once or twice a year is about right for most homes.
Can you really make your paint look better just by dusting?
Yes! Dust makes paint look dull and in extreme cases can even work as as abrasive element and wear down paint. An annual dusting can both make your paint look better, and possibly extend it’s life.
How to Clean Wall Marks
If you have marks on your walls, you want to use the least abrasive cleaning method possible, especially if you have a flat, satin, or eggshell finish. Paint is more prone to rub off with aggressive cleaning methods on these finishes.
Your best bet is to use warm water and soft sponge – one that does not have a scrubber on it. Lightly rub the walls in a circular motion. Wipe the walls dry with paper towel. If you have a stubborn mark, try using a mixture of one quarter cup of baking soda to one gallon of warm water. Again, rub in a circular pattern and try not to scrub too hard.
How to Clean Kitchen Grease Stains
Grease stains in the kitchen don’t require a lot of elbow grease to remove. Simply use a cellulose sponge – no scrubber! – and undiluted white vinegar. Wipe down the spots and pat dry. Vinegar should also work to remove grease from cabinet doors and appliances as well.
Don’t Forget Your Baseboards
Don’t forget to wipe down the baseboards. They often take more wear and tear than the walls, so wiping them down a few times a year may not be a bad idea to help keep your home looking fresh. As a first step, go over them with a vacuum brush attachment or use a stiff broom to grab the first layer of dust. Next, wipe them clean with your warm water and vinegar mixture. Follow up by drying them off with a clean cloth. Bonus tip: Swipe them with a dryer sheet to reduce dust in the future.
If you have a gloss or semi-gloss finish you can be a little more aggressive when you clean, but still use circular motions and don’t press too hard. Proceed with caution if you decide to use an “eraser” product. These items are actually sanding agents and will remove paint or damage a gloss finish if not used carefully.
If you’ve decided your walls need more than a good cleaning, give Three Brothers a call! One of our estimators will come to your use and provide a free quote for our painting services.