Maintaining clean painted walls
No matter how house proud you are or how careful you try to be, over time your painted walls will gather various marks and smears that are all part and parcel of a well-lived-in home.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise grime building up, as well as simple cleaning tips to use when accidents occur. Here we offer advice on the best ways to maintain a painted wall to maximise its beauty and ensure longevity.
1. Choose a paint that is durable and easy to maintain
There are many types of paint available – but they are not all created equally. Using water-based paint is not only kinder to the environment, but it also means that they dry beautifully, are resistant to peeling and can be cleaned much easier without the need to use of harsh cleaning products.
Our V&CO paints are made using a water-based formula that offers superior durability and ultimate dirt and stain resistance. Despite the attractiveness of our colour palettes, the paints are all incredibly hardwearing and scrubbable – meaning you don’t always need to be so kind and gentle when it comes to cleaning.
2. Dust your walls regularly
Dusting your walls regularly is the best way to maintain your painted walls to ensure they stay looking crisp and cobweb free. You could use a microfibre dust cloth or a long-handle duster to sweep over your walls every couple of months to clear off the majority of the dust and dirt that has accumulated over time. Alternatively, you could use a hand-held vacuum to ensure all the dust is collected and removed more effectively.
You may need to take down pictures or move furniture in order to get to areas that are covered, and don’t forget the ceiling; despite gravity, some airborne dust collects there too!
3. Use a damp sponge to remove marks
To remove most fingerprints, marks, and scratches, all you need is a soft sponge and some warm, soapy water. Light marks can be dabbed away with a small amount of warm soapy water, and you should use this cleaning approach as a first calling point in all instances.
Simply dip your sponge in the warm water and then wring it out to get rid of the excess water – this will stop it from running down the paint and causing streaks.
4. Get tough with harsher stains
Sometimes stubborn stains need a little more effort, and as our paint is extra scrubbable, you don’t have to worry about damaging the paint quality to remove them.
To remove greasy marks from your walls, you can use white vinegar to dilute the stain. Just mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water and use a soft sponge to tackle the grease. You can also try using washing-up liquid and warm water if you don’t have the vinegar to hand.
Remember that V&CO is tough enough to handle a scouring pad, so if you’ve got some particularly stubborn marks like pencil, marker pen or red wine, then you may need to opt for this method as a last resort.
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5. Maintain your paint finish
Regular cleaning will help your paint finish last longer. Our Dead-Flat Matt paint is much easier to maintain than other alternatives, and with just a little love and maintenance every so often, you can ensure your interior décor stays just as beautiful as the day it was painted.
For more tips and advice on painting your walls using V&CO paint, take a read of our other online articles.
