Painting Preparation: How to clean walls before painting
Painting Prep: How To Prepare Walls For Painting
If you’re planning to paint your home’s interior walls, then you’ll need to clean them first. Dirt, dust, and other debris can interfere with the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface, resulting in an uneven finish or paint that flakes and peels off over time. We’ll show you how to clean your walls before painting so that you get the best possible results.
Do You Need To Wash Or Clean Walls Before Painting?
You should always clean your walls in preparation for painting. But the type of cleaning you’ll need to do depends on the condition of your walls and whether they’ve been painted before. If your walls are new or have never been painted, then a simple washing with soap and water will suffice. For previously painted walls that are in good condition, you can get away with just dusting or vacuuming. However, if your walls are dirty or have been painted multiple times, then you’ll need to wash them with a mild detergent to remove any built-up grime.
Mild Soap
The first step is to wash your walls with mild soap. This will remove any dirt or grease that could prevent the paint from adhering properly.
Do Certain Types Of Walls Need Heavier Cleaning?
If your walls are grimy or have been painted multiple times, you’ll need to wash them with a mild detergent. This includes the walls in your kitchen and bathroom.
Bedroom And Living Room Walls
If your bedroom or living room walls are only lightly soiled, then you can cloth dust or vacuum them. However, if they’re significantly dirty, then you’ll need to wash them. The same goes for any walls that have been painted multiple times.
Kitchen Walls
Your kitchen walls are likely to be greasy, so you’ll need to wash them with a mild detergent to remove any built-up grime. The kitchen is also a good place to use a degreaser if your walls are particularly greasy.
Bathroom Walls
Your bathroom walls are also likely to be greasy, so you’ll need to wash them with a mild detergent as well. You may also want to use a mild bleach solution to remove any mold or mildew. The humidity in your bathroom can also cause mold and mildew to grow, so you’ll need to be sure to clean these surfaces as well.
What Are The Safest Chemicals To Use For Cleaning Walls?
When cleaning your walls in advance of painting, you’ll want to use safe chemicals. This includes a mild detergent, grease-cutting detergent, or bleach solution. You can also use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean your walls. However, TSP is a strong cleaning product and should be used with caution to wash walls. Warm soapy water is the best solution to wash walls. Fill up soapy water into a bucket and use a damp sponge to gently rub the entire wall, you have to start from down to upward. Be sure to rinse the sponge frequently and wring it out well so that the suds don’t build up on the wall. For tough stains, you can use a small amount of bleach in your soapy water. Bleach is particularly effective at removing mold and mildew. However, be sure to use it sparingly as it can damage the paint and another smooth surface if used too frequently. You can also use a commercial wall cleaner. These cleaners are designed specifically for cleaning walls.