Prevent and Remove Stains from Walls

New paint provides a flawless and beautiful finish on your walls. As the paint gets more lived in, it’s easy to let your guard down. The daily and weekly cleanings slow and the stains start to set in. Here is how to prevent and remove stains from walls.

• Wash

The best detergent for cleaning walls is a vinegar and water solution. It will maintain the luster of new paint. Using a damp sponge – not wet – to wipe down the wall. Avoid any harsh sponges or detergents since they could leave scratches in the paint. Magic sponges can remove harsh stains, but also damage paint and finishes. Try to wash the walls down at least seasonally.

• Stain Removal

If you’ve tried the vinegar solution on your stain to no avail, next move up to the cleaning eraser. This sponge is made to remove stains but can scratch into your paint. Go lightly first to see how your paint will react. If you attack the stain with too much fervor, you could easily scrape right to primer. If you are worried, try the eraser sponge in an inconspicuous part of the room first.

Your stain could be staring back at you still. If so, the next step requires you to know what kind of paint you are dealing with. You must treat oil and latex paints differently in your plan of attack.

• Oil and Grease

If the stain is a grease stain on oil based paint, you should first try dish soap and water. Since dish soap is made to cut grease in a gentle way, it’s the first product to try on your walls as well. Sometimes you need something harsher. In this case, you’ll need to head to a hardware store for a specialty wall cleanser. Make sure you explain exactly the paint, stain and steps you have taken so far so the associate can appropriately direct you. Always do a test patch in an out of the way area.

• Coffee

Coffee spills, but no need to cry over it. Coffee stains should be removed easily with a dish soap or all purpose cleaner. Try a soft bristled brush to really work the soap into the stain. Don’t use too much pressure or water or you’ll end up with bristle marks in the finish when you’re done. Once the stain lets go, wipe the area down with a damp cloth. The wall should be good as new once it dries.

• Stickers

So many stickers leave a sticky residue behind even once you have removed them. Stickers can be a nightmare to remove without damaging walls. Our experts say to try to peel the sticker back off of the wall gently, working from the outer edges in. Once you have peeled as much up as you can, grab the hair dryer. Set the dryer to medium and shoot the warm air at the sticker. The sticky stuff should get tacky again to allow you to peel more up. If there is any still hanging on, use a folded paper towel dampened with vinegar to wipe the sticky stuff away.

• Pencil

Pencil is made to be erasable. The first step is to grab the eraser and gently try to remove it. If that doesn’t work, move on to the eraser sponge. Still there? Try a damp sponge and baking soda water to rub the mark.

Need a hand?

Here at CertaPro Painters® of Palos Verdes, CA we provide a wide range of professional house painting services including drywall repair, wallpaper removal and installation, and color consultation.

Have a look, and if you’re interested, give us a call at 310-728-9004, or schedule a free estimate online today!