How to Clean Walls With Matte Paint?
Are you wondering how to clean your walls with matte paint?
We’ve got the answer.
Flat and matte paints can be a challenge to clean. But never fear – you can still get rid of that dirt.
Depending on the severity of your walls’ stains, you can get them clean without much effort. Follow these steps, and your walls will be crystal clear in no time:
- Preventative dusting
- Preventative washing
- Cleaning with warm water & gentle soap
- Cleaning with baking soda
- Cleaning with vinegar
- Using a magic eraser
Preventative cleaning for walls with matte paint
Dusting
Wall dusting is an essential part of maintaining your home (and your matte-painted walls).
A little elbow grease goes a long way in avoiding build-up on your walls.
Before you wash walls, use the vacuum’s attachment to get rid of any excess dirt. Take care not to damage the walls.
If you are using your hands to dust, you can use tack cloths or cheese-cloth fabrics, which work great on any surface to remove dirt.
You’ll also want to make sure to dust around doors and knobs, which are prime targets for dirty fingerprints.
General Washing
After painting your walls, it is best to wait at least two weeks before using any water on the surface of these freshly- painted areas.
To clean effectively without damaging surfaces, use either a soft cloth/sponge dipped into a mild soap mixture (make sure you only wet enough materials).
Always remember to wring out your cloth after cleaning the car thoroughly. Too much water can ruin paint finishes, so be mindful of how much you use!
Spot cleaning for walls with matte paint
First off, you want to begin by removing any dust or dirt that you see with a soft dry cloth.
Once you have swept away the dust particles, it’s time to get rid of unwanted materials that may stick on the walls.
Grab your vacuum cleaner and run it over the wall – this should pick up any small pieces of dirt or grit attached to your matte paint.
If all else fails, try using a slightly damp sponge to take off any remaining particles. You can also mix some vinegar with your water if needed!
The vinegar will break down any stubborn spots, often composed of oil or grease.
Make sure that you use a minimal amount of vinegar on the sponge itself – too much could damage your paint!
Still not clean?
You could also try mixing a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub your solution over the problem area. Then rinse with a sponge. And dry with a soft cloth.
To get rid of a tough spot on your paint, use an eraser sponge.
It’s gentle and will not damage the flat surface so you can continue to enjoy its beauty without worrying about more stains showing up later!
For incredibly stubborn wall stains, apply a gentle store-bought foam cleanser. Follow the directions printed on the container for the best results.
Lastly, use a clean dishtowel or paper towels to pat your walls dry to ensure no water is left behind.
Don’t forget!
To avoid any damage to the paint finish, you must test your cleaning solution and technique on a hidden spot. If there are no watermarks left after drying, everything worked as planned!
What is matte paint?
What is flat paint, anyway? Flat (Matte) paint doesn’t reflect light like most colors do, making it excellent for hiding imperfections in ceilings and accent walls. It also provides a better canvas than glossy or semi-gloss paints for creating an artistic mural on your wall.
Some things can’t be removed from flat surfaces without damaging them—like oil-based stains—so it’s essential to know when you have this type of surface before attempting any cleaning technique.
Identify the type of paint
Before you start cleaning, make sure that the walls are matte. This does not mean they have an uneven or rough texture; instead, it means there isn’t any shine on them at all!
A flat color can be used for hiding imperfections in ceilings and accenting furniture. Specifically, it refers to paints that contain 0-10% gloss.
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Make sure your cabinet of cleaning supplies includes the following essentials, which you’ll need to clean flat paint walls:
- Sponge or cloth
- White vinegar
- Magic Eraser sponge
- Foam cleanser
- Detergent
- Touch up paint and paintbrush
How do you clean a matte flat wall?
To clean a matte flat wall, gather a bucket, sponge, cleaning solution, and cloth.
Mix the cleaning solution in the bucket according to the instructions on the bottle. Dampen the sponge in the solution and wring out any excess liquid. Wipe down the wall from top to bottom using gentle circular motions. Use a dry cloth to polish the wall until it is streak-free. Repeat as necessary.
How do I get rid of lint stuck on matte wall paint?
When lint sticks onto walls painted with matte finishes, it’s usually because fibers from clothing rub off on it. To remove lint, gently rub it away with a dry cloth. If the lint is challenging to remove, use tape to pick it off, dampen a sponge in soapy water and wipe down the wall from top to bottom. Polish the wall with a dry cloth until it is completely free of streaks.
How do you clean matte walls without removing paint?
The best way to clean matte walls is by using a gentle solution made of dish soap and water.
Matte paint is difficult to clean because it doesn’t have a shine or gloss to it. Not only that, but if you try to clean flat paint with a cleaning product that has any ammonia in it, it will strip the paint right off the wall. So what can you do to clean matte walls without removing paint?
Mix a small amount of dish soap in water and use a soft cloth to clean the walls. Be sure not to scrub too hard, as this could also remove the paint. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove any dust or dirt from the matte walls.
Does Magic Eraser clean matte (flat) paint?
Yes, Magic Eraser is great for cleaning matte paint. The soft sponge will remove any dirt or dust without damaging the paint. Just make sure to wet the sponge before use and be gentle when scrubbing. You may need to do a few passes to remove all the dirt.
For tough stains or marks, you can try using a bit of bleach or ammonia on the Magic Eraser sponge. Be very careful when using these chemicals, and always test them in a hidden area first to make sure they don’t damage the paint. If everything goes well, you can use them on tougher marks with confidence.
Is matte paint hard to clean on walls?
No, matte paint is easy to clean if you know the proper methods.
It has been around for years and is not going away. It comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes that many people find very appealing because of its flat shiny surfaces with a velvet-like finish.
The most important thing is to start with a clean, drywall before painting it. Matte paint is non-porous, which means that dirt particles will stick to the surface.
If you have not cleaned your wall for a while, then you might want to consider using an all-purpose cleaner that cuts through grease, dust, and dirt just to be sure everything is off of the walls. Getting rid of dust and grime is essential because it helps the paint adhere better to the wall without any visible signs of peeling or cracking later on down the road.
How do you clean nonwashable painted walls?
You will need to buy a cleaning product specifically for painted walls.
Test the product on an inconspicuous area of the wall before cleaning to make sure it does not damage the paint.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to apply the product gently to the wall. Wipe away any dirt or stains with a damp cloth. Let the wall dry completely before painting over it.
Painted walls that are not washable can be a challenge to clean. The paint is not like a traditional surface that you can wash with water and soap.
There are unique products and techniques that you will need to clean the walls without damaging them or the paint.
How do you clean flat paint walls with vinegar?
To clean walls with flat or matte paint, mix one-part vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle.
Shake well and then spritz the mixture onto the wall. Next, wipe the walls down with a soft cloth dampened with the vinegar solution.
Be sure to avoid getting the solution on any other surfaces, as it can damage them.
The vinegar will help dissolve dirt and grease and leave your walls looking clean and shiny.
How to clean fingerprints off matte walls?
Matte paint is a popular alternative to gloss paint because it has a subtler look and is less likely to show streaks or smudges.
However, fingerprints are more noticeable because it doesn’t have the shine of gloss paint. Here are a few tips for cleaning fingerprints off matte walls:
- Try using warm water, or warm water with a gentle wash
- Try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Wet the eraser and rub it over the fingerprint until it disappears.
- Try a paste made from baking soda and water if that doesn’t work. Apply the paste to a cloth and scrub the fingerprint until it fades.
- Try a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover if that doesn’t work. Rub the swab over the fingerprint until it disappears.
How to get rid of watermarks on flat paint?
It’s frustrating when you’ve just finished painting your walls a beautiful, flat matte color, and within a few weeks, watermarks start to appear. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also be challenging to remove. The good news is that there are several ways to remove watermarks from matte paint without damaging the finish.
The most important thing to remember is not to use harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, as these can damage the paint surface.
Instead, try one of the following methods:
- For light watermarks, apply gentle heat with a hairdryer and then wipe away with a soft cloth.
- For more stubborn marks, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the mark with a small brush. Let it dry, and then scrape away gently.
If none of these methods work the first time, don’t give up!
Experiment to find which one works best for your wall type. And remember: always protect matte paint by using coasters under drinks and trying not to wet the walls as much as possible. With luck and patience, you can keep those watermarks at bay!
