One item could help clean stains off your walls (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
Scrub marks and stains from your walls in seconds with this .
When it comes to tackling household chores, the list of tasks can seem endless. From regularly vacuuming and dusting every surface to keeping rooms like your bathroom and kitchen spotless, it can feel as though we’re constantly cleaning.
But even with a rigorous routine, there are still parts of our homes that we neglect. For example, when was the last time you cleaned your walls? You might vacuum the floor and clean the skirting boards, but do you regularly wipe your walls?
While it might not seem as though they get particularly dirty, your walls do need a good wash from time to time. If you have small children or pets then you’ll need to do this even more frequently, as they can leave grubby marks and on your paint or wallpaper from constantly touching or brushing up against the surface.
Cleaning your walls doesn’t have to be a difficult task either – as it’s been claimed that you can get the job done with a £2 product you might find in your first aid kit.
The cleaning hack was shared on after a person asked for help scrubbing their walls. They said: “I have two toddlers and two basset hounds. They are gross, and anything below my waist gets disgusting. I’m doing my best, but we are selling this house soon, and I want to make sure that everything looks good and smells good.”
Walls are notoriously difficult to clean as you need to choose a product that is tough enough to tackle greasy fingerprint marks and other stains while gentle enough not to pull the paint up with it or damage the wallpaper.
But one person had the perfect solution – rubbing alcohol. Also known as surgical spirit, the product can be picked up for around £2 in most pharmacies and is commonly used to clean and disinfect skin and minor wounds.
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The helpful commenter wrote: “Half a cup of rubbing alcohol and 10 drops of essential oils in warm water washes walls, cupboards and floors better than anything else. And it’s cheap. Shockingly good results, even for smoky and greasy walls. It’s an incredible grease cutter. I use a little flat mop for the walls and ceilings.”
Other commenters suggested alternative gentle solutions, including one person who claimed that simple baby wipes can clean “all the dirt and fingerprints” from your walls while leaving your paint intact.
Several people also suggested using water with a few drops of washing up liquid.
How to clean your walls
- Prepare the area: Remove wall hangings like pictures, clocks and other decorations. Protect baseboards and flooring by placing down old towels to catch any drips. Use a duster to remove cobwebs and dust before washing.
- Mix your solution: For painted walls, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. For tougher stains, you can try mixing one cup of vinegar with four litres of water.
- Start cleaning: Start at the top of the wall and work your way down to the bottom to avoid having dirty water drip down onto areas you’ve already cleaned. Use gentle circular motions for stains, and wring out your sponge or cloth to avoid oversaturating the surface.
- Rinse and dry: Once you’ve finished, use a damp cloth with plain water to remove any soap residue from the wall. Immediately dry thee wall with a clean towel to prevent watermarks and damp.
Helpful tips
For vinyl wallpaper, use a mild soap solution and a soft sponge. For non-vinyl and fabric wallpaper, avoid using water entirely. Instead, use a dry sponge or a wallpaper-cleaning product.
You should always do a spot test with any cleaning solution to ensure it doesn’t damage your walls, and avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive materials unless absolutely necessary. If you are repainting after cleaning, ensure walls are thoroughly dried.