How to Clean Walls So They Sparkle: 7 Easy Ways to Safely Remove Wall Stains

When it comes to household chores, our hard-core cleaning days include washing windows and de-griming those pesky window screens, shining up bathroom fixtures, and giving extra care to our kitchen appliances (after all, the dishwasher needs washing, too). But even as we go deep, we often neglect our walls. Just because they’re not horizontal flat surfaces doesn’t mean dust and grime don’t accumulate there.

The good news? Unlike cleaning a messy oven, keeping your walls clean is relatively easy and doesn’t require much elbow grease. To keep your rooms fresh and clean, you should regularly give all your walls a quick vacuum or dusting, especially around vents and in the corners. Then, seasonally (or as needed when scratches, scuffs, and those occasionally crayon drawings happen), walls should get a deeper cleaning with the products and cleaning techniques that are appropriate for your walls’ surfaces and finishes.

Whether your walls are in need of a top-to-bottom washing or a fast spot-cleaning of high-traffic areas, read our tips below on how to successfully (and safely!) clean all the walls in your home.

Just as all good home renovation projects require a well-stocked toolbox, you will set yourself up for wall-cleaning success if you have the right tools and supplies on hand. Whether your walls are painted or wallpapered, these supplies will help you tackle any wall-cleaning task, from regular maintenance to quick touch-ups of high-traffic areas:

• Mild dishwashing liquid soap (such as Ivory)
• White vinegar
• Lint-free white cloths (microfiber cloths also work)
• Electrostatic dusting cloths (such as Swiffer Dry Cloths)
• Dry sponge
• Wallpaper cleaning dough (such as Absorene)
• Long-handled soft-bristled brush (be sure the bristles are soft so they won’t scratch the walls)
• Vacuum with extendable piping and a soft brush attachment
• Latex or rubber gloves
• Bucket

Wall Cleaning Supplies

Absorene Wallpaper Cleaner

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Swiffer Sweeper Dry Mop Refills

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ProPlus Dry Cleaning Sponge

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Once you have all your cleaning supplies gathered, cleaning your painted walls is as easy as 1-2-3—literally. It takes three steps, people!

Step 1: Vacuum the Walls

Begin vacuuming your walls from ceiling to baseboards, using the soft brush attachment. (Just like reading, it’s best to go top to bottom, left to right.) Make sure to only use the brush part of the vacuum attachment so you won’t leave any scuff marks behind.

Step 2: Break Out the Brush

Use a long-handled, soft-bristled brush or electrostatic dusting cloth (try Swiffer Dry Cloths) to dust your walls. Again, start at the ceiling and work your way down to the baseboards.

Step 3: Rethink Your Method

If steps one and two aren’t doing the trick, or should you have some scuffs and trouble spots that need extra attention, it’s time to bring out the bucket. First, consider the type and finish of the wall paint, and then follow the below instructions accordingly.

Tip: Doing the first two cleaning steps regularly will help prevent dust and grime buildup.

Flat-finished walls don’t mix well with water, so if regular vacuuming isn’t enough to keep your walls clean, try this method.

Step 1: Use a Light Touch

Gently rubbing the walls with a dry sponge is your best bet. Or, tread lightly with a cleaning solution of water and mild dishwashing liquid soap (a drop or two of dishwashing soap per half-gallon of water). Remember, when cleaning, be sure to have a light touch—rub, don’t scrub!

Step 2: Shake Things Up With a Cleaning Solution

If using a cleaning solution, wring out the sponge or cloth almost completely before using and again after cleaning. Next, rinse with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Finally, dry your wall with a clean, soft lint-free cloth.

Step 3: Consider This Last Resort Option

If the previous methods don’t work, it may be time to consider a fresh coat of paint. Flat finishes make for easy blending. Check out our tips on how to paint a wall.

The Gentle Cleaning Method

If your paint finish is eggshell, semigloss, high-gloss, or oil-based, you can clean your walls with a light washing using a diluted solution of liquid dishwashing soap and warm water. You don’t want your cleaning solution to be too soapy, so depending on the concentration of your dish soap, you will likely need only a drop of two per half-gallon of water. (Or, if you prefer, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a half-gallon of warm water for an all-natural, deeper cleaning.)

Using a well-wrung-out cloth, start at the top and work your way down with the cleaning solution, then rinse with a clean, damp sponge. The key word here is “damp” because you don’t want to get your walls too wet. Always be sure to then dry your wall with a clean and soft lint-free cloth as you go.

The Deep Cleaning Method

If your walls need a deeper cleaning, high-gloss and oil-based paints can stand up to stronger de-greasers, but NEVER use cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia or scouring powders. Keep reading for tips on tackling trouble spots such as mildew and greasy fingerprints.

Tip: No matter the finish, always spot-test your walls first to be sure they won’t be damaged by water or the cleaning solution.

Contrary to what you may think, an eraser is not the best way to clean walls painted with chalkboard paint.

The Cloth + Water Method

The easiest way to clean chalkboard paint is pretty simple. Try using a lint-free soft cloth dampened with clean water.

The Cloth + Diluted Cleanser Method

If that doesn’t remove all of the chalky residue, you may use a mild detergent solution (a drop or two of mild liquid dishwashing soap per half-bucket of water) or a vinegar-based cleaning solution (mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with a half-gallon of warm water). Allow the chalkboard-painted surface to dry completely before writing on it again.

RELATED: 30+ Chalk Paint Colors That Completely Nail the Farmhouse Look

The easiest and most universal technique for cleaning wallpapered walls—whether uncoated paper, grasscloth, vinyl, or even fabric—is vacuuming!

The Vacuum Method

Use a vacuum equipped with the soft brush attachment. When vacuuming walls, always start at the ceiling and work your way down to the baseboards.

The Vacuum + Water Method

If vacuuming your wallpapered walls isn’t enough to get them clean, you may be able to lightly clean your vinyl or acrylic-coated papers with water, but tread with caution. (When possible, consult the cleaning instructions provided with the wallpaper.) Before you begin, spot-test the paper in an inconspicuous location to see if the colors bleed. If not, you can lightly wipe the walls using a mild cleaning solution of dishwashing liquid soap and water (a drop or two of mild liquid dishwashing soap per half-bucket of water) but be sure to avoid the seams and to not over-wet the paper to avoid peeling.

Bonus Tools to Use

If the colors do bleed or you don’t want to risk it, you can give your wallpapered walls a deeper cleaning using a special dry sponge or wallpaper cleaning dough.

RELATED: Wallpaper is back! And there’s no better place to try it then in your kitchen with these ideas.

In moisture-ridden rooms such as bathrooms, mold and mildew are common occurrences. If the above regular cleaning techniques aren’t enough to tackle a mildew problem on your walls, you can step it up with a handy cleaning solution.

Step 1: Mix Your Cleansers

First, combine a nonammonia all-purpose cleaner or a mold and mildew cleaner with water (never use cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia, as they may remove or alter color).

RMR Brands RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

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Step 2: Perform a Spot Test

Next, spot-test your wall to make sure they are colorfast, then lightly rub the area using a circular motion instead of a hard back-and-forth scrub.

Step 3: Rinse the Solution

Finally, after washing the area with the cleaning solution, rinse well with a well-wrung out sponge or cloth dampened with clean water, then dry well with a white lint-free cloth.

The Grease + Scuff Method

To tackle greasy fingerprints or scuff marks, start by spot treating the affected area with a clean, lint-free cloth dampened with a cleaning solution of mild dishwashing soap mixed with water (2 tablespoons mild dishwashing liquid soap per 2 cups water). After lightly rubbing with the soapy cloth, rinse your cloth or sponge well and go over the area with clean water to remove any soapy residue. Make sure to also dry the wall as you go.

The High Gloss/Oil-Based Paint Method

If your walls are painted in a high-gloss or oil-based paint, you may also be able to tackle that grime with a solvent-free degreaser, but be sure to spot-test your wall in an inconspicuous area before cleaning. A vinegar-and-water cleaning solution (mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with a half-gallon of warm water) also works well for removing grime, or, for really stubborn areas, mix a paste of baking soda and water and rub on the trouble spot using a nonabrasive sponge or cloth.

Jennifer Kopf

Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.