Now that you are spending more time at home, you have probably started to notice the state your walls are in, among other features around your property. If you have discovered dingy and scuffed walls, this is certainly not acceptable, and it’s a pretty big sign that your walls need some tender love and care. But do not panic; there is something that can remedy this predicament of yours. And you are in luck because today, we will be sharing with you just how to clean walls with flat paint.
So you have some very unattractive walls at home, we’ve all been there, with time painting on the walls becomes dirty and deteriorate. But it is not as bad as it sounds; though flat paint walls can be difficult to clean, it is a common issue that can be taken care of with the right care.
Walls with flat paint need special care, and if you are not sure of what you are doing, you may end up causing even more damage to the finish of your walls. Having your walls and other parts of your home clean will make space feel tidier and more appealing. So now that you know the importance of cleaning your flat paint walls let’s find out the correct way on how to clean walls with flat paint.
Flat Paint FAQ’s
What is flat paint?
Flat paint is one of the most used paint finishes. It is characterized by having more pigment than any other finish, which is why it also receives concealer paint or matte paint. This paint doesn’t reflect light, and since it is completely non-reflective, it is good for hiding imperfections in ceilings and accent walls.
Flat paint is also considered easier to apply than other finishes, and it also usually a cheaper option.
How do you know if you have flat paint walls?
Now that you know what flat paint is, this will help you determine if you have flat paint walls at home. You can say you have walls with flat paint if they don’t reflect light at all, even from an angle. In other words, the paint will soak up any light directed at it.
When is a good idea to use flat paint?
You want to use flat paint on walls and areas with a lot of imperfections, such as bumps, scratches, or holes. This way, you will conceal the blemishes easily and achieve a matte finish. It is suitable for low-traffic rooms with a ton of light, like offices, and more formal rooms, like dining rooms.
When is not a good idea to use flat paint?
If you are embarking on a paint project, do not pick flat paint if you are working on bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms because it’s the hardest to clean. So stay away from high-traffic areas.
Why is flat paint the hardest to clean?
Flat paint is not resistant to moisture; in other words, it won’t detract water like higher gloss paint, so cleaning it can leave behind awful streaks that, in the end, will make a dirty wall seem worse.
Benefits of flat paint
- Flat or matte paint delivers a smooth, subtle look and shows minimal sheen when dry since it absorbs light.
- Because it offers good coverage, flat finishes can cover blemishes and imperfections caused by poor quality work done by contractors.
- Using flat paint keeps these minor imperfections from being so noticeable.
The downside of flat paint
With the good comes the bad; flat paint tends to get a smudge or scuff rather quickly and isn’t very durable. For this reason, the last thing you want to do is apply harsh chemicals to dirty flat paint walls; you will probably end up causing more harm and will not get the results you were hoping for.
How to Clean Walls with Flat Paint
It is possible to clean flat paint; you need to use extra care.
Materials you’ll need:
- Vacuum
- Warm water
- Clean rag or soft cloth
- Mild detergent
- Vinegar
- Cleaning pad or eraser
- Towels
- Vacuum the wall in question. With the hose and brush attachments features from your vacuum, use long vertical sweeps to avoid streaking. Alternatively, you can use a clean dust mop or a dusting cloth.
- Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 1 tbsp. Mild dish detergent and 1 gallon of warm water. If you don’t have detergent, vinegar has been proven to work.
- Using a regular brush, wash the wall completely, applying long, vertical strokes so that any streaks are uniform and less noticeable.
- Focus on the stained areas by cleaning with a magic eraser sponge. Before touching the wall, squeeze as much water from the sponge as possible. To cover any streaks trace, wash with vertical movements like you did with the regular sponge. Very important to remember to be gentle when applying pressure to the stains; you do not want to remove the paint’s finish. Keep stroking until the stain is removed.
- Go back to the regular sponge and rinse the entire wall.
- Utilize clean towels to dry your wall and remove as much moisture as possible.
Alternative ways on how to clean walls with flat paint
Touch it up. In some cases, touching the paint up and covering the stain is easier than cleaning it off.
Repaint. If all else fails, try repainting in a different finish. Especially in high-traffic areas, changing to an eggshell finish will make your life a lot simpler.
Additional Tips on how to clean walls with flat paint
- It is essential to clean dirt and stains from flat paint walls as quickly as possible. The longer you wait, the harder the walls are to return to a clean state.
- Sometimes, water is all you need to remove stains, this way avoiding using any cleaning products. This is most likely to occur if you tackle wall-stains asap.
- For especially stubborn wall stains, you want to purchase a gentle foam cleanser and follow the instructions.
- If you still have some of the original wall paint, get a brush and might as well do a touch-up; this will cover the stained area for good. You could also opt to repaint the whole thing with a new, more durable finish.
Another interesting read for you is How to Clean a Polyester Couch, and certainly taking care of your furry friend, by learning How to Clean Dog Teeth without Brushing.