Are your walls looking dingy or dull? Can’t figure out how to erase the permanent marker stain from your three-year-old’s art project?
As a cleaning company serving Bucks County for over ten years, we know that it’s important to clean your walls to keep your house looking fresh and bright. Whether you want to start cleaning your walls as part of your weekly routine or you need to remove that crayon mess before company arrives tonight, we have you covered with these simple methods.
General Cleaning
Add washing your walls to your regular cleaning routine. Regular maintenance cleaning will prevent the buildup of dirt on your walls. Before cleaning your walls, determine whether they are painted with latex paint or oil-based paint because these different paint formulas require different cleaning methods.
For walls coated with latex paint, use a soft sponge dipped in a mixture of warm water and an all-purpose cleaner that is also non-abrasive. Wet the sponge, and then wring it until it is only damp. Gently wash the wall using a rubbing motion, being careful to avoid contact with electrical outlets and light switch plates. Once the wall has been washed with soap, take a second sponge and dip it in warm, soap-free water. Wring it out and clean the walls again to remove traces of soap and thoroughly remove dirt.
If your walls are painted with oil-based paint, the process is exactly the same, with the exception of the cleaning solutions used. Instead of water and all-purpose cleaner, use a detergent solution of four parts dish detergent to one part vinegar (you won’t need a large amount of cleaner, so use it sparingly) and clean in the same gentle manner, making sure to wash the wall with a wet, detergent-free sponge after.
Cleaning Grimy Spots
For walls that have noticeably grimy problem spots from fingerprints or shoe scuffs, wash your walls in the manner described above, then deploy this special spot treatment. Add baking soda to water until they mix into a firm paste. Dab the paste onto a soft, non-abrasive sponge and rub the grime away from the wall. You can also use white vinegar and water on these spots, especially if baking soda isn’t quite cutting it.
For stains on painted woodwork, wipe the affected area with rubbing alcohol using a cotton pad or ball.
Cleaning Permanent Marker and Crayon
Young artists frequently get a little carried away with the magic marker or crayon. If your small children have drawn their latest masterpiece on your kitchen walls, try to remain calm and follow this guide for getting marker and crayon stains out of your walls.
Usually, crayon is easy to remove. To get rid of crayon stains, first gently scratch away the excess waxy buildup with a steel wool pad. Then, you have a few options for cleaning solutions. Depending on what you have on hand, use a damp rag dipped in baking soda, non-gel toothpaste or WD-40 to rub away the crayon stain (do a patch test on a hidden part of the wall first to make sure there are no adverse effects). You can also gently scrub the crayon with a toothbrush dipped in white vinegar. Don’t use a pencil eraser to remove the crayon stain, as the rubber will only smear the wax around, creating a bigger mess.
It is notoriously difficult to remove permanent marker stains, but you’re not without hope. The best option for getting rid of permanent market stains is rubbing alcohol. Apply the rubbing alcohol to the market stain, and let it dry for thirty seconds (you can also try hand sanitizer). However, this method is not always effective. If marker is soaked in, you’ll have to cover it up. To do so, apply a spot primer to the marker stain and let it dry for 24 hours. Apply a second coat if the stain remains largely visible. Once the primer is dry, sand the stain with a sanding sponge and carefully wipe off any dust with a clean, damp towel. Then, paint over the area with matching paint and let it dry.
If you still have issues with stain removal, we can help. Call Minch Professional Cleaning LLC to learn more about our residential cleaning services in Bucks County.
