How to Clean a Stucco Ceiling

Stucco texture

Most stucco ceilings are white and can quickly look dirty. The rough "popcorn" texture of a stucco ceiling is attractive to many homeowners, but it makes it an ideal gathering place for spider webs and dust. Ceilings can also start to turn yellow or brown in spots where the drywall above the ceiling got damp and stained the stucco.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner Wand extension Stain killer in spray can Ceiling paint

Instructions

1. Vacuum your stucco ceiling using a wand extension and, if possible, a soft brush attachment to remove dust and spider webs. Avoid stripping the texture from the ceiling by keeping the nozzle an inch or so away from the ceiling surface if possible. This may not be necessary if you're using a brush attachment.

2. Seal stains by spraying them with a primer/sealer stain killer. Move furniture from under the stain and cover the floor first.

3. Paint severely stained ceilings to cover the discoloration by spraying the paint onto the ceiling or by using a roller or soft brush. Cleaning a stucco ceiling with a cleaning solution is not possible due to the material's highly absorbent nature and its texture---covering the stain with paint is your only option.

Tips & Warnings

• The color of the stain killer may not match the color of your ceiling. Test it in an inconspicuous area before spraying over the stain.

References

• How to Paint Stucco the Right Way
• How to Paint a Textured Ceiling
• Mary Ellen's Complete Home Reference Book; Mary Ellen Pinkham; 1993

Resources

• Primer/Sealer Stain Killer