How to Clean White Walls

As you have probably noticed, we are big fans of using white paint colors on interior walls. White walls look beautiful and can brighten up any room! But they also show dirt more than any other color. As much as white walls are our favorite, over the years, I have had to work on keeping them looking good. Although now that my children are older, it seems to be much easier to keep them clean.

But if you still have young children at home and your white walls look a little dingy, don’t worry! With the right cleaning supplies and some elbow grease, you can make them look good as new in no time.

How Often Should I Clean White Walls?

How often you clean white walls is a personal preference. It also can depend on if you have small children and pets in your home. Small kids and pets tend to keep areas around the house, especially walls, dirtier. I would suggest cleaning your white walls at least once a year, if not twice. Spring is always a great time to clean your walls while you are making other Spring cleaning lists.

Another clear indication that your white walls need to be cleaned is if you see lots of scuffs, dirt, and debris on the walls. A great time to check out to see how dirty the walls are is when direct sunlight is shining on the walls. If you notice that they don’t look that great, you may want to go ahead and get on the cleaning.

How to Clean White Walls

Gather Supplies

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all the supplies you need. All you’ll need is some warm water, mild dish soap or detergent, and some microfiber cloths. If there are any tough stains that won’t come out with soap and water alone, you may also want to grab some white vinegar and baking soda. I also like to use a magic eraser on scuff marks. Another thing that is handy to have is a long dust mop for unreachable dirt and corner cobwebs.

• warm water
• mild dish soap or detergent(I prefer Dawn)
• white vinegar
• microfiber cloth
• magic eraser
• tall dust mop

Dust First

Before you start cleaning your white walls, it’s important that you dust them first. Dusting removes the top layer of dirt so that your cleaning solution can get deep into the pores of the paint and really do its job properly. Use a microfiber cloth or a feather duster for the best results.

Wash the Walls

The first step in cleaning the white walls is to wash the walls. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap with one quart of warm water in a bucket or large bowl. Dip your microfiber cloth into the mixture and wring it out until it’s damp but not soaking wet. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down in small sections, wiping off dirt and dust as you go. If your home is like ours, you will not be able to reach the high places on the wall. We have 10” ceilings and even higher in some rooms that are vaulted. This is where a ladder or a tall dust mop or Swiffer will come in handy.

Be sure not to scrub too hard. You don’t want to cause any damage! Once the wall is clean, use another dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining moisture.

Tackle Tough Stains

If there are any tough stains that won’t come out with soap and water alone, mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda together until it forms a thick paste. Spread the paste over the stained area using an old toothbrush or small paintbrush. Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Repeat as necessary until all traces of the stain have been removed.

Another method I have used is to use a magic eraser to get off scuffs or marks. Gently rub the eraser on the scuff or mark, making sure not to bare down too hard. Then take a damp cloth and gently wipe away any excess.

Final Tips

When it comes to cleaning white walls, that’s all there is to it! Remember to dust first, choose the right cleaner for your wall type, and scrub gently when applying it. Following these tips will help ensure that all traces of dirt are removed without causing any damage!

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