How to Clean Walls Without Damaging Paint
Keep your walls clean and fresh without damaging the existing paint with these helpful tips.
How to Clean Painted Walls
Pencil, pen, lipstick, marker, coffee, crayon—even the errant soccer ball: Your walls face unavoidable wear and tear every day. Luckily, when you use latex paint—the most common type of interior paint—wall cleaning is easy.
Learning how to clean painted walls properly can help maintain your home's appearance and extend the life of your paint.
Ideally, your walls are painted with a high-quality interior paint like Regal® Select Interior. Regal Select resists stains, spills, and scuffs—and its durable finish washes clean without losing color or sheen integrity.
Get step-by-step guidance on how to clean a painted wall.
How Often to Clean Walls
Just painted? Here are some tips on caring for newly painted walls:
- Ideally, wait at least two weeks for newly painted walls to cure before dusting or cleaning them using the tips below.
- If spills or stains happen sooner, you can safely clean a newly painted wall after four to six hours using the cleaning tips noted below.
Supplies Checklist: Cleaning Painted Walls
Step 1: Inspect Your Interior Wall’s Paint Finish
Knowing the finish of your wall will help you determine how much you can scrub without damaging the paint. Generally speaking, the higher the gloss or sheen, the easier it is to clean (e.g., satin/pearl, semi-gloss, high gloss). Lower sheens like flat, matte, and eggshell require a gentler touch.
Step 2: Prep Before Cleaning Walls
Before you start cleaning your walls, gather everything you’ll need to complete the task.
Prepare one bucket of washing solution and a second bucket of clean water to rinse the surfaces.
Place towels or rags along the floors and baseboards to catch excess dirt, dust, and water.
Step 3: Try Cleaning Your Walls with Water First
How do you wash a wall? One of the best cleaning agents is plain water, so let’s start there.
Before washing a wall, be sure to dust it first. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to gently remove surface dust and dirt.
Gently rub lighter stains and scuffs with a large, non-abrasive sponge dampened with warm water.
Pro Tip Spotlight:
Never use glass cleaner or a heavy-duty household spray cleaner on a painted wall. They contain strong solvents that can damage the finish.
Step 4: Try a Mild Cleaning Solution
If warm water isn’t effective on marks, scuffs, and stains, advance to a mixture of warm water and mild dish detergent.
Wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands, begin washing at the bottom of the wall and work your way up so the cleaning solution doesn’t run down the wall and cause streaks that may be difficult to remove.
Work in small, manageable sections, rubbing gently in a circular motion to avoid damaging the paint. Rinse the cleaning solution as you go with the warm water and sponge from your rinse bucket.
Step 5: Consider an Alternate Cleaner for Tougher Stains on Painted Walls
For tougher stains, try one of the gentler household cleaners listed below. Choose the one best suited for your indoor environment, and avoid using a combination of products:
- All-purpose cleaner like Method® or Fantastik®
- Simple Green®
- Plant-derived cleaner such as Mrs. Meyers® Clean Day
Once you’ve selected a product, it’s time to clean your wall. For best results, follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the bottle and be sure to clean the wall from the bottom up to prevent streaks and drips from running down. Rub gently in a circular motion to avoid damaging the paint. Don’t scrub too hard; let the solution do the work.
Helpful Tip
The higher the gloss or sheen, the easier to clean. The lower the sheen, the gentler you should be.
Step 6: Dry the Walls
Once your walls are clean, make sure they are nice and dry to prevent moisture damage or mildew. Simply wiping with a soft, absorbent cloth will do the trick.
Consider using Regal® Select Interior on Your Clean Walls
Ready to paint? Choose Regal® Select Interior, Benjamin Moore’s standard for excellence, offering superior coverage with unbeatable flow and leveling.
Its stain-release technology means pencil, pen, marker, crayon, lipstick, and other tough stains wash clean without the paint losing color or sheen integrity, so walls retain their freshly painted appearance longer.
Formulated to drastically reduce scuff marks, Regal Select Interior preserves premium results in high-traffic areas, including hallways and stairwells.
Interested in learning more?
Check out these professional tips and tricks:
- How to Prepare Walls for Painting: Covers sanding, removing mildew, and priming, plus a helpful video.
- How to Paint Interior Walls: Set yourself up for success by watching our step-by-step video for expert guidance.
- How to Paint Window Trim: Revitalize any space by giving the trim a fresh coat of paint.
Find more how-tos and step-by-step guides on our Interior Projects and Exterior Projects pages. And as always, for the best expert insights on everything paint, visit your locally owned Benjamin Moore store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the best way to clean walls?
A. Most walls can be washed using a non-abrasive sponge dampened with warm water. If that isn’t effective, a mixture of warm water and mild dish detergent can do the trick. For tougher stains, a product like Method® or Fantastik® may be used.
First, gently remove surface dust and dirt from the wall using the brush attachment of your vacuum. Clean the wall from the bottom up to prevent streaks from running down. Rub gently in a circular motion; do not scrub too hard. Rinse the cleaning solution as you go with warm water and a sponge. Finally, make sure to let the area dry thoroughly.
Want to learn more? Get more tips on preparing walls for painting.
Q. Which paint finish is most washable?
A. Generally speaking, higher gloss paint finishes like satin/pearl, semi-gloss, and high gloss are easier to clean. Lower sheens like flat, matte, and eggshell can be cleaned but require a gentler touch.
Benjamin Moore’s Regal® Select Interior is one of our most washable paints. With superior flow and leveling for a quality finish, it stands up to daily wear and tear. Formulated to drastically reduce scuff marks, Regal Select Interior preserves premium results in high-traffic areas, including hallways and stairwells.
Q. What can I use to clean walls without removing paint?
A. To avoid removing paint when cleaning your walls, use a large, non-abrasive sponge and rub in a circular motion without scrubbing too hard.
For most stains, plain warm water is effective. A solution of water and gentle dish soap may be used for more difficult stains. Use products like Method® and Fantastik® only for the toughest stains.
Q. How long should I wait before washing freshly painted walls?
A. You should ideally wait at least two weeks for newly painted walls to cure before cleaning them. If spills or stains happen sooner, you can safely clean a newly painted wall once the paint has completely dried by using a gentle touch and avoiding strong solvents.
Q. Is acrylic paint washable?
A. Yes, you can wash acrylic-painted walls. Acrylic paints are quite durable and can tolerate washing with mild detergent and water. Remember, it’s best not to wash newly painted walls until they have cured for two weeks.
As for removing acrylic paint from unwanted surfaces, timing is critical. If you spill acrylic paint, wipe it up as quickly as possible with a soft rag. Use warm water and a sponge to make sure all of it comes up. Isopropyl alcohol or anything with acetone will help remove more stubborn paint spots on surfaces. On fabric, dishwashing soap, isopropyl alcohol, or acetone-based nail polish remover typically works as well. Before using isopropyl alcohol (or any cleaning agent) on a surface or fabric, be sure to test it in an inconspicuous place to make sure it doesn’t cause damage.
Benjamin Moore’s Regal® Select Interior is one of our most washable paints with excellent hide, spatter resistance, and seamless touch-ups.
