Ever wondered what the best wall cleaning tools are?
Before you renovate your home or engage in DIY projects, you will want to ensure you know what you’re getting into.
If you need to prep your walls for a paint job or drywall installation, then you might be wondering about the best ways to go about it. There are plenty of options to clean your walls out there. Isn’t a damp rag as good as anything else?
Today, we wanted to review what we think are the six best wall-cleaning tools.
Why Do I Need A Wall Cleaning Tool?
If you’re going to set out and re-paint your home’s walls, then your first step shouldn’t be to lay down plastic sheeting or go out and buy brushes.
The first step you need to take is to prep the walls themselves, which means a thorough cleaning. Painting a dirty wall is like polishing a rusted-out car.
While it may end up looking nice for a bit, you know it’s going to fall apart within a week.
Paint does not stick well to surfaces that aren’t smooth. If you paint a surface, you need to give it a chance to bond evenly and smoothly once it dries.
Having dirt, dust, or debris trapped between the layers of paint you apply and the wall itself will ensure that your paint doesn’t dry smoothly.
It’ll be bumpy and much more prone to cracking and peeling. Smooth paint ensures equal strength across the paint layer – this makes for long-lasting paint jobs that’ll last you a couple of decades.
1. Wet Mops
One of the best wall-cleaning tools is the simple mop and bucket combo. Mops make for excellent surface cleaners since they combine the two most effective cleaning methods: a mixture of soap and water plus a little elbow grease.
They’re ideal for removing any deep stains or issues with your wall.
You’ll want to be careful with what kinds of surfaces you’re using a wet mop on, as moisture can damage wood and drywall.
It’ll also make certain surfaces much harder to paint. Check what your walls are made of before cleaning them with a wet mop.
2. Dry Mops
If you’re just looking for a lighter wall-cleaning experience, then dry mops are probably the way to go. This will eliminate surface-level debris like dust, cobwebs, and most dirt and particulates.
While it won’t do as thorough a deep clean as a wet mop, a dry mop will take care of most lighter marks.
Dry mops can be made from various materials, including microfiber and lambs wool – these will work differently on multiple surfaces, so ensure you’re engaging in the best pairing before starting your cleaning adventure.
3. Dry Cloth
If you’re trying to wipe down drywall, then a simple dry microfiber cloth might be the best tool to recommend. Microfiber picks up small particulates and attracts dirt and debris to its surface.
They are also soft and won’t be too rough on even the most sensitive of surfaces. If you’re looking for a light cleaning experience, then microfiber might be the way to go.
While a simple dry cloth might sound like insufficient oomph to get the job done, you’d be surprised how little preparation some walls need.
4. Vacuum Cleaners
If you have high walls or ceilings that you can’t easily reach, then a vacuum cleaner might be your best friend.
Most walls and ceilings only need to be vacuumed a few times a year, but if you’re trying to prep a specific surface, a vacuum might do just fine.
Obviously, this cleaning method won’t do much for deep stains, but it’ll eliminate superficial levels of grit and grime and catch the little spider that has been hiding in the hard to reach corner.
It’ll also give you insight into what deeper cleaning methods you might want to engage in. When in doubt, go with the wet mop!
5. White Vinegar
You can make an excellent and cheap natural cleaning solution from equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
Vinegar will break down many stains and issues on your walls, including various kinds of mold, and won’t leave a mark on most wall surfaces.
You must cut it with water – especially if you’re questioning the product’s virility and the possible effect on your wall’s surface.
The water will help to balance out some of the vinegar’s acidity, making it less likely to eat into your walls.
That being said, we recommend doing this method on a windows open kind of day, as the smell can be slightly overpowering.
6. A Simple Dish Soap
One of the best tools you can use to clean your walls is warm water and dish soap. Dish soap cuts through just about any organic stain you can think of.
Grease, sugar, sap, etc., don’t stand a chance against your average brand of dish soap. However, even though it’s pretty strong, it isn’t too strong.
No matter how much dish soap you utilize, you’re unlikely to eat through any base layers of paint, wallpaper, or drywall. However, you mustn’t use too much water.
When cleaning, try not to soak your walls for too long, as this can have adverse effects and might damage your walls a bit.
You’re Ready To Prep Your Walls!
Now that you know these different wall-cleaning tools, we hope you feel more confident about your plans.
Always check what your walls are made of, what materials are coating them, and as much other information as possible. Never use harsh chemicals or degreasers to clean your walls.
This could damage things and even harm you if you inhale toxic fumes for too much time. Keep things simple with tried-and-true cleaning techniques and do a quick, clean, thorough job.
Good luck with your DIY project!
