July 2009 Weddings
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Washing walls

Maybe this is a dumb question so please forgive me. 

 Our front entry has gotten really dirty looking. I'm not quite sure how it gets so dirty, it looks like we have 10 kids coming in and kicking off their shoes while kicki g the walls...really it's strange. 

Anyway I want to clean the walls and don't know what to use. This dirt stuff is on the white paint. I know before I've washed a painted wall and the paint comes off on to the towel. What can I use? It really needs a paint touch up but in the meantime any ideas?

Thanks!! 

Re: Washing walls

  • Do not use a Magic Eraser. They take paint off like it's wet. So annoying (DH always forgets and uses them).

     

    I use 409 sprayed directly on our walls and then a papertowel (softer than a towel). The non-abrasive side of a sponge would work too.


    but what time of cleaner to use depends on the kind of paint on your walls. We have semi-gloss on all our walls because it's way easier to clean. If you have flat (non-shiny) paint on that section, I would stick with water and a paper towel and test an area to see how the paint does. 

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  • imageJuddandJessica:
    You could try a magic eraser.

    This is what I would use too!  We no longer have white walls so I can't use it on our walls, but we have white doors and it works well on those.

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  • What kind of magic erasers am I using? We have to stick to only counters and the bathtub and sinks because it takes the paint off our walls :( you lucky girls!

    maybe because the white paint on our trim (which is where I would like to use it) is old?

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  • I've always had success with magic erasers.. In fact I was just doing it this morning!!

    Cole, are you using it on glossy paint? The box says not to use it on glossy paint... I've only tried it on a matte finish. 

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  • Duh, I see now that you said semi glossy.  Maybe that is why you've had problems in the past with it.
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  • I've used a magic eraser on our satin finish paint and white baseboards no problem. I would also just try a regular sponge and some soapy water (mixsome plain old dish soap and water together in a bucket) if you aren't sure and see what that does. 
    T&Y Est. 7/4/2009



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  • Thanks for the replies. I'll try the paper towel and soap with water first. Then if that doesn't work I'll go buy a magic eraser, I forgot about those! 

    We have flat paint. I think. DH will eventually do paint touch ups but I guess it needs cleaned first anyway. I'd paint it but it triggers my asthma and has even triggers migraines, so I stay away from it. 

    Lol I'm actually looking forward to getting off work so I can clean the walls, how sad is that?  

  • I used a magic eraser on our walls and it totally took the pain off.  We have flat paint, but it's apparently not very good quality.  Even just water and a paper towel takes off our stupid paint.  It's soooooo annoying.  It's either dirty walls, or walls with huge streaks.  At some point we are going to have to repaint our entire upstairs with better quality paint that they did our basement with.  We bought a show home and it makes me so mad because they upgraded things that are visible - like railing, floor, cupboards, etc.  But so many practical things to be better quality that aren't immediately noticeable they cheaped out on, like the paint. 

    DH's mom recommended using a sponge mop for wall washing with fairly diluted all-purpose cleaner.  

     

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  • I would use a little bit of white vinegar mixed with warm water. That's what I tend to use now when cleaning baseboards or if the walls need cleaning anywhere.

     

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  • I just use a little natural cleaner with hot water. It doesn't work as well as the magic eraser, but I use matte paint and it still takes it off.
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  • I've never had a magic eraser take paint off walls, but then again I used it in apartments I was living in during college and I'm sure there were 20 million coats of paint on those walls.  And that paint was certainly not glossy at all.  I also never noticed if it took paint off the doors in our current house, but the paint is also not glossy at all either.  I don't use them that often so that could be why too.  I also don't use that much water when I wet our magic erasers. 
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  • Ok, I ended up using hot water, vinegar and natural dish soap all mixed together and a soft sponge. It worked pretty well. The front doors and the walls leading up the stairs look SO much better. Their were a few places that it wouldnt clean but ill eventually get hubby to do some paint touch ups. 

    Thanks for all of the tips!! 

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