How to Clean Walls Fast and Easy

Let's talk about the best way to clean walls fast and easy without the use of harsh chemicals. 

We all have our cleaning routines, don't we? Regular dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, and whatnot. Yet, isn't it true that sometimes, we overlook the substantial canvases in our homes that quietly gather dust, grease, and grime over time - yes, our dear walls!

From the fingerprints of our toddlers to the splashes from last week's spaghetti dinner, our walls silently record the story of our lives. So, today, let's roll up our sleeves, arm ourselves with the right tools, and dive into the surprisingly satisfying world of washing our walls!

I'm here to guide you through the process and make it as fun and efficient as possible. Let's get started.

Why Wash Walls?

Interior walls get dirty just like ceilings do. Dust and dirt float through the air and stick on the flat surfaces where they land.

Wall washing is part of the process for having a clean and fresh home, and, if you do any amount of cooking, kitchen walls can be even more in need of washing as areas where cooking is done, especially if done with oil, will more readily attract dust and dirt like a magnet! 

*This post may contain affiliate links and I’ll earn a commission if you shop through them. You can read my full disclosure here.

Jump to:

• Why Wash Walls?
• The Easiest Way to Clean Painted Walls
• Supplies
• Paint Finishes - What Type of Painted Wall Do You Have?
• FAQs
• How to Wash Walls in 5 Easy Steps
• What To Do If You Have High Ceilings
• Don't Skip This Step
• Wall Cleaning Tips
• Stronger Wall Cleaning Solution Recipe
• Cleaning Tips for Other Areas in Your Home:
• Where to Start
• Some Extra Wall Washing Tips

The Easiest Way to Clean Painted Walls

Supplies

The items below are the ones I recommend for the best results: 

• Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloths . - microfiber cloth, or other soft cloth. Over the years I've used other rags but the Scotch-Brite scrubbing cloths are great for overall cleaning. Even though the label says dishcloths I use them all over the house for. The scrubbers really help to loosen dirt and make cleaning tasks much easier with the need for less elbow grease.

• Two Buckets - I like to use sturdy buckets because I have found that the cheaper, lightweight plastic ones can break, split, and leak causing a huge mess so this is one of those cases where I recommend spending a few more dollars to avoid a mess.

• White vinegar or a good all purpose cleaner 

• Rubber gloves (optional)

• And lastly, either a Swiffer, Microfiber Dry Mop, or reusable Mop Pad

Paint Finishes - What Type of Painted Wall Do You Have?

It's helpful to know the type of paint used on the wall you want to clean. Specifics may vary and vinegar may not be the best match for your particular situation.

My walls are drywall with washable paint, eggshell finish, and this method has always worked great for my needs.

This is IMPORTANT: Before using these tips spot test on a small area that is out of sight. You don't want your paint to not hold up to this process. But, I have never had a problem on ANY of my walls including my chalkboard wall.

FAQs

Is it safe to use a vinegar solution on flat paint walls?

Yes, you can safely use a vinegar cleaning mixture to clean flat paint. But, again, always test it on a small inconspicuous surface first just to be sure.

Can this method be used on latex paint?

To get a clean wall that has been painted with latex paint, it is best to use a soft sponge (a new clean sponge) and a safe, all-purpose cleaning solution like warm water with a bit of dish soap or a mild dish detergent added to the water. Use the soapy water in place of the vinegar solution below following all of the same steps as those listed to clean dirty walls.

How to spot clean a wall

Spot cleaning can be done with a Magic Eraser. Simply wet the Magic Eraser and squeeze out any excess water or use a spray bottle to lightly mist the eraser and then clean the area in question. This works on scuff marks and other stubborn marks.

How do you get grease stains and other stubborn stains off painted walls

To remove grease stains from painted walls mix one part white vinegar with one part hot water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly on the grease stain. Allow it to sit for several minutes and then wipe with a damp cloth in a circular motion. Work in one small area at a time until the area is clean.

How to Wash Walls in 5 Easy Steps

Step One

First, remove artwork and other objects from your wall. If possible, remove nails so you start with a smooth surface. You also don't want to scratch or cut yourself on a nail, so removal is best.

Step Two - Dust Walls

Use a duster on an extension pole to clean the room including ceiling fans. 

Remove cobwebs and dust bunnies carefully without pressing them against the wall. If you do, it will leave a smudge.

A vacuum cleaner will also work well for this purpose. Attach an extension wand and dusting tool or soft brush attachment to go over the walls and remove any loose dirt or light dust before starting the wall cleaning process.

*I have a Shark vacuum and out of all of the vacuums I have ever owned, this one is the best and cleans everything from carpeted floors to linoleum to my newer laminate flooring with ease.

Another alternative is a feather duster.

What To Do If You Have High Ceilings

If you will be washing areas that you cannot easily reach, attach the cloth, smooth side out, to any Swiffer-type floor cleaner. If you need something longer, you can purchase a 24 - foot extension wall cleaner kit from Amazon that works great.

You will want to start at the top of the wall and work your way down to the bottom of the wall. 

Stop often to shake out your rag. You will be surprised at how much dust has been removed.

Once you have a clean surface you're ready for the next step. 

Don't Skip This Step

Dust baseboards using the smooth side of the cloth or a baseboard cleaning tool. This step is necessary because you don't want any dust build-up from the baseboards to get into your solution.

Switch out to a fresh clean rag as needed.

Wall Cleaning Tips

*The gentle cleaning solution of vinegar and water detailed below is great to use for washing walls as a prep before a fresh coat of paint as well. 

Mix the cleaning solution in a bucket:

• ¼ cup white vinegar to one quart (32 ounces) of warm water.

*Always test your homemade cleaning solution on a small and inconspicuous area first before using.

You're going to want to use two buckets; one with the cleaning solution and another with clean, fresh water for rinsing.

Stronger Wall Cleaning Solution Recipe

If the walls you will be cleaning need a little more cleaning power, use the solution below.

• 1 cup ammonia
• ½ cup vinegar
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1 gallon warm water

Place your cloth/rag into the solution, wring out any excess moisture and start washing. Squeezing out the cloth well is an important step; while cleaning your walls you don't want to make a mess with water dripping down walls and/or onto the floor.

Cleaning Tips for Other Areas in Your Home:

• Do-It Yourself Carpet Cleaning
• How To Keep Your Drains Clog Free
• The Quick and Easy Way to Clean Laminate and Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Just Minutes from Start to Finish
• White Vinegar vs Keurig Descaling Solution - my honest opinion based on taste 😉

Where to Start

Use drop clothes to avoid any mess on the floor or carpeting moving as necessary.

Start at the top of the wall near the ceiling and work your way down doing so in small sections. You don't want to get ahead of yourself. Trust me, I know this from experience. If you do, you will end up with a streaky end result.

Another way to avoid streaking is to slightly overlap each section you clean working from clean to dirty.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned one section (top to bottom) , using the cloth that is in the fresh clean water squeeze water out from the cloth and go over the section of wall you just washed; one section at a time.

*Note: For extra scrubbing action, switch from the smooth side of the cloth to the scrubbing dots side.

Next, take a dry cloth or dry towel and dry the wall you just washed and rinsed then move on to another section of the wall. Replace dirty water as needed so you always have both clean solution and clean water for rinsing.

Once done, stand back and enjoy your clean walls!

Some Extra Wall Washing Tips

• To stop water from running down your arm while washing your walls, use some old fashioned wrist sweatbands. And alternative would be to wrap a washcloth around your wrist and keep it in place with a thick rubber band.
• To remove crayon marks from walls use either baby wipes or a cloth damped with water and dipped in baking soda.

The Scotch-Brite Dish Cloths have received The How-To Home's Product Seal of Approval!