How to Remove Stains From Painted Walls

Wall paint turns a drab and uninteresting wall into something personal and magnificent, transforming a room into a fun, energized, or relaxing space. However, a painted wall only looks good as long as it’s clean. Learn how to remove stains from painted walls and keep them looking fresh like the day they were first painted.

Walls accumulate dirt and stains over time, and kitchen walls get the brunt. They suffer from food splatters, grease and coffee stains, and other wall marks, and they’re even worse if they are on a white wall. Unfortunately, we don’t always notice a wall stain until it gets dark and unsightly, which makes wall cleaning even harder.

No one wants to spend their weekend house cleaning, whether it’s carpet cleaning or cleaning walls. Yet, it’s necessary if you want to live in a clean and comfortable environment. Fortunately, there are great ways to make the task easier, freeing up more time to do what you enjoy.

Ways to Remove Stains From Painted Walls

It’s essential to clean painted walls with the proper cleaning solution to prevent blotting out the color or causing uneven color, whether it’s a living room or kitchen wall. Discover how to clean walls to remove everyday dirt or stubborn stain without ruining the paint finish.

Getting Stains off Different Types of Painted Walls

There are various types of paints, from flat paint to semi-gloss paint and texture paint. Understanding paint differences is wise before getting stains out of white or color-painted walls. Explore the common paints used on interior walls to ensure you choose the proper cleaner.

The difference between exterior and interior painting is that exterior paint is made to handle fading and mildew, and interior paint is formulated for cleaning and stain resistance.

It’s also important to prep your walls before adding a new layer of paint. This method can also be used for cleaning stains on walls to prepare for painting and eliminate any stains or dark spots.

The most typical type of indoor paint is latex paint since it dries faster than other types and is easiest to clean. However, there are different paint finishes, including flat or matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss paint.

Flat paint is the least durable, eggshell paint has a delicate low sheen, and satin paint is more straightforward to clean than flat or eggshell types. Semi-gloss and high-high gloss paint can handle a lot of wear and tear, are mildew resistant, and are washable.

How to Get Stains off Walls With Soap and Water

The best way to remove mild stains from flat paint walls is to use soapy water because it cleans away dirt and grime without removing paint. Find out how to get stains off walls with a simple soap and water cleaner.

Fill a bottle with warm water and mix in a few drops of dish soap. This soap type is designed to cut through oil and grease and is gentle enough to use on a painted wall. Close the container, shake it gently, and spray the soapy water on the wall stain. Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the wall and dry it with a soft towel.

Getting Stains Out of White Walls With an Eraser

Erase stains from a wall quickly. A Magic Eraser, or melamine sponge, is an excellent tool for getting stains out of white walls. It removes everything from scuff marks and crayon marks to coffee stains and is safe for painted walls.

Wet the corner of a Magic Eraser or melamine sponge with warm water and wring out the excess liquid. Rub the damp sponge on the wall stain using a circular motion. Don’t press too hard to prevent damaging the paint, and wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.

How to Remove Stains From Painted Walls

Baking soda is a common kitchen item to make a nicotine stain remover for painted walls. Remove a grease stain from a wall with this multi-purpose powder, too. The alkaline powder is also a gentle scrubbing agent, making it a good choice for removing tough stains.

Combine just enough warm water and baking soda powder to form a paste-like substance. Apply the soda paste to the stain with a soft sponge. Rub the area with a small, circular motion until the stain is gone. Wipe away the residue with clean water and a white cloth.

Using White Vinegar to Get Stains off Walls

The natural acidity of vinegar gives it a variety of uses, from preserving food to disinfecting and deodorizing. It’s the perfect remedy for cleaning a painted wall. Learn how to get stains off walls with a white vinegar solution.

Fill a quart-size spray bottle with water, add a quarter cup of white vinegar and a couple of drops of liquid soap. Gently shake the containergently and spray the solution over the stained area. Wipe the affected area with a clean rag – repeat until the stain is gone. Clean the entire surface with a damp sponge and dry it with a soft cloth.

Removing Scuff Marks From a Painted Wall

Scuff marks are common on walls, especially near the bottom, where shoes and furniture get dragged, leaving the wall blemished. Here are tips for removing scuffs and other marks from a painted wall.

It may be possible to use a pencil eraser if the scuff is small. Rub the eraser gently over the mark and use a soft cloth to wipe rubber bits from the wall, or try the same technique with a damp melamine sponge.

If that doesn’t work, try making a paste with baking soda powder and dish soap. Scrub the paste on the scuff with a Q-tip, and wipe it away with a damp rag. Take care not to spread the paste to other wall areas, and repeat if necessary until the mark is gone.

Commercial Cleaners to Clean Stains off Painted Walls

The quickest and easiest method for removing oil stains from walls without damaging the paint is to use a commercial cleaner. However, not all cleansers are created equal; some may even be too strong for the job. Find out which cleaners to avoid and which are best for cleaning painted walls.

Commercial Wall Cleaners

Most multi-surface or all-purpose cleaners are safe for use on a painted wall. Nonetheless, check the instructions and ingredients on the brand label for precautions before use.

Avoid using cleaners containing bleach and other harsh chemicals, and choose one suitable for your wall paint type. For example, while a mild degreaser is safe on gloss or semi-gloss paint, it may strip the paint on a flat finish.

Ways to Keep Painted Walls Clean

Wall cleaning takes time and effort, and there’s no reason to repeat the process more than necessary. Discover some ideas to help keep your interior walls clean and prevent stains.

The best way to maintain your painted walls to keep them looking nice is to clean them regularly. Use the vacuum brush attachment on your cleaner to clean the walls from the ceiling to the floor to remove dust, pet hair, and spider webs.

You can also spray a cloth mop with electrostatic dusting spray to wipe down the paint and keep dirt from clinging to the wall surface.

Use an eraser or wall cleaner to remove stains as soon as you discover them since the longer they sit, the more problematic they are to remove. Check the wall edges periodically for fingerprints and sticky residue, and clean the area with soapy water and a soft towel.

Never use harsh cleaners or a cleaner that contains chlorine bleach on a painted wall, which causes color fading or bleeding, and avoid cleaning the paint with abrasive scouring pads.

Cleaning painted walls differs from cleaning other surfaces since you risk color fading if you use the wrong cleaner.

Luckily, there are simple home remedies for removing stains from painted walls, whether it’s an oil stain, water stain, or another tough stain. All you need is a bit of soapy water or vinegar and some elbow grease, and you’ll have a clean wall in no time.

We hope you enjoyed discovering how to remove stains from painted walls, and we’d love it if you’d share our tips for cleaning a painted wall with your circle of family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest.