The Right Way to Clean Painted Walls, From Matte to Gloss Finishes

While sweeping the floors and wiping down countertops are likely regular tasks on your chore checklist, walls are one part of the home that typically get overlooked. But your walls can easily become one of the dirtiest surfaces in your home when they're not tended to.

From grease splatter in the kitchen to handprints in rooms with heavy foot traffic, you need to clean your walls regularly in order to maintain their luster. Luckily, with a little bit of soap and water, you can give your walls a refreshed look—no matter what paint finish you have.

How Often to Clean Painted Walls

How frequently you clean your walls may vary from room to room. "Kitchen walls nearest a frequently used oven range or cooktop should be properly wiped down weekly," says Melissa Poepping, the founder of The Chemical Free Home. "Walls that are in low traffic areas can be tended to during annual spring cleaning."

Color may also dictate how often you clean your walls. "White walls that collect dirt from hands, dust, and pets need attention at quicker intervals between cleaning," says Poepping.

Generally, it's best to spot clean walls once a month (or as needed) and deep clean them once a year. When spot cleaning, be sure to hit high-traffic areas and check for hand prints, scuffs, scratches, and splashes, says Becky Rapinchuk, a cleaning expert and author of Simply Clean and The Organically Clean Home.

How to Clean a Wall With Matte Paint

Duller paints, like those with flat, satin, and eggshell finishes or chalk paint, can be tricky to clean because they aren't very durable and don't stand up to abrasive cleaners. Avoid scrubbing too hard or using a very damp cloth when cleaning walls with these paint finishes, Poepping says. Grab a dust cloth or vacuum, then follow these steps from Poepping to clean walls with matte paint.

Materials

• Dust cloth(s) or vacuum with brush attachment
• Water
  

Steps

1. Use a dry dust cloth or a vacuum with the brush attachment and wipe the walls.
2. For any marks, slightly dampen a cloth and dab it on an inconspicuous spot of the wall. If the paint doesn't lift, you can dab the area of concern to lift the mark.
3. Wipe the area you spot treated with a clean, dry cloth.

How to Clean a Wall With Gloss or Semi-Gloss Paint

Gloss and semi-gloss finishes, which are commonly used in high-touch areas of the home like the kitchen and bathroom, are more durable and can tolerate being cleaned with degreasers, like dish soap. All you need are three items for this cleaning method. Once you collect them, follow these steps from Poepping to clean walls with gloss paint.

Materials

• Dust cloth(s) or vacuum with brush attachment
• Water
• Dish soap

Steps

1. Use a dry dust cloth or a vacuum with the brush attachment and wipe the walls.
2. Dampen a cloth with room temperature water and a dab of mild dish soap.
3. Gently wipe down the walls with the cloth.
   
4. Wipe the walls with a dry cloth.

How to Clean a Wall With Latex Paint

Like gloss finishes, latex paint is best cleaned with water and a non-abrasive dish soap or all-purpose cleaner. Pick between a vacuum or a dust cloth, then follow these steps from Poepping to clean walls with latex paint.

Materials

• Dust cloth(s) or vacuum with brush attachment
• Water
• Dish soap
  

Steps

1. Use a dry dust cloth or a vacuum with the brush attachment and wipe the walls.
2. Dampen a cloth with room temperature water and a dab of mild dish soap.
3. Gently wipe down the walls with the cloth.
4. Wipe the walls with a dry cloth.

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How to Clean a Wall With Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint is a durable paint that is commonly used in high-moisture areas, like the bathroom. Because of how durable it is, walls coated in it can be cleaned with degreasers, like dish soap. Gather your materials, then follow these steps from Poepping to clean walls with oil-based paint.

Materials

• Dust cloth(s) or vacuum with brush attachment
• Water
• Dish soap
  

Steps

1. Use a dry dust cloth or a vacuum with the brush attachment and wipe the walls.
2. Dampen a cloth with room temperature water and a dab of mild dish soap.
3. Gently wipe down the walls with the cloth.
4. Wipe the walls with a dry cloth.

How to Remove Stains From Walls

How you remove stains from walls depends on what the stain is from, says Poepping. Make sure you have these materials on hand before getting started, then follow these steps from Poepping when removing stains from your walls.

Materials

• Water
• White vinegar
• Mild dish soap
• Baking soda
• Cloth(s)

Steps

• Dirt stains: Wet a cloth with a mixture of white vinegar and lukewarm water and dab the stain until it lifts. Pat dry with a clean cloth.
• Oil stains: Dab the area with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. Follow up by dapping the spot with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Pat dry with a clean cloth.
• Crayon marks: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to a clean cloth, gently buff the mark, then wipe clean with another damp cloth. A magic eraser also works well on most painted walls, but always test in an inconspicuous spot first to avoid dulling the finish.
• Mold or mildew: For light stains, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water and apply to the stain with a cloth. Let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

How to Maintain Clean Walls

Maintaining clean walls between deep cleans will ensure they stay free of marks and stains. One way to ensure your walls stay clean is by considering the layout of your home. Keep furniture away from walls, says Rapinchuk, as your couch and chairs can create unwanted scuffs. Additionally, regularly wiping down your walls with a dry cloth will prevent dust from building up on them.