Maintaining Your Wall Finishes

In our last two blog entries, we examined the various types of wall finishes. A common topic that comes up about wall finishes is maintenance and proper repair. All walls are subject to dirt, contaminants, etc… and can be properly cleaned and maintained on a regular basis to maintain their luster. Wallpaper and wall murals are two types of wall finishes that raise the most questions when it comes to proper care. The investment in these types of finishes is more costly, so it’s important to protect and maintain  these finishes; looking new for an extended time period.

Cleaning painted surfaces

Maintenance cleaning is vital to the overall service life of a painted surface. However, when selecting a cleaner, be sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner. If cleaning a waterborne paint, avoid products that are ammoniated. Mild, soapy water will generally suffice.  However, always test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not damage the paint film.

Cleaning Wallcoverings

As with any quality product, proper care and maintenance will extend the useful life of your vinyl wallcovering and help maintain its original beauty and finish. The following general cleaning instructions will serve as a guide to normal cleaning maintenance.

Vinyl wallcovering should be washed regularly enough to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating, and to maintain the original beauty of the vinyl. Depending on traffic (light, medium, heavy), vinyl should be washed from once to two or three times a year.

Materials, which could potentially stain the wallcovering, should be removed as quickly as possible to eliminate any possible reaction between the staining agent and the wallcovering. Time is especially important for removing materials containing colours or solvents such as ballpoint pen ink, shampoo, tints and some foodstuffs. If soil remains on the wallcovering too long, permanent discoloration may develop.

It should be noted that vinyl wallcoverings should not be sprayed with wax or other protective coatings. Such applications would only tend to discolour the material, and, in any case, would offer little protection.

How to Clean Vinyl Wallcovering

Routine Dirt and Grime – Wash wallcovering with a low frothing detergent (a mild dishwashing liquid) in warm water. Clean from the bottom of the wall upward. Rinse thoroughly with clean warm water, from top down, using a sponge. Change water frequently. Deeply embossed wallcoverings need extra attention to remove suds or loosened dirt from depressed surfaces. Dry wallcoverings with soft, lint free cloth or towel.

Severe Dirt Conditions – Scrub wallcovering with a low frothing detergent in warm water, using a soft bristle-brush. Clean from the bottom of the wall upward. Remove the soap residue by patting with a damp sponge. The wall should be rinsed with clean water.

Not recommended for cleaning are powdered abrasive cleaners or steel wool, as they may mar the surface, causing an unsightly appearance.

DO NOT USE ACTIVE SOLVENT TYPE CLEANING PREPERATIONS SUCH AS NAIL POLISH REMOVER, STRONG ALKALINE MATERIALS, BLEACHING AGENTS OR AMMONIA. These will remove print and / or finish from the wallcovering.

The basic order of usage of cleaners of stains on vinyl wallcovering should be:

1.    Warm water.

2.    Warm water plus mild dishwashing liquid.

In contrast, fabric wallcoverings vary fabric type and manufacterers' instructions should be consulted for cleaning instructions.