Do not put pressure on the wall as you vacuum it. Lightly rub the vacuum over it and allow the suction to pick up dirt. [2] X Research source Pick a section of the wall. Start at the top and move the vacuum from side to side, then down, until you reach the floor. When you reach the floor, move on to the next section. Use a ladder if you cannot reach the ceiling. Empty the vacuum cleaner before beginning this process.
Consider wearing gloves to keep your hands clean during this process.
Glossy enamel paints tend to hold up best to abrasive cleaners. Flat, satin, and eggshell latex paints are sensitive to washing. [9] X Research source
This should be enough to clean most stains from beverages, like coffee or wine. If you believe that your whole wall needs a heavy cleaning, then you could use the solution throughout the room. Generally though, a light cleaning without heavy solutions should suffice for anything but a heavy stain. The risk of damage to your paint job outweighs the benefits of using a cleaning solution on the entire wall.
For a baking soda paste, mix ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Mix thoroughly and then apply it to the sponge. A degreaser can be particularly useful when cleaning grease splatters.
Do not use a sharp knife.
Consider placing a towel on the ground to absorb any spilt water.
Alternatively, you can put an all-purpose cleaner and a little Bar Keepers Friend on the crayon marks. Then scrub with a brush. [15] X Expert Source Daniel OlinHome Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 12 October 2021. See if it is possible to clean the crayon marks without removing a lot of paint. [16] X Expert Source Daniel OlinHome Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 12 October 2021. If too much paint is going to be lost, it may be better to paint over the dirty area. [17] X Expert Source Daniel OlinHome Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.
You may need to repeat this step several times to remove the stain.
If you do damage the plaster, fill in the area with joint compound.
Repeat this process until you have cleaned the wall. Ideally, once you have scrapped off a portion of the paint, you will be able to use the putty knife to remove the rest, without using a chemical stripper.
