How to Clean White Walls

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska

Last Updated: September 18, 2022 References

White walls are very prone to smudges, dirt, and other stains. If you need to clean your white walls, the cleaning method depends on whether you have latex or oil-based paint. Latex paint should be cleaned with water and all purpose cleaner. Oil paint should be cleaned with vinegar and a mild degreaser. You can work to keep your walls clean by quickly wiping up stains and spills as they occur.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Latex Paint

1
Get the room ready to clean. Remove all artwork, pictures, or other items from a wall. Clear the space near the walls. Push furniture away from the walls, for example. As you'll be dusting, you should also cover your floor in a tarp to catch dust and debris as it falls.^{[1]
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2
Dust your walls. Take a broom and cover it with a towel. Use your broom to wipe the walls from top to bottom. Make sure to get into corners to remove things like cobwebs.^{[2]
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- For very dirty walls, go over the walls with the broom brush of your vacuum after dusting them off.
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3
Use warm water and a mild all purpose cleaner. Always go for a mild cleaner. With white walls, the lighter the cleaner the better. Mix a small amount of your cleaner into a bucket of warm water and then dip a sponge in the water. Run the sponge along the walls, wiping off dirt, debris, and fingerprints.^{[3]
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- Areas that are often touched should get extra attention. Give things like doorknobs and light switches an extra clean.
EXPERT TIP

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

Try a magic eraser if you have stains on your walls. Ashley Matuska of Dashing Maids says: "For really stubborn stains on white walls or baseboards, you can use a magic eraser. However, test it in an inconspicuous spot and be light-handed when you use it, because they can potentially wear away at the paint."
4
Be careful around outlets. Wring your sponge out before cleaning near outlets and telephone jacks. Using too much water can pose a hazard. Do not clean too close to outlets. If scrubbing these outlets is necessary, turn off your circuit breaker before doing so.^{[4]
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5
Rinse your walls. After your walls are thoroughly clean, dump out your bucket. Replace the water with clear water. Take a clean sponge and dip it in your water. Wipe down the walls with clean water to rinse them. Again, be sure to be careful around outlets.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Oil-Based Paint

1
Set up the room for clean up. Remove anything hanging on the wall, such as artwork and pictures. Move furniture, such as desks and sofas, away from the walls. Lay a tarp down on the floor to catch dirt and debris that falls while you're dusting the walls.^{[6]
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2
Remove dust from your walls. Tie a towel around the end of a broom. Use the broom to wipe down the walls from the top to the bottom. Pay special attention to the corners, as they may have extra dust or cobwebs.^{[7]
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3
Make a detergent and vinegar mixture. Mix a teaspoon of dish detergent into a quart of warm water. Then, add a quarter cup of vinegar.^{[8]
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4
Wash your walls with the vinegar mixture. Wipe down your walls with a rag or sponge. Swipe the walls gently to remove dirt, dust, grime, and fingerprints.^{[9]
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- Remember to target areas that are touched regularly, such as doorknobs.
5
Target difficult areas with a degreaser. Purchase degreaser at a hardware store or department store. This is used to remove tough stains, such as grease stains, from white walls. These are often found in the kitchen. Apply the degreaser according to package instructions to clean your white walls.^{[10]
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- Usually, you leave the degreaser on the walls for a set amount of time and then rinse it off with a dry rag or sponge.
6
Wring out your sponge before cleaning around outlets. You may need to clean outlets if the paint near outlets is dirty. Make sure to wring out your sponge so most of the excess water is gone before cleaning near outlets. You should turn off your circuit breaker if any outlets need a deep clean.^{[11]
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Rinse your walls. Fill a bucket with clean water. Dip a clean sponge or rag in the water and wipe down the walls. Remove any excess cleaner and residue. Keep wiping down the walls until the water runs clear.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Clean Walls

1
Dust your walls regularly. Each time you clean, dust your walls. You can use a broom and a towel or lightly vacuum your walls with the detachable broom brush of your vacuum. Regular dusting can prevent white walls from becoming too dirty.^{[13]
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2
Protect your walls from moisture. Moisture can cause walls to become dirty or even moldy. White walls in areas like your kitchen or bathroom require extra protection from moisture. Always wipe down the walls after showering. Pick up a water repellent at a local department store and coat the walls with that.^{[14]
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3
Use plain water to remove smudges as they occur. As soon as a smudge gets on a wall, remove it with a small amount of warm water. If you target sponges quickly, they should wipe off easily. Make a habit of wiping off smudges as you notice them to prevent dirt and grime from building up on your walls.^{[15]
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