Organic Cleaning Solution for Walls

Take your walls' texture and finish into account before cleaning them.

Cleaning walls is one of those jobs that is easily forgotten after passing by the dirty area around a light switch, for example. It's usually not until a deep cleaning or a spring cleaning that you see just how dirty the walls are. Making wall cleaning part of your daily or weekly cleaning routine can keep this task from becoming overwhelming. Using organic and natural cleaning solutions for your wall cleaning will reduce toxins in your home.

Dust

For those without kids or pets to make oily or dirty fingerprinters or paw prints on the walls, a simple dusting usually takes care of the cleaning. Use a feather duster along moldings and other trim work. A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment reaches ceiling corners and other hard-to-reach places, cleaning and getting rid of the dust all at the same time. Using a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment along the trim can also scrub out embossed or indented areas that easily collect dust and debris.

Soap and Water

Mix mild dish soap or Borax in warm water in a cleaning bucket. A tablespoon of dish soap is adequate as is an eighth of a cup of Borax mixed into a gallon or two of water. Fill another bucket with warm rinse water and place a clean cloth or sponge in each bucket. Choose a section of wall to wash at one time and, using a step stool, get up to the top of the wall and wash your way down with the cleaning solution. Rinse the washed area with the rinse water on a cloth or sponge. Dry the area you've just washed with a clean towel.

Vinegar

Sometimes soap and water just don't cut it. When you come across an especially dirty area--usually around a window or light switch--mix a cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water. Alternatively, you can mix a half cup of white vinegar in a quart of warm water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray or wipe the vinegar solution on the greasy or oily dirt area. You may need to scrub to remove heavy soiling. If the wall is made of wood and not painted, a nylon scrub brush or pad can be used without damaging the wall surface.

Other Stains and Wall Debris

Remove stickers from walls by sponging vinegar over the stickers and waiting a few minutes for the stickers to rub off. Crayon marks on walls can be removed with a microfiber cloth or eraser sponge or a small amount of toothpaste applied to a damp cloth. You can remove scuff marks with a large, pink pencil-mark eraser. Permanent marker can be easily rubbed off with a little rubbing alcohol applied to a cotton ball or clean cloth. Take care when using rubbing alcohol, however, as it can remove paint from walls. Test it in an inconspicuous area first.

References

• Earth Easy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning and Care
• Mrs. Clean USA: Cleaning Painted Walls