How to Clean Walls With Flat Paint the Right Way
Peanut butter handprints.
Smudges framing the light switches.
Black marks where the dining room chair rubs the wall.
You want to get rid of the dirt and grime on your walls but aren’t sure how to clean flat paint.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to clean walls with flat paint — including why flat paint is more challenging to keep clean than other types of interior paint.
How Can You Tell if Your Walls Have Flat Paint?
The first thing you’ll need to do before diving into the job of cleaning your walls is to find out what kind of paint is on them.
Interior wall paint comes in 5 types of finishes:
High gloss
The shiniest, most durable, and very easy to clean
Semi-gloss
Shiny, reflective, extremely durable, and resistant to mildew
Satin
The most common interior paint finish. Velvety sheen and easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints
Eggshell
More lustrous and durable than flat paints
Flat (or Matte)
The least amount of shine, hardest to clean, and most easily damaged of all interior paints
So how can you tell what type of interior paint you’re working with?
Paint with a flat finish should not reflect light.
If you look at your walls from a variety of angles and can’t see light reflecting off of them, you are most likely dealing with flat paint.
Why Can Cleaning Flat Paint Walls Be Harder Than Other Types of Painted Walls?
Since flat paints are not glossy, they do not reflect as much light as semi-gloss or high-gloss paints do.
This makes flat paint the perfect choice for walls that are rough looking or have patched nail holes since the light won’t reflect off of the wall’s imperfections.
But flat paints can be hard to clean since their porous texture can trap dirt and grime.
And since flat paint doesn’t resist water like glossier paint does, cleaning it may leave behind unwanted streaks that can make an already dirty wall seem even worse.
But if you have flat paint, don’t despair!
Here are the top tips for helping you through the process of cleaning flat paint walls.
Pro Tip: Always Start With the Gentlest Method First to Clean Flat Paint on Walls
As with any type of cleaning, you always want to start with the gentlest method first.
That way, you won’t risk damaging your walls as you clean off the scuffs and grime.
And if you do wind up having to go with a stronger method, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re using the safest option possible.
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The Best Way to Clean Flat Paint in 5 Easy Steps
Before you begin cleaning flat paint walls, you’ll want to give them a quick wipe down to get rid of any dust or other type of debris that might be clinging to them. No need to make this step fancy — just a simple towel or feather duster will work just fine.
When it comes to cleaning flat paint walls, it's important to make sure you clean up dirt and stains as soon as possible. The longer you let them stay, the harder they’ll be to clean.
#1: Use a Microfiber Cloth and Water
Microfiber is an amazing invention.
Made of polyester and nylon, the fibers are split smaller than a human strand of hair. Its ability to reach into cracks and crevices that other cleaning cloths may miss makes microfiber a unique and superior cleaning tool.
A microfiber cloth, along with warm water, is usually your first plan of attack for cleaning flat paint walls.
Begin by gently rubbing the area in a circular motion.
#2: Use a Vinegar Solution
If the warm water and microfiber cloth didn't do the trick, try adding a little vinegar — with or without a few drops of mild detergent — to your water.
You can use:
Your microfiber cloth
A cotton rag; or
A sponge.
If the spots don’t come off at first scrub, try applying a little elbow grease to see if that gives the results you’re after.
This method can be especially helpful when the spot you're cleaning is fresh.
#3: Use a Specialty Sponge
Is the stain still there? If so, have no fear!
The next plan of attack is often a specialty sponge.
Also known as a Magic Eraser or melamine cleaning sponge, a specialty sponge can be nothing short of a cleaning miracle.
Take it easy, though. While specialty sponges are non-abrasive and aren’t likely to damage flat-painted surfaces, as they begin to wear down, they may leave a bit of a white residue on darker-colored walls.
Does Magic Eraser Work on Flat Paint?
Yes. A Magic Eraser can remove dirt and scuff marks from flat paint. Simply glide the sponge across the stains, and stains may instantly disappear.
When using a Magic Eraser for cleaning flat paint walls, follow up by wiping with an absorbent white towel to blot away any residue.
#4: Use a Diluted Soap Solution
The next step in cleaning flat paint walls is to try a solution of water and dish soap. Just a tiny squirt in a bowl of warm water should do it.
Do not apply the soap directly to your wall, since it may be too harsh in its undiluted form.
Be sure to use clear dish soap or mild laundry detergent. Using colored soap may result in the soap’s color transferring to the wall.
#5: Touch Up Paint if Necessary
If all else fails, you may want to consider using touch-up paint.
If you painted the walls yourself, maybe you have a can with some leftover paint. Otherwise, you can buy touch-up paint at your local hardware or home store.
You'll be happy to know that flat paint is normally easier to touch up than satin or semi-gloss varieties.
As you paint, go a little beyond the stain. That way, the touch-up should perfectly match the surrounding wall once the paint has dried.
Contact Tidy Up Portland! to Find Experts on Cleaning Flat Paint and Anything Else You May Need
If you're looking for a professional house cleaning service In the Portland area, Tidy Up Portland! is the one to choose.
Not only can we clean your walls, but we’re experts in all areas of housecleaning.
We offer both hourly and flat rate options, and we’ll give you a discount for having us come weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
As an added plus, if you decide to have ongoing cleaning services, we will assign one of our professional cleaning teams to your home.
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