Summary: Thanks to gravity, walls and ceilings escape the daily spills and footprints that leave their marks on floors and carpets, but walls and ceilings are by no means immune to dirt. Furniture that touches a wall; tobacco smoke; or visitors fumbling for light switches; can all smudge, scuff or cover those surfaces with a film of dirt that vacuuming or dusting cannot remove.

The type of covering on a wall or a ceiling will dictate the method used to clean it. Flat or enamel paints and vinyl or plastic-coated wallpapers are washable to some extent and can be cleaned with the solutions listed in this article. Depending on how they are made, wallpapers may be categorized as scrubbable or washable. If you do not know which kind you have, it is best to begin with a weak solution and a gentle sponging action. Paints vary in quality but the better ones usually last longer and can withstand a greater number of washings. The approximate life expectancy of most paints can be found on the can’s label.

Safety First

Make sure to wear rubber gloves for protection from the detergents and other chemicals used in cleaning walls and ceilings. Also, never stand on the top 2 rungs of a step ladder, no matter how tempting it may be as you can topple the ladder. Be sure to follow weight limits for your step ladder, including the weight of any buckets you put on the shelf.

The following solutions have been found to be effective for removing dirt and various stains from walls and ceilings with washable finishes. In general, stains that respond best to washing are mildew, ink, and substances with a greasy base such as crayon, lipstick, tobacco, or food splatters.

To remove mildew, add 1 cup of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of warm water. Sponge the surface. Wipe the solution off with a clean wet sponge.

To wash flat paints, mix 2 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) or powdered household detergent into a gallon of lukewarm water. For greasy stains use a stronger solution of TSP or a mixture of enzyme detergent and water.

When washing an entire wall that may be covered in semi-gloss and glossy paint, use a solution of 1 teaspoon of washing soda per gallon of lukewarm water. Use the same solution for washable stains but do not use it on painted wood such as baseboard or door frames.
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For washable and scrubbable wallpapers, use the same solution as for flat paint, but do not let water get behind the seams. Rinse each section and then pat dry. For ink or grease on wallpaper, use 1 part enzyme detergent to 10 parts water. Or you can rub it with a cloth that has been dampened with isopropyl alcohol.

To create a poultice paste to draw out stubborn stains, try the following recipe. In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup of salt, 1.5 ounces of potassium alum from the pharmacy, and 2 cups of water. Heat the mix over low heat, stirring constantly until everything is dissolved. Remove the pan from the stove and add 1 tablespoon of kerosene and stir. Transfer it to a large mixing pan or basin and slowly stir in 5 cups of flour. When the mixture becomes too thick to stir, knead in the remaining flour by hand. This recipe makes 1.5 to 2 pounds of cleaning paste. Store it in a tightly sealed jar and use it as a poultice to clean large areas of wallpaper, but test it first in an inconspicuous area to be sure it will not damage your wallpaper.

Usage of the cleaning paste is as follows: apply a 1/8 inch thick layer of cleaning paste on the soiled area with the palm of your hand and allow it to dry. When the surface is chalky to the touch, after about 30 minutes, remove the paste with a clean medium-hard bristled brush. Use a series of swift but firm downward strokes to dislodge the paste. A paste brush or a new dustpan brush is excellent for this purpose. Repeat the application if the stain remains, but the poultice should draw it out.

For a cleaner that rolls dirt away you can try an art gum eraser, the brown crumbly type that is available in office supply stores. It will often lift light dirt and smudges from a wall, as will the kneadable kind of art eraser. A special dough-like wallpaper cleaner is available that works in a similar fashion. You can find it at hardware stores. Just knead a grapefruit sized lump of the cleaner dough between your hands until it is malleable. Shape it into a cylinder and press it firmly against the soiled wallpaper. With one palm, slowly roll it up and down. When the surface of the dough or art gum eraser is coated with dirt, knead and fold the soiled surface into the center. Then form a new cylinder and again roll it over the dirty wallpaper.

You can also blot out grease stains by pressing an iron onto a piece of clean blotting paper that has been laid over the stain. Be sure the iron is on a low setting and press firmly against the paper for about 2 seconds. Repeat the process, using a clean section of the paper each time until all traces of grease have been removed. If blotting paper does not absorb all the grease, rub gently with a piece of cheesecloth that has been sprinkled with turpentine or benzene.

For a gentle rubdown for wallpaper, soak a light colored cotton terry cloth towel in turpentine and then wring it dry. Air-dry the towel completely, then wrap it around the head of a dry sponge mop, and tie it with string. Wipe the towel wrapped mop head across the ceiling in long parallel strokes. Wipe the walls from ceiling to floor in long parallel strokes. When the towel looks dusty turn it inside out or replace it with a fresh dry towel. If stains remain, use one of the techniques above to remove them.

Of course, if all of these seem too messy or time consuming, you can always purchase a chemically treated synthetic sponge for spot cleaning wallpaper…and cross your fingers that you won’t have to wash the entire wall.

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