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From
Wall to Wall |
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 Fabric
Walls - Fabric
wall coverings such
as grass cloth is
delicate. Clean this
with a hand-held vacuum. |
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Artistic
Approach to Cleaning
- If your non-washable
wallpaper is soiled,
try rubbing it gently
with an art gum eraser. |
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Grease
on Wallpaper -
If a greasy substance
spots wallpaper, quickly
blot it with a clean
paper towel. Then,
hold a fresh sheet
of absorbent paper
on the spot and press
with a warm, but not
hot, iron. Old grease
spots require a commercial
stain remover.
When
you have grease on
nonwashable wallpaper,
try a mixture of baking
soda and dry cleaning
fluid. Apply to the
spot and when the
paste become dry,
brush it off. Repeat
if necessary. |
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Test
it First - When
using a cleaning agent
on wallpaper for the
first time, be sure
to first test the
solution on an inconspicuous
spot on the wall to
determine if it will
damage the pattern
or the paper. |
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Removing
Crayon Marks -
Silver polish will
remove crayon marks
on a vinyl wall coverings.
Apply with a clean
cloth. You can also
remove crayon marks
on wallpaper by sponging
them with a dry-cleaning
solvent. |
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Felt-Tip
Markers - Children
love felt-tip markers,
but they sometimes
use walls as a canvas.
If the marker is alcohol-based,
try applying a shot
of non-oily hair spray
or rubbing alcohol
and then blot it up.
If the marker is water
based, clean with
a mixture of dishwashing
liquid and color-safe
bleach or pre-wash
spray. |
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Wash
Before you Paint
- Wash painted walls
to recover their luster
before you decide
to repaint. The cost
of cleaning is a fraction
of the cost of a new
paint job. |
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Dusting
is the First Step
- Cover a broom
with flannel cloth
and dust painted wall
surfaces before washing
them. Change the cloth
when it gets dirty.
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Cleaning
Painted Walls
- The best way to
wash painted walls
is to work quickly
on small areas starting
at the bottom and
going up. A three
foot by three foot
square is a good working
area. Always use a
cloth or sponge that
you've wrung out thoroughly
in order to prevent
drips that may leave
streaks on the wall.
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Colored
Cloths Out - Don't
use dyed cloths or
sponges to clean your
walls as some dyes
may leave streaks.
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Two
Buckets are Better
than One - When
you clean walls or
floors use two buckets
- one filled with
water and the other
with cleaning solution
- rather than just
one that combines
water and the cleaning
agent. When your sponge
gets dirty, clean
in the water first
and wring it out before
dipping it into the
cleaner. This makes
your cleaning solution
last longer. |
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Dispose
of Sponges Regularly
- Sponges are inexpensive.
Change them regularly
as they can be breeding
grounds for an array
of germs and other
microscopic nasties
that you don't want
on your kitchen counters.
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No
Streaks - When
washing painted walls,
wipe them dry with
terry-cloth towels
to prevent streaking. |
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Cobwebs
be Gone - The
best way to reach
cobwebs in ceiling
corners is to slip
an old cotton sock
over the end of a
yardstick and secure
it with a rubber band.
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Lift
Cobwebs Away -
Vacuum cobwebs away
or lift them from
the walls using a
broom covered with
cloth. Don't push
them into the walls.
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Clean
Baseboards Last
- Baseboards are usually
the dirtiest part
of the walls. Save
them for last. Initially,
clean your baseboards
with a damp cloth,
then use a sponge
to wash them thoroughly.
Finally, dry them
with a towel. |
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Wood
Paneling - Usually,
wood paneling can
be cleaned by the
simple application
of a mild wood cleaner
like Murphy's Oil.
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Paneling
Magic - Wood paneling
that has been badly
stained needs stronger
medicine than normal
wood cleaners. A mixture
of 1/2 cup turpentine,
3/4 cup boiled linseed
oil and one tablespoon
of vinegar can be
used to clean unwaxed
wood paneling that
has been varnished
or shellacked. Let
the solution stand
on the wall for 15
minutes and then rub
with a soft cloth
until all of the cleaning
agent is removed.
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