Last week we looked at washing down walls as we get into fall cleaning and preparing for the holidays. As you undertake this project, you will undoubtedly run into tougher cleaning problems. Cleaning marks, stains and repairing blemishes on interior walls can be challenging.
Begin washing the walls by spot-cleaning stains, marks, etc. Blemishes made by crayon, pencil and marker, as well as scuffs, can be removed with baking soda and water. In a small cup, mix the water and baking soda together to make a paste. Rub the paste into the stain, using a cloth or an old toothbrush. Then wipe the area with a clean cloth. You also can try products such as Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser, which are designed for removing crayon marks and the like.
Now you’re ready to start cleaning the entirety of each wall. You will need two buckets and two sponges. Dip a sponge in the bucket containing your cleaning solution and wring out excess water. After scrubbing the wall, use the second sponge and rinse with clean water from the other bucket. Start at the bottom of the wall. This will ensure that any water dripping down as you clean won’t adhere to dirt and debris on the wall and potentially leave stains. Rub the surface lightly in a circular motion, working small areas at a time. Go over the area you just cleaned with the wet sponge to remove soap residue and any dirt. Dip the rinsing sponge again in the bucket of water and wring out excess water. Continue working in this manner until you have completly cleaned the entire wall. Change the water in the rinsing bucket when it becomes cloudy or too dirty to use for rinsing.
Use a sturdy ladder or step-stool for high spots, and follow safety guidelines. Don’t stand too high on the ladder or lean out too far.
Avoid taking breaks until you’ve completely finished a wall, and then rest before you begin a new one. Otherwise, you may leave visible streaks or lines indicating where you stopped washing. When you’ve finished cleaning a wall, use a clean cloth or towel to wipe up any remaining drips and excess water.
Remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
