Beautiful walls can significantly enhance the look of any room. But, no matter how striking or well decorated they are, dirt or stains on them can make your home look unkempt. Generally, the walls are very low maintenance. But, getting dirt and stains on them can’t be avoided especially if you have kids or pets around. The natural dirt and dust from the outside can also build up over it in time and make it look grimy. That’s why like every other part of your home, your walls also need regular maintenance to keep them looking new. After all the money and effort you spent painting and decorating them, surely you would want to keep them looking great along with the rest of your home. So, here are some tips to keep your walls looking as fresh as the day they were painted.
When dirt and dust accumulate on your walls, they make it look dull and they also make the life of your wall paint shorter. To get rid of the dirt, dust, and cobwebs and prevent them from building up, regularly dust or vacuum your walls. Use soft dusters or a microfiber dust cloth with a long handle to avoid damaging your wall. If you’re using a vacuum, use the soft brush attachment and vacuum gently without scrubbing the vacuum against the wall. Concentrate on areas that are more exposed to dirt or the high-traffic areas. And don’t forget to also clean the ceilings and prevent dirt from building up there.
One of the most common things that make marks on walls is dirty fingerprints or handprints. Sometimes, we just don’t notice that we’re wiping off the dirt from our hands onto the walls and it’s too late when we notice. To avoid cleaning your wall and washing them every so often because of these stains, be more conscious of where you land those dirty paws. If you have kids in the house, keep their little mittens clean both for their sake and the sake of your home. If you have dogs, try training them not to rub onto the walls especially after bath time.
Prevention is better than cure. This statement works with your walls too. Before you incur any ugly holes on your wall, be careful when moving things around your home especially heavy furniture. Keep an eye on that table edge. Or make sure that the doorknob doesn’t hit the wall. Also, avoid any activities such as rough ball sports that are a danger not only to your walls but to the rest of the furniture inside the home. This way, you could avoid the hassle of conducting a surprise wall repair.
Sometimes, accidents are just really unavoidable. When they happen though, repair the damage immediately and don’t just let it sit for a day or two. For instance, if someone accidentally spills coffee or other drinks on your walls, clean it up immediately with a gentle cleanser to avoid having a permanent stain. If you accidentally scrape your wall, sand it and repaint over the area. The same goes when you notice the first signs of leakage. This way, these damages won’t accumulate and you’ll be able to enjoy fresh walls even after an accident.
Poor insulation and air circulation problems can cause wall condensation which creates stains known as thermal tracking stains. They commonly appear like mold in vertical lines or streaks on the walls. But, they’re simply soot or dust. This happens when the house is full of moisture and warmer than the walls. When the damp air touches a cool spot on the wall, the moisture lands on the wall and soot and dust sticks to the spot. This can be avoided by making sure you have proper insulation and air circulation in the house. You should also check on other heating appliances and make sure they’re functioning properly to avoid releasing excessive heat to the air.
Your bathroom and kitchen walls are the walls that easily get the dirtiest. That’s why it’s ideal for you to deep clean them at least two to three times a year. Wash the walls and make sure to remove all residues of cooking and showers. To avoid having buildups, do a simple wipe down of these walls from time to time to get the cooking and shower gunk off. It’s important you keep these walls clean because these places are prone to moisture and thus prone to molds as well.
Once a year or every two years, schedule a deep clean for your walls. Dust them off properly. Then, gently wash them with a gentle cleanser. If you can, try making your own cleaner at home to avoid using the harsh commercial ones that can easily damage your wall paint. If you find any stains or stubborn dirt build-ups, try removing it with a mixture of vinegar and water. Before you start wiping the whole wall down, remember to test your cleaning solution on a small corner first to make sure it won’t react badly with your wall. Then, work from top to bottom in gentle circular motions. Afterward, rinse and dry your wall to make it new again.