How to Clean Walls with Latex Flat Base Paint

Latex paint is designed to be easy to apply and easy to maintain. Walls that are painted with flat base latex paint can be washed to remove stains, but it is necessary to use special care to make sure the paint is not damaged during the washing process. Learn the best ways to clean walls with latex flat-base paint to safely and to effectively remove dirt and stains without damaging the flat painted surface.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 sponges
• 2 buckets
• Water
• Dish detergent
• Absorbent cloth

1. Fill the two buckets with warm water. Place a few drops of dish detergent into the water in one bucket and leave plain water in the other bucket. Place a sponge in each bucket.

2. Squeeze out the sponge that is in the plain water bucket to remove the excess water.

3. Rub the flat latex wall with the sponge. Use circular motions and rub gently so you do not remove excess paint pigment as you rub. Often, just plain water will remove stains from painted walls. If the stains or dirt persist, proceed to Step 4.

4. Squeeze out the sponge that is in the dish detergent bucket to remove the excess water.

5. Begin rubbing the flat latex wall with the dish detergent sponge on the bottom portions of the wall to avoid dirty water running down through your work area. Again, use circular motions and rub gently to avoid removing paint pigment.

6. Rinse the detergent from the walls using the sponge from the water bucket. Wipe off the excess moisture with the absorbent cloth after rinsing.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait at least 30 days to wash walls after new flat latex paint has been applied to make sure the paint has completely cured. Painted surfaces can be damaged if they are washed before being completely cured.

References

• How to Wash Walls