Advice from the Professional Painters

Top Tips for Removing Stains on Walls

Unsightly stains on walls are common occurrences. Here are a few simple tips to painlessly remove stubborn stains on walls.

How for effectively removing stains on walls

Understanding how to effectively go about removing stains from your walls will substantially improve the appearance of your property. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when you are removing stains from walls. Here are some wall stain removal tip from the Pros at Brush Brothers Painting.

Start with the Gentlest Wall Stain Removal Method First

When you begin the process of removing stains from walls, it is critical to start with the gentlest method first. This can go a long way toward protecting the underlying paint job and preventing you from simply exacerbating the existing problem. In some situations, stains can be removed with as simple a method as using a sponge and water. We always recommend you start with gentlest methods and work up to the harsher strategies, you will likely prevent damage to your paint job.

Keep Your Paint Type in Mind

Various paint types will react differently to various cleaning methods. In general, glossy paints tend to be more resilient to damage than other types. Consult with our expert team to determine the ideal cleaning methods to use with each various paint type. This can substantially reduce the risk of accidentally damaging your paint job by using a harsh cleanser on a paint that can’t handle it. To learn more about types of paint, be sure to check out our post here.

Implement Test Spots on Your Stains

Test spots can go a long way toward protecting your paint job and the wall. It is important to test your cleaning solution on an unobtrusive portion of the wall before you attempt to use it to clean. Adding the step of a test spot will help to prevent damage to your paint job and protect the overall appearance of your wall.

Cleaning Solutions

There are many, many solutions for cleaning the walls, especially when it comes to removing stains. You can wade through endless recipes for “all-natural cleaning solutions” and other alternatives. Here are a few solutions, ranging from extremely easy to slightly more involved, for removing stains, dirt, and grime from the surface of your walls.

Water and a Sponge

The most basic cleaning solution possible is to attempt to remove the stain by using a sponge and water. If this method doesn’t work, you can take it a step further and use a solution of warm water and mild soap. If this still doesn’t work, you can use a more comprehensive cleaning solution consistent of ½ cup of vinegar, 1 cup of ammonia, ¼ cup of baking soda, and one gallon of warm water. Again, ensure that you test this solution on your wall prior to implementing it.

Baking Soda Paste

Another possible cleaning solution involves the use of a baking soda paste. This paste is created by adding a small amount of water to baking soda. First, test the solution on a patch of the wall. If it doesn’t leave behind any apparent blemishes, you can likely use it to clean the wall. You can use it primarily to remove stains or to clean the entire surface of the wall. This method is very effective at removing layers of grime from your walls. Here is a PRO TIP: It is important to ensure that you scrub gently while cleaning to prevent damage to your paint job.

Cleaning Erasers

Luckily, cleaning erasers are tools that are designed specifically to spot-clean or remove stains from walls. You can likely obtain them from your local grocery store. Remember, it is important to ensure that you spot test the cleaning eraser before using it on a large portion of your wall, otherwise, it is likely to simply exacerbate the stain. Take care to follow the instructions on the eraser’s packaging. Gently rub the mark to try to remove the stain.

Wall Cleaner

Fortunately, there are many available wall cleaners that are designed specifically for walls. These may be the best option for removing stains from your walls. Another option is to simply use an all-purpose cleaner. But, remember, it is important to ensure that you spot test the cleaner prior to using it to remove stains.

Consider the Source of the Stain

It is important to pay attention to the source of the stain. Some of these general cleaning methods may not be effective at removing different types of stains. Here are some approaches to help remove various difficult stains from the surface of your walls.

Permanent Marker

The Dreaded Permanent Marker Stains on Walls

However, when it comes to stains, a permanent marker stain is an incredibly difficult substance to remove from your walls, which may cause you to panic when your child gets ahold of a sharpie. You may be able to remove permanent marker by spraying the stain with hairspray and wiping away the mixture. Or you can try our favorite solution, which is to soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and use it to gently dab at the stain.

Ink Marks on Walls

Pen Ink is another substance that can be relatively difficult to remove. You may want to rub foaming shaving cream over the surface of the stain to aid in the removal. If that doesn’t work, don’t forget to try the old cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to dab at the ink.

Water Stains

Water stains can be caused in many ways, often by leaking pipes or other damage to the property. It is incredibly important to identify and repair the underlying cause of the water stain to minimize the total damage to your property. After these repairs have been made, it will be useful to know how to remove the appearance of the water stain from your wall. Mix a concoction of 10% bleach and 90% water. Add this mixture to a spray bottle and spray the area. If the water stain doesn’t disappear after this point, it is possible that repainting will be the most effective way to restore the wall to its prior appearance.

Sometimes…Painting May be the Best Solution

A new paint job may be the superior solution for ridding your home of the appearance of stains. In some situations, a new paint job can help to cover the stains without causing damage to the wall. Here at Brush Brothers Painting, our team is dedicated to providing you with excellent painting services to ensure the best appearance for your property. We implement safety techniques to provide you with the paint job that will meet all of your expectations. To learn more about our painting services, contact our expert team at Brush Brothers Painting today!

We serve all of Northwest Arkansas including Benton and Washington Counties and the cities including Bentonville, Centerton, Rogers, Bella Vista, Springdale, and Fayetteville. Contact us today at (479) 321-2466 or visit our website at www.NWAPaint.com for a free no-obligation quote.