How to Wash Walls With Flat Paint
Most rooms are painted with alkyd or latex paint because these types of paint are both durable and washable. They come in a variety of finishes, including flat. These paints are designed for easy application and maintenance.
When washing walls with flat paint, you will need to take extra care to make sure that the paint is not damaged in the process. You can effectively and safely remove stains and dirt with a gentle soap detergent without damaging your walls.
Things You Will Need
- 2 sponges
- 2 buckets
- Water
- Dish detergent
- Dry cloths
Tip
Wait 30 days after walls have been painted before you attempt to wash them. Washing the walls too soon could damage the painted surface.
Warning
Paint pigment rub-off easily occurs when painted walls are scrubbed too harshly.
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Remove dust from your walls. Use a feather duster or a vacuum with an attachment to remove all dust particles.
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Fill two buckets with warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap to one bucket of water and leave the other bucket full of plain water. Put one sponge in each bucket.
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Remove the sponge from the plain water and squeeze it into the bucket to remove the excess water.
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Rub the wall with the sponge. Rub in gentle, circular motions to avoid removing any of the flat paint on the wall. Plain water may remove many of the stains on the wall. If not, proceed to using the bucket with soapy water in Step 5.
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Remove the sponge from the bucket filled with dish detergent. Squeeze the excess water into the bucket.
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Rub the painted wall with the soapy sponge, starting on the lower portion of the wall and working your way up. This avoids dirty soapy water from running down to the floor. Rub with gentle, circular motions to avoid ruining the paint's pigment.
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Rinse the wall with plain water. After rinsing, wipe down any extra moisture with a soft cloth or towel.
The Drip Cap
- Most rooms are painted with alkyd or latex paint because these types of paint are both durable and washable.
- Fill two buckets with warm water.
- Remove the sponge from the bucket filled with dish detergent.
- Rub with gentle, circular motions to avoid ruining the paint's pigment.
Writer Bio
Lucy Bowles is an avid freelance writer from Indianapolis. She has written for various websites since 2009. As a certified paralegal Bowles has worked in the areas of business, intellectual property and entertainment law. She has a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in legal studies from Indiana University.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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