You often give special attention to the kitchen and bathroom when you do your regular cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting.
Yet, cleaning walls is sometimes overlooked. They may not look particularly dirty at first glance, but over time they will accumulate dirt and grime from small hands, dog paws, and everyday grit and dust.
We guarantee that once you master the art of wall cleaning, you will be astounded by the amount of grime it is possible to remove.
Even a different color of paint could be revealed upon closer inspection, particularly if you get down to touching level. You’ll be able to spot maintenance and repairs far more easily when you clean your home on a regular basis.
Quick and simple method for removing dust from walls
Good dusting is the first step in quickly removing dirt from walls. To get rid of dust:
- If you want to clean the walls in your home, you can use a vacuum hose with a brush attachment to do the job.
- To clean smooth walls, use a flat mop with a detachable cleaning cloth.
- You can remove dust and dirt from any wall with a microfiber dusting cloth, cheesecloth, or tack cloth.
How to use a flat mop to dust and wipe down walls
A flat mop fitted with a disposable dry dusting cloth is yet another simple option for keeping your walls dust-free. Using a dry Swiffer or equivalent is fine.
- Use a clean dusting cloth on the mop’s flat end.
- Begin at the top as you go down
- To dust a wall, place the dusting cloth flat against the wall and gently drag it down the whole wall.
- After dusting a certain area, move the mop to overlap that area and then dust again.
- Switch to a new cloth when the old one becomes too dirty, and so forth.
- After dusting the wall, you may want to vacuum off the baseboards, molding, and trim because they aren’t usually flat.
The vacuum cleaner’s role in removing wall dust
Using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner is a quick and easy way to clean the walls. Debris removal is the first stage in cleaning walls, whether your goal is to get rid of pet hair and dust or to wash the walls.
- Attach your vacuum brush tool to the hose. Check that it is clean and devoid of hair.
- Set the vacuum to “hose” mode.
- Begin at the top as you go down
- Dust the walls by turning on the vacuum and using short, light brush strokes.
What to clean interior walls with
If you want to clean your interior walls effectively, having the correct equipment is important, just like for any home improvement project. These items will help you clean your walls, whether they are wallpapered or painted, whether you are performing routine maintenance or need to freshen up high-traffic areas quickly:
- Bucket
- White vinegar
- The use of gentle liquid soap for dishwashing
- A vacuum with long hoses and a brush attachment for cleaning up pet hair
- Lint-free white cloths
- Dry sponge
- A brush with a long handle and soft bristles (so that you don’t scratch the walls)
- Rubber or latex gloves
- Electrostatic dusting cloths
- Wallpaper cleaning dough
How to clean exterior walls
Removing stains, moss, and lichen from the exterior of a house is a crucial part of a thorough cleaning. It will serve the dual purpose of improving the home’s curb appeal and protecting it from damage. The value of a home rises, as does its aesthetic quality, when it is adequately maintained.
Pre-cleaning checks
You should do the following before you start washing the walls:
- You should trim back any shrubs or plants leaning on the walls or overhanging the yard.
- Clearing the gutters
- Inspect the mortar to ensure the integrity of the rock or bricks. Give it a week to dry out after any repairs before washing it.
- Do a visual inspection of the outside molding, roof, and windows and make a list of any necessary fixes.
Scrubbing down the exterior walls in preparation for painting
In addition to routine upkeep and aesthetics, painting is a common reason for homeowners to consider thoroughly cleaning their homes.
Before painting the exterior, removing any stains, moss, lichen, or dirt is essential. If you don’t do that, the paint won’t cover or protect your property well.
- Remove dirt, leaves, and spider webs by sweeping the area.
Remove any dry pollution, such as dirt, dust, and cobwebs, to prevent them from spreading across the walls. Make use of a brush or broom.
- Use a gentle dish detergent and a brush
Soak the walls in water with a mild detergent that is suitable for the material and paint on the walls. Brush away any stains or dirt that have settled in. Use a low-pressure cleaner.
- Give it a good soaking in water
It is best to rinse the external walls with clean water to eliminate residue from the detergent and dirt.
- Allow drying
It’s important to wait until the exterior of the building is completely dry before painting.
Cleaning the wooden exterior walls
Wooden external walls should be washed carefully with a little detergent and water. Both the finish and the wood itself will be protected. Using too much power when washing can cause the paint or wood to chip.
In order to get mildew and filth off of wooden exterior walls, it is best to use a mild detergent or appropriate chemicals, followed by rinsing with a garden hose.
Steps
- Brush the walls to get rid of most of the dust and dirt.
- Use a rug or sponge and some mild detergent.
To clean the walls and paint:
- Dilute the chemical solution or detergent.
- Clean the walls like you mean it.
- Use a low-pressure cleaner instead.
- Use clean water to rinse
It is best to use clean water to rinse the external surfaces. This will help eliminate residue from the detergent and dirt.
Exterior brick wall cleaning
It might not be as difficult as you think to clean the exterior brick walls of your home. Yet, brick can be porous; even after being sealed, its joints may be susceptible to water pressure.
You can use a sponge or brush to clean the exterior of a wooden structure, but brick is typically too rough. Many homeowners risk structural damage by using high-pressure equipment on brick.
Cleaning brickwork and brick joints is best accomplished with a mild detergent and low-pressure cleaner.
Is there a recommended schedule for washing external walls?
There is no easy answer to this question. Knowing how often you should wash the external walls of your home can be just as difficult.
Yet, if you want to keep things straightforward, a closer inspection of nature is in order. You can tell how much dust is on the walls by rubbing your finger across the surface. And if you notice some mold on your walls or algae, that’s another sign to indicate something needs to be done.
The general rule of thumb is to wash the walls once a year. Some people do it once a week, while others wait until their home is dirty before cleaning it.
Exterior washing should occur multiple times a year if your home is on a dirt road or there has been recent construction in the neighborhood. It’s important to ensure that a full house cleaning takes place. Avoid going overboard with it.
The best thing to wash walls with
Scrub the dirt using a damp sponge, warm water, baking soda, and dish soap. The dish soap should be effective enough to remove dirt from oil-based paint. In addition, the baking soda will function as a gentle abrasive.
Can I use a mop to wash walls?
Using a mop to clean the walls may seem strange, but it is the most effective instrument for the task. You may also find wall mops made of microfiber to speed up the cleaning process.
The Features You Should Look for in a Wall Mop
- Extendable Handle
Try to find a mop with a telescopic handle that you can extend to reach higher places.
Try to get handles that go up to at least 5 feet in height. For the most part, its reach will be sufficient for cleaning tasks.
Thanks to the handle’s adjustability, you can reach high walls without straining your arms.
- Large mop head
If you’re mopping the walls, a mop with a big mop head is best. Since more ground might be covered in less time, there will be an increase in productivity.
- Pivoting mop head
Cleaning crevices, corners, and other hard-to-reach places can be easier with a mop with a swivel or pivoting head. Finishing the job with a mop that doesn’t have a pivoting head takes more time and effort.
Most cleaning jobs can be done with a mop with a 90-degree pivoting head, but the extra range of motion that comes with a 180- or 360-degree swivel is welcome.
- Weight
A lightweight mop is preferable for cleaning walls because you will have to raise it high.
You’ll have a hard time if the mop weighs too much. There is also the potential for injury when lifting a heavy mop above your head.
Get your wall simply clean
The simplest approaches often yield the best results when cleaning walls. Get started by dusting or damp-wiping down the walls.
In most cases, a flat mop is preferable to a string mop. This is because it can clean more of the wall in one sweep, although a string mop will serve in an emergency.
