Remove stains from the wall before you slap on another coat. It’s the first commandment of painting. Here’s how to wash seven common stains off your walls and in most cases, requires low effort and low cost.
Painting instructions often warn – remove stains from walls before painting. But they never say how. Any cleaning rookie can wipe off dust and cobwebs, but it takes a cleaning pro to scour grease stains, watermarks and kids’ crayon and ink wall art.
Dirt and Grime
Dirt and grime are part of everyday life. The oil from your hands get onto walls, cabinets, doors and door frames. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ( with 3 for four pads) easily cuts through these stains. Wet the sponge and rub gently to avoid taking bits of paint off with the stain. Or try this: Mix one cup ammonia, ½ cup white distilled or apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda with one gallon of warm water. Wipe solution over walls with a sponge or cloth, and rinse with clear water. The solution won’t dull the painted finish or leave streaks.
Grease
Grease is an occupational hazard of cooking – it covers cabinets and walls and attracts dirt and dust. Any good dish soap can remove grease stains on walls. For small stains, mix ¼ teaspoon of soap in a cup of warm water and wipe. Rinse with clean water and blot until dry. Clean stubborn grease stains with a solution of 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.
Ink
Ballpoint ink often succumbs to foaming shaving cream, dry-cleaning solvent such as Carbona or nail polish remover. Make sure you open windows when using cleaning solvents and polish remover.
Mildew
Mildew is a fungus that eats soap scum and body oil. To remove from walls, spray vinegar water – one tablespoon of white vinegar to one quart water. Also, try an enzyme laundry detergent – follow the pre-treating directions on the label. Blot it on the stain and then rinse thoroughly with water.
Crayons
Wall erasers work like a charm on crayon marks. If they don’t do the trick:
- Rub marks with toothpaste (not gel)
- Erase marks with an art gum or a pencil eraser using a circular motion
- Swipe marks with baby wipes
- Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub
Water Stains
After you’ve solved the problem that cause the water stains, rinse with a solution of one cup bleach to one gallon of water to prevent mold or mildew from growing. Thoroughly dry with a hairdryer or fans. If the bleach doesn’t remove the water stains, you’ll have to repaint. Prime walls with a stain-killing primer such as Kilz.
Pat Curry is with the Lake County Property Investors. Reprinted with permission of the Idaho Rental Owners & Manager’s Association.