HOW TO CLEAN PAINTED WALLS

Washing your walls should be a regular part of house cleaning, especially if you have doodle-happy kids or muddy pets running around.

Popular cleaning solutions for painted walls include white vinegar or baking soda. At best, vinegar can help remove soap scum and mineral deposits, neither of which are likely to be a wall problem. A baking soda and water mixture can clean your walls without removing paint, but it can also leave a stubborn white film behind, requiring multiple wipes.

It's important to note that not all types of paint respond as well to cleaning as others. Some finishes are a little more delicate, and you need to be extra gentle when rubbing or wiping. Whether your walls have a flat, satin, eggshell, or glossy finish (oil-based or latex), a non-abrasive cleaner is the safest choice. Keep walls free of dust, fingerprints, stains, and smudges with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.

Spot clean fingerprints and other marks as soon as you notice them, and deep clean once a year to keep dirt at bay and maintain that freshly painted look.

Directions for Cleaning Painted Walls:

1. Prep walls. Remove artwork and wall hangings, and move furniture toward the center of the room. Dust the entire area using a cloth or the brush attachment on your vacuum.
2. Make your Simple Green solution. Mix 1 ounce of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with 4 cups of clean water in a dilution bottle or empty spray bottle.
3. Apply your solution. If you're worried about dripping onto the floor, line the wall with towels. Spot test your Simple Green solution on a small, hidden area before use. Dip a non-abrasive cloth or clean sponge into your solution and apply it to the wall section-by-section. Flat, satin, and eggshell finishes do best with as little water as possible, so wring out your cloth or sponge well. Be careful around electrical components like light switches, plug outlets, and telephone jacks.
4. Soak. Allow the solution to sit for a minute or so on heavy soils such as scuff marks or crayon.
5. Wipe down. Use a damp, clean, non-abrasive cloth to wipe the cleaned section. Remember to use as little liquid as possible and wipe gently. Start at the top and work your way down in circular motions.
6. Dry. Use a dry, non-abrasive cloth or towel to dry the section completely. This is an important step to avoid streaks.
7. Repeat. Move to a new section and repeat steps 3-6.

Note: If you're dealing with more heavy-duty stains, such as grease splatters on your kitchen walls, learn how to clean them here.