How to Properly Clean your Painted Walls

Cleaning painted walls is not a job you should ignore, but nor is it one to be taken lightly. As with all home maintenance, there is a right and wrong way to look after paintwork. If you put your time and energy to good use, repainting is not something you will have to worry about as often.

The short answer: To clean painted walls, dust them first, then wipe gently with a soft sponge and warm water mixed with a few drops of dish soap. Rinse with clean water and dry with a towel. Avoid bleach, abrasive scrubbers, and harsh chemicals, which can dull, discolor, or remove paint, especially on flat and eggshell finishes.

Can You Use Bleach on Painted Walls?

In most cases, you should avoid using bleach on painted walls. Bleach can lighten or discolor paint, especially colored paint, and it can dull or break down the finish over time. It also won’t clean everyday dirt and grease any better than mild soap and water.

The main exception is mildew. If you have small mildew spots on a white, semi-gloss surface such as a bathroom wall or ceiling, a diluted bleach solution can be used carefully. Test it in a hidden spot first, wear gloves, keep the room well ventilated, rinse the area with clean water afterward, and never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. If mildew keeps coming back, the real problem is usually moisture. See our tips on preventing mildew.

Does bleach strip paint?

Household bleach won’t strip paint off a wall the way a chemical paint stripper does, but it can fade the color, leave blotchy spots, and weaken the finish. Repeated use can make the paint more likely to wear through or peel.

Dry the Walls

Once you finish washing a section, towel-dry it before moving on. Letting soapy water air-dry can leave streaks and watermarks, especially on darker colors and flatter finishes.

Paint Type and Care Needs

When you want to create a particular effect or meet the needs of a room, you choose a specific type of paint. Each type of paint, therefore, requires a different approach to maintenance. The finish, or sheen, makes the biggest difference in how much cleaning your walls can handle. Learn more about the differences in our guide to paint luster.

• Semi-gloss and gloss: The most durable and easiest to clean, which is why these finishes are used on trim, doors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
• Satin: Holds up well to gentle washing and is a popular choice for high-traffic areas like hallways and kids’ rooms.
• Eggshell: Can be cleaned gently, but scrubbing can leave shiny or dull spots.
• Flat and matte: The most delicate. Spot clean only, with a soft cloth and plain water or a very mild soap solution.

If you scrub flat or eggshell walls regularly or too hard, you can damage the paintwork. For these finishes, spot cleaning as needed is better than washing whole walls often.

How to Clean Painted Walls Step by Step

1. Dust the walls first. Use a duster, microfiber cloth, or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove loose dust and cobwebs.
2. Protect your floors. Lay down towels or drop cloths along the base of the wall.
3. Mix a mild cleaning solution. A few drops of dish soap in a bucket of warm water works for most walls.
4. Test a hidden spot. Try the solution on an inconspicuous area first, like behind furniture, to make sure it doesn’t affect the finish.
5. Wash gently from top to bottom. Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth that is damp, not dripping, and work in small sections.
6. Rinse. Wipe each section with a second cloth dampened with clean water to remove soap residue.
7. Dry. Towel-dry each section to prevent streaks.

Dust Walls First

You may end up doing more harm than good if you do not prepare your painted walls for cleaning. Any surface dust can turn to muddy streaks once it gets wet, adding to the dirt that is making paintwork appear dull. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to remove dust and other debris that can stick to the surface of walls over time. Once you have removed the top layer of grime, cleaning will prove much more effective.

Protect Your Floors

In the great circle of painting life, all things return to their beginnings. In other words, it is time to get the dust sheets out to protect your floors and furniture again. You don’t want to worry about damaging floors, furniture or other household items when washing paintwork. Take the time to cover everything so you can work safely in the knowledge that there is no risk of anything getting covered in dirty water.

Mild Cleaners

Keep your cleaners mild wherever possible. Dish soap will suffice in the large majority of cases. For stubborn stains, a paste of baking soda and water applied gently with a soft cloth, or a solution of white vinegar diluted in warm water, will lift most marks without harming the paint.

Avoid coarse scrubbing brushes and abrasive pads when removing stains. You may eventually manage to shift the stain, but the paint will likely go with it. Make sure your home is well ventilated while you clean.

Important safety note: Never mix cleaning products, and never combine ammonia with bleach. The combination releases toxic fumes that are dangerous to breathe.

When It’s Time to Repaint Instead

If all else fails, a fresh coat of paint may be the only way to revitalize your walls. Small scuffs and marks can often be fixed with easy paint touch-ups, but walls with widespread stains, worn spots, or dull patches from years of scrubbing usually look best repainted. Choosing a washable finish like satin for high-traffic rooms will make future cleaning much easier. Here’s more on how to extend the life of your interior paint job.

The Arizona Painting Company

At the Arizona Painting Company, our team of painting experts has a strong belief in the integrity of workmanship offered to customers. Whether you need a single room refreshed or full interior painting, we’ll help you choose the right paint and finish for how you live, so your walls stay clean and look great for years to come. Get a free quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a Magic Eraser on painted walls?

Melamine sponges like Magic Erasers are mildly abrasive. They can remove scuffs from semi-gloss and satin finishes, but they can leave shiny or worn spots on flat and eggshell paint. Use light pressure and test a hidden area first.

Can you use vinegar to clean painted walls?

Yes. A solution of white vinegar diluted in warm water is safe for most painted walls and works well on grease and grime. Wipe with clean water afterward and dry the area.

How often should you clean painted walls?

Dust walls every few months and spot clean marks as they happen. Most homes only need a full wall washing once a year, with kitchens and high-traffic areas needing more frequent attention.