If you take pride in keeping your home neat and clean, then you know a trick or two for housekeeping. From scrubbing and mopping to hardwood floor care and carpet cleaning, you want to keep your home looking beautiful. But do you know the best way to clean walls? If “wall washing” hasn’t made it to your cleaning checklist, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t even notice our walls like we do horizontal surfaces like floors, counters, and furniture.

But considering how much we touch our walls, especially areas around switch plates and doorways, learning how to wash walls is a skill worth learning. Dust, dirt, and germs can easily build up without regular cleaning. Keeping your walls clean cuts down on the dust that can aggravate asthma and allergies, and washing away dirt and grime makes your home look and feel cleaner. This minimizes the spread of germs and viruses, allowing you to create a healthier environment for your family.

How to Clean Walls with Flat Paint

Duller paint finishes, including flat, satin, and eggshell finishes, are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat painted walls. When washing with a sponge, be sure not to scrub too hard. The sponge should be wrung out almost completely before putting it on the walls.

What You Need

Water

Sponge

Microfiber cloth

Step 1: Wipe Walls

Dampen sponge. Wring out until almost dry. Gently wipe walls.

Step 2: Dry Walls

Wipe walls with a dry microfiber cloth.

How to Clean Walls with Glossy or Semigloss Paint

Because these paints are highly durable, they’re most commonly used in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom. It’s OK to use a mild degreaser on glossy kitchen backsplashes or vanity doors. Although glossy and semigloss paint is durable, it will still scratch, so always use a soft sponge when cleaning walls.

What You Need

Sponge

Dish soap

Water

Microfiber cloth

Step 1: Mix Soap and Water

Add a drop of dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Mix together.

Step 2: Clean Walls

Dampen the sponge in the mixture and wring it out almost completely. Gently wipe walls.

Step 3: Dry Walls

Wipe walls with a dry microfiber cloth.

How to clean crayon off walls

Kids love to turn walls into crayon canvases! The good news is, it comes off pretty easily. Use an old toothbrush dipped in white vinegar to scrub crayon masterpieces away. Alternatively, you can use a wall stain remover such as a Magic Eraser. Just be careful to only use it lightly to prevent damaging the paint.

How to clean smoke off walls

Whether you’re dealing with cigarette smoke discoloration, or you need to know how to clean fire smoke off walls, our Pros have the answers. 

Cigarette smoke can be cleaned using the following mixture:

½ cup ammonia

¼ cup vinegar

½ cup baking soda

1 gallon hot water

Spot-check this mixture first, because it can damage some paint finishes. You can always omit the ammonia for oil-based paint walls, although it may not clean as effectively. 

To clean soot off walls, first vacuum up as much loose soot as possible, then use a specialist solution such as Trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP is an amazing cleaner, but precautions need to be taken when handling it. Always wear long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and appropriate gloves, eye, and respiratory protection. Follow the instructions on the container for best use practices.