Things You'll Need:
- Paint
- Brushes
- Wainscoting or chair rails
- Rubber bumpers
- Clean cloths or sponges
- Water
- Dishwashing fluid
-
Step 1
Choose the type of paint that’s right for you and your space. Semi-gloss and gloss can be easier to clean and less likely to show watermarks and other spots, but not everyone wants their bedroom walls to be glossy and reflective. These types of paints are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where water and other materials are likely to end up on walls, and glossier paints are also ideal for doors and trim. Matte or satin finishes are often preferred in bedrooms and living spaces.
-
Step 2
Take some preventative measures. If it works for the style of your home, consider adding chair rails or wainscoting to your walls. They help protect the parts of the walls most likely to get scuffed by feet and chairs, meaning your paintjob has a better chance at lasting. You could also affix rubber bumpers to the backs of chairs or any other furniture that could knock against the wall. And if you hang your artwork from two hooks instead of one, it will be less likely to shift and scratch up the walls.
-
Step 3
Keep touch-up paint on hand. When you paint a room, save the excess paint and clearly label each can with the room it was used in to make sure you can easily figure out which can you need come touch-up time. (It also can’t hurt to make a master list of your paint colors in case those cans somehow end up thrown out and you want to buy more of the same.) But do note that paint can change over time, both on the wall and in the can, so there’s no guarantee your touch-ups will be invisible. If you do touch-up, keep the patches small. Stipple and dab the paint to minimize the difference in texture between the old paint and the new.
-
Step 4
Sometimes a touch-up job isn’t necessary after all. If you find yourself with spots or marks on your walls, you may be able to clean them off. The more you rub and the stronger the products you use, the more likely you are to wear away your paint and leave a mark, so start with a little water-–for many marks, a few swipes with a damp cloth is all it takes. If that doesn’t work, try adding a few drops of dishwashing soap, the milder the better, then try applying the soap directly to your cloth or to the wall itself. If none of these work, you can try a stronger cleaning product, but don’t leave it on long and be sure to rinse any product with water so that the harsh cleaning chemicals don’t wear away your paint.
