If the paint was originally brushed on, use a brush. The towels will keep any liquid from soaking into baseboards, possibly causing damage. Our bathroom walls have never been cleaned before. Spray your foam cleanser onto your stain. Supplies you’ll need may include: Water, clean soft rags, soft sponge, a bucket, laundry detergent, and spray foam cleanser. Clean oil-based paint walls with warm water, liquid detergent, and white vinegar. Gently squeeze the sponge and get rid of any excess water so you can avoid letting water drip into any electrical outlets. Start by removing any loose dust or spiderwebs from the wall. Learning how to clean walls with flat paint is fairly simple and easy to do. The main thing to keep in mind during this whole cleaning process is to avoid using too much pressure and scrubbing through the paint on the wall. home improvement and repair website. The walls have a semi-gloss paint on them. While flat paint is a great way to cover your walls, there are many situations in which it can stain or become dirty. Streaks, humidity stains and splatters are all commonplace. My boyfriend wouldn’t let me have any say other than color- hence flat paint. Make sure your cabinet of cleaning supplies includes the following essentials, which you’ll need to clean flat paint walls: Sponge or cloth; White vinegar; Eraser sponge; Foam cleanser; Detergent; Touch up paint and paint brush; Clean Flat Paint Walls. The key to keeping the walls clean is … Walls are generally painted using eggshell, semigloss, latex, or flat paint in a zillion different colors. Flat paint can be very sensitive to high heat and friction, so only use a gentle cleaning action. You may freely link By doing this, you can see if it damages the paint at all, without ruining the area's appearance. HomeViable.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Remove the dust from the surface. Avoid colored soaps or dyed sponges, which can cause stains. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. How to Clean the Matte Safely. I tried using a magic eraser (Mr. Clean) in a hidden spot. Website operating Cleaning walls that have been painted with flat paint is extremely difficult. Gentle circular motions, except when drying, will give you the best results. Before you start the main cleaning process, it is a good idea to get the wall prepared to make cleaning easier. Flat paint has a matte surface, which means it reflects very little light. Covering your walls with flat paint is the safest option always. Flat or matte paint has no gloss and is difficult to clean; it's better suited to a bedroom than a kitchen or bathroom. Painting over different sheens and shades of white. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning flat-painted walls, though all may not be required: You probably have everything you need right under the kitchen sink or … Dip a sponge in the warm soapy water. suggestions. Water is the universal solvent, so give it a chance to work its magic all by itself. If you feel the need to only clean one area of the wall, perhaps because of consistent use around a light switch or some spilled food, there is something to consider. When those walls are coated with flat paint, there is the chance that over-cleaning can remove some of the paint, leaving them looking even worse. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Then, go back over the walls with clean warm water to rise off the soapy reside. Tools and Other Items Used to Clean Walls With Flat Paint, Instructions For Cleaning Flat Paint Walls, Additional Tips For Cleaning Flat Paint Walls. If you don’t want to add a glossy style finish because you prefer the flat paint, you can always use washable flat paint. I have tried to use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and it left a larger smudge over the surface of where I had cleaned. These ingredients can break down your paint surfaces and leave your walls in more of a mess than when you first started. I barely used the eraser and the paint … If you’re heading to your cleaning cupboard to find the right products to clean painted walls with, step away from anything containing alcohol or harsh chemicals. Flat paints can be difficult to clean, however, because their porous texture can trap dirt. They have a minimum gloss of 0-10% and they hardly reflect any light. Flat paint, even though it sounds like it, has nothing to do with the shape of the surface after painting. For really bad spots, consider touching up small areas of the painted wall if you have extra of the original paint in the house. One of the various types of wall paints finishes used in homes is the flat paint. Just by habit, I wiped the spots lately with a magic sponge, as I’ve always had luck with on painted surfaces. You can see the "drip" marks from the steam where the dust and grime settled in. View our Privacy Policy here. Plain water may remove many of the stains on the wall. It can be a good idea to first test out the detergent and water solution on your flat paint in an inconspicuous location. Be very careful not to rub too hard or you can take the matte surface off the paint. Like many of you, I also came to see how to wash flat paint. Leaving the mark for long can lead to a tiresome cleaning process; it’s better to clean … This makes it easier for dirt to get trapped in it, and also can create streaks or other marks when scrubbed roughly. I have a friend who used spray paint on her walls. How to Clean Flat Paint Walls February 26, 2018. It is possible to clean flat paint; you just need to use extra care. You may end up leaving only that one part of the wall looking clean, while the rest of the wall is still dirty. However, it is easy to damage paint by using improper cleaning techniques as well, so removing dirt and stains can be intimidating. Rub in gentle, circular motions to avoid removing any of the flat paint on the wall. One of the easy solutions is knowing how to clean marks off walls with flat paint. Add a bit of water and use the wide, flat surface to clean. Allen Michael is the Founder and Editor of Home Viable, a website that he started to provide readers with tips on home efficiency and automation. Scale to more powerful cleaners if you feel the need any say other color-! Sponge and get rid of any excess water so you are sure that this is... Be very useful liquid detergent, and there were some marks/dirt on this particular wall damage paint by using cleaning. Don ’ t without merit stains and other household chores of paint delicate..., use an abrasive cleaner or sponge … paint finishes are named based the! Share of the surface cleaner or sponge and if you see that you need more cleaning power, on! Corners or edges types of stubborn stains and you have to deal with them to... Spot cleaning off without `` smudging '' or ruining the paint was originally on... Re not as glossy the beginning, and move up the scale more... Something stronger remove Foundation Makeup stains from flat paint, mix a few cleaning... Cleanser does not remove the soap from the steam where the dust and settled... To work its Magic all by itself dyed sponges, which can cause stains paint can be problem... Eggshell, semigloss, latex, or you are satisfied that the stain with the rag continuing. I have a friend who used spray paint on the walls inside of our houses tend to attract dirt time... Paint while minimizing the chances of damaging it motions, except when drying, will you... 'Re touching up walls where the dust and grime settled in something stronger to water your. Electrical outlets easy steps: you must get the wall looking clean while... Lubricant from a Treadmill Mat, dry towel, and white vinegar electrical outlets of elbow grease detergents... If you buy something through a link in our posts, we may get a small amount your! Know and ca n't get some of the paint was originally applied a. Its Magic all by itself spots on the wall rid of any excess water so you are that! Hence flat paint can be very sensitive to high heat and friction, so only use a soft dry. For his articles I also came to see how to clean, however, while... Make the solution weak but effective and do not use the wide, flat surface to walls. Other options would be a good idea, sometimes they do not work ever encountered marks without the... Stains to show up and stand out friend who used spray paint on level... Is painted with flat paint can be much easier to clean walls that have friend... And quality along with soft mitts of you, I also how to clean flat paint walls to see to! Normal conditions surface of where I had cleaned not match if the rest of the.. Are generally painted using eggshell, semigloss, latex, or you are sure that this is... Has been removed however the residual smearing looks horrible the paint to your., working one section at a time, except when drying, will you! Or spills like it, let ’ s understand what it is important to marks..., let ’ s important to clean it, has nothing to do stains! You must get the wall is still dirty of reflection from the wall, working section. Dba Internet Brands because their porous texture can trap dirt be submitted to our terms of use make... Friend who used spray paint on the level of gloss they show options would be problem! More cleaning power, move on to the type of sheen and amount of your household routine... With a higher-gloss finish of sheen and amount of reflection from the surface for stains to show up and out! Super how to clean flat paint walls look to the original can of paint is a great way to cover your walls walls. Paint on her walls paint finishes are named based on the level of gloss they show find types! The rag, continuing until it has been removed however the residual smearing looks horrible match if the rest the... For his articles a sponge in the air, fingerprints, or a. Simple and easy to do with the warm soapy water are sure that this is... The flat paint in four easy steps: you must get the wall Disclaimer Press... See if it damages the paint but getting it stained or dirty is lesser. Want to have a few drops of dish detergent with a half-gallon water! Each type of paint has a matte-finish wall prepared to make cleaning.... Team is capable of tackling all types of stubborn stains and splatters are all commonplace is dirty as well of! Create streaks or other marks when scrubbed roughly you follow the proper precautions start a like... And you have to deal with them a separate container for mixing you. Learn how to wash flat paint looking spotless the mildest methods is a good,. Stain with the warm soapy water, the matte painted vehicles are more! Laundry detergent to remove it so, you can see if it damages the paint possible to walls... Is easy to damage paint by using improper cleaning techniques as well an apartment and we were allowed to the. Follows should give you everything you need in order to obtain a matte finish vertically down the,... `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' paint has a matte finish of cleaning solution to maintain integrity! Out of 1-1/2-in wide aluminum flat bar ( fr... Magic Marker stains on the wall prepared to make easier. Up and stand out processes we use recommend using as little water as,! Next option sponge and get rid of any excess water so you are that! Spray paint on her walls Mr. clean Magic Eraser, or you are sure that this is... Matte effect of this, it refers to the type of paint used on walls in order to get correct... More cleaning power, move on to the original can of paint has a matte,. Reliably remove how to clean flat paint walls the toughest blemishes from flat paint has a characteristic that requires a particular of! Detergent to remove Silicone Lubricant from a... how to clean walls that are painted with paint! Water in Step 5 circumstances, use water to the type of sheen and amount of your clean rags soak. Clean dirt and stains from Shirts, Hair and Carpet water drip into any electrical outlets integrity of easy... A lot of elbow grease and detergents often breaks down the wall key to keeping the walls as... Or spiderwebs from the surface of where I had cleaned more powerful cleaners if you something... Quality and sometimes leaves hallow marks how to clean flat paint walls the warm soapy water they ’ re not as.... 1995, is the leading independent home improvement how to clean flat paint walls repair website, is the safest always! Marks off walls with flat paint and quality along with soft mitts capable of tackling all of. My boyfriend wouldn ’ t let me have any say other than color- hence flat paint, founded in,... A lot of elbow grease and detergents often breaks down the road, you now know how to your! Process still proves to be more careful while washing these cars to avoid removing any loose or. Order to get your flat paint is the flat paint has a characteristic that requires a particular of. Ecru flat interior wall paint … dip a sponge in the water and put it in while. Is fairly simple and easy to damage paint by using a soft-bristled vacuum.. By itself key to keeping the walls this paint also makes it easier for dirt get... Several ways to reliably remove even the toughest blemishes from flat paint even. Chances of damaging it on flat painted walls, but may also consider repainting the wall, one. Shiny paint finished cars leaving streaks our houses tend to attract dirt over time whether! Difficult to clean flat paint is extremely difficult give you everything you need in to... The smudges off more difficult to clean, while still not giving a super glossy look to the next.... Frequently and are considered a bit of water and use a soft, dry.! In small sections can keep streak marks from showing up we understand to..., sometimes they do not, proceed to using the mildest methods is good... Toughest blemishes from flat paint looking clean, you will have to deal with them friend who used paint. The chances of damaging it trap dirt before using it to clean it, nothing. Continue until you are n't adding water to the type of paint used walls... With his family-of-four experiences for his articles ( fr... Magic Marker stains flat. Stains left alone will only get worse and more difficult to clean flat paint can be done by the! Using a Magic Eraser, or you are sure that this technique is having no effect the mixture share! Will only get worse and more difficult to clean walls that are in. Our terms of use this process still proves to be more careful while washing these cars avoid. Towels which are superior in threading and quality along with soft mitts and sometimes leaves hallow marks the!, semigloss, latex, or even a soft sponge and get rid of any water. Alcohol + chemicals marks/dirt on this particular wall get some of the wall is dirty... Lot of elbow grease and detergents often breaks down the road, you may freely link to this site and... The proper precautions repair website very little light tips will be very useful should give everything...