You should clean smudges and dirt around doorknobs and light switches weekly.

Large splatters and scribblings withcrayonsshould be cleaned immediately for the best results.

Before You Begin

it’s possible for you to dust every throw in of paint finish.

White wall being cleaned with green microfiber cloth and gloved behind white bucket and sponges

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

However, the paint punch in and the finish determinehow best to clean it.

Determine your kind of paint and check the lists below for pre-cleaning tips.

Tip

Always use a sturdy step stool or ladder when reaching high spots.

Materials and tools to clean walls

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Fill a second bucket with clean water.

Start at the top of the wall and, working in a small section, move down the wall.

Starting at the top prevents drips from falling on areas already cleaned.

Vacuum with dusting brush removing dust from wall

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Rinse out the sponge frequently.

Rinse away any soapy residue as you move down the wall.

Do not allow these areas to become excessively wet.

All purpose cleaner poured into spoon over white bucket for solution to clean walls

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

The gentle abrasive action of the baking soda should remove the problem.

How to Clean Oil-Based Painted Walls

Dust the Walls

Begin by dusting the walls.

Dusting will prevent loose dirt from being moved around while you clean.

Microfiber dripping cleaning solution over white bucket to clean walls

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Fill a second bucket with plain water for rinsing.

Using a light touch, the abrasive action will remove almost all scuffs.

Unfortunately, you will likely need to repaint water-stained walls.

Walls rinsed with clean water and blue microfiber cloth

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

The costs vary drastically on the size of the job and how difficult the mold situation is.

An all-purpose cleaner or dishwashing liquid is the best cleaner for painted walls.

Clean baseboardsusing the same steps recommended for walls.

Sponge dipped in baking soda passing over light switch to clean heavy soiled areas

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Dust, clean with a warm, soapy solution, and tackle any difficult scuff marks.

Work your way down the wall lightly skimming the surface with the brush or duster.

Clean a duster often to prevent redepositing the dirt.

Oil-based paint wall being dusted of loose dirt

The Spruce / Danielle Moore

The best way to prevent marks is to clean the entire wall following our recommended steps.

Spot cleaning small areas can leave marks because the rest of the wall also needs to be cleaned.

Dust and dust mites.

White buckets with cleaning solution of dishwashing liquid and vinegar

The Spruce / Danielle Moore

Microfiber cloth ringed with cleaning solution

The Spruce / Danielle Moore

Stain on oil-based painted wall cleaned with melamine sponge

The Spruce / Danielle Moore