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Cleaning Your Painted Walls

Henry Weber • Apr 10, 2019

Pittsburgh painters share their spring-cleaning tips.

Spring is a time of renewal. And so, begins the wonderful time of year when we open the windows, shake out the rugs and start cleaning our painted walls. With a years’ worth of hand-prints and dust adding a new shade to your home’s interior, it’s time to rid your house of any dirt and grime that’s collected over time. The Pittsburgh painters of MasterBrush Painting know a lot about paint. This April, they’re sharing some tips of their own tips to help wash away the last twelve months’ worth of stains so you can start your spring off with a brighter, cleaner interior.

Step 1. Assessing the Types of Paint Used in Your Home.Painted Walls Pittsburgh

Not all paint is created equal, thus some paints need cleaned differently. Semi-gloss paint or glossy enamel paint wash easily. Satin, flat and eggshell latex versions, well, not so much. While you routinely take a rag with soapy water to your kiddo’s semi-gloss walls, you’ll want to clean satin, flat and eggshell latex walls very gently and less frequently. If you can wait, once a year should be just fine.

Step 2: Dust.

While cleaning the walls seems like quite the chore, we must first note that dusting your painted walls first is a very important step to cleaning. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to wipe down the walls from top to bottom, ridding them of any dust and cobwebs that naturally adhere over time.

Step 3. Grab a Drop Cloth or Old Sheet

When you clean your walls with any sort of water or cleaning solution, you want to be able to clean freely without the fear of soaking your floors. Save your floors by using an old sheet or drop cloth and lay it across the floor so it can soak up the residual water splashing or dripping down the walls

Step 4: Use a Mild Cleaner

When cleaning your walls, you won’t need anything special – mild dish soap and water should do the job. If you moved into a new home or you have a stain that just won’t budge, dilute some ammonia, vinegar or baking soda in water. Be sure to ventilate your home when using ammonia due to its noxious smell. And NEVER mix with it bleach. In fact, don’t use bleach on your any of your walls as it can permanently damage the paint. Only use ammonia, vinegar or baking soda for the really tough jobs and never use a scrub brush or abrasive sponge as it could cause the paint to peel.

Step 5: Dry the Walls

As you move from section to section, use a clean towel and dry each section thoroughly. This will ensure you’re truly wiping them clean and further avoid any “runny” water stains left behind from soapy water.

Have a question about your painted walls? Do they need a fresh coat? The Pittsburgh painters of MasterBrush Painters are here for all your paint questions. Call us at 724-260-0486!

Author: Henry Weber


Before starting Master Brush Painting in 1981, Henry worked at one of the top painting companies in Pittsburgh where he learned the trade from world-renowned experts. Since then expertise has satisfied clients in Pittsburgh and surrounding area as well as earning him awards such as the Angie's List Super Service Award.

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