How to clean wallpaper

Wallpaper cleaning

Clean washable wallpaper

Deep cleaning operations are carried out with soap and water if the wallpaper is made of vinyl or fiberglass only, and to see if the wallpaper is washable or not, a small amount of dishwashing liquid is mixed with water, then a small amount is placed on an inconspicuous place on the wall. If the area becomes dark in color due to its absorption of water, or if the color of the wallpaper fades, then it cannot be washed, and to remove dirt and dust from the wallpaper, the following steps are followed:

• covering the floor with plastic; This is to prevent any damage caused by the spilled excess water.
• Use the brush to clean dirt, dust, and cobwebs, by starting from the top of the wall, passing from one side to the other, then heading down.
• Fill half a bucket to two-thirds of warm water with the addition of an amount of cleaning fluid and stir until bubbles appear, taking care not to exaggerate in adding too much cleaning fluid; Because this makes the walls sticky, which leads to the adhesion of more dirt on them.
• Immerse the sponge in water, then squeeze it well to remove excess water from it, and wipe the wall from top to bottom, taking care to re-immerse the sponge in soapy water whenever needed.
• Dry the wallpaper with a dry towel to get rid of moisture.

Note: You should always be careful when cleaning vinyl wallpaper, by removing dust from the walls first before you start washing them or treating stains. Because washing them directly with soap and water makes the dust and dirt muddy, which makes the task of cleaning difficult.

Clean non-washable wallpaper

Non-washable wallpaper can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, especially if it contains patterns, and this is done by using the soft brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner, starting from the top of the wall, passing from one side to the other, heading downwards, and repeating this process several times, and care must be taken in case The presence of cobwebs on the wall and removing them by placing a broom in its place and then lifting it directly; to avoid distributing it on the wall, and this process takes place every few months according to the accumulation of the amount of dust on the wall.

A microfiber cloth or a clean white cloth wrapped on a hand broom with a long arm can be used, by pulling the broom from the top of the wall, passing from one side to the other downward; This is to reach the corners of the wall and also make sure that the wall has been completely cleaned, and if the walls are high, then a ladder is needed to reach the corners, and care must be taken to clean the cloth in case it becomes dirty so as not to stain the wall with dirt.

Remove stains from wallpaper

• crayon stains: The spatula is used to scrape the crayon stains and remove any remnants of these stains, then put paper tissues on the stains, and put the iron on the lowest temperature over it for one minute only; until the remaining colors are absorbed, but if the wallpaper is washable, a part of the cleaning solution consisting of two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid can be sprayed with an amount of warm water, and the use of a colorless cleaning liquid is also taken into account; This is to avoid staining the wallpaper with colored detergents.
• Fingerprints: The eraser is used to remove these stains. This is done by rubbing the stains gently so that the eraser absorbs the oils and dirt resulting from the fingerprints, but if the wallpaper is made of vinyl, soap and water can be used to clean the fingerprints. This is done by using a piece of cloth and immersing it in the cleaning solution, then squeezing it and wiping the wall with it.
• Greasy spots: Greasy stains are removed if the type of wall is non-vinyl without using water, by taking four sheets of tissue paper, then placing the iron on low heat settings over it and then removing it, and talcum powder can also be used to remove these stains; By placing an amount of it on a piece of cloth, then placing it on the wall for ten minutes, then removing the powder using a dry sponge or brush.
• mold spots: A bleach solution or white vinegar is used to remove these stains by diluting it with water, and it is advised to add a small amount of bleach or white vinegar and then increase it if needed, as it is possible to start mixing a quarter cup of bleach with a cup of water, and before starting the cleaning process a test is made The solution is applied to a small spot that is not visible on the wall. If the color of the spot disappears after five to ten minutes, the cleaning process can be started by immersing a sponge or a piece of cotton cloth in the solution, then squeezing it and placing it on the spot for five minutes, then wiping away any residue of the stains or solution. Using a clean damp sponge, then dry the area with a towel.
• ink stains Baking soda paste can be used to clean ink stains, by placing the paste on a damp cloth or sponge and then gently rubbing the stains, and the stains should be checked after each attempt of scrubbing; Because continuous rubbing leads to damage to the wallpaper.
• coffee stains Coffee stains can be easily removed from the wall if it is cleaned directly, but if the stains are dry, the effective solution is to use dishwashing liquid with water. This is by rubbing the place of the stains, then wiping with a dry towel after each attempt, and repeating this procedure until the stains are completely removed. It is worth noting that cleaning with soap and water is only performed on washable wallpaper.
• nicotine patches White vinegar is an effective product for cleaning nicotine stains for a variety of wallpaper, by filling a spray bottle with white vinegar or diluting it with water, and the cleaning process is done by spraying the surface of the wallpaper, then wiping it with a clean cloth.

Other tips for cleaning wallpaper

There are other tips for cleaning wallpaper, as follows:

• Take care to remove stains as soon as possible; This is to get the best results when cleaning them.
• clean the wall with moderate amounts of water; Because the use of large amounts of water causes the wallpaper to separate from the wall.
• Take into account not to use any abrasive materials.
• Test on a hidden area of ​​wallpaper for color fastness when cleaning with water and a cleaning solution.
• Using wet baby wipes without the need to use water or detergents with them.
• Wear rubber gloves during the cleaning process to protect hands.
• The need to perform a deep cleaning of the wallpaper every few months, especially if it is in the kitchen, or in other parts of the house that are exposed to a lot of steam and oils, or if there are children who cause a lot of stains.
• Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions; Because the wallpaper differs in terms of the materials it is made of, and each has a special method for cleaning it, and for any spot deeper than the surface dust on the wallpaper, you must contact the manufacturer or a specialized person; Because the stain removal process depends on the type and age of the stain, in addition to the type of wallpaper.

Types of wallpaper and how to maintain them

The type of wallpaper inside the house must be determined. Each type has its own set of cleaning rules, according to its durability and the types of cleaning materials it can handle. Among the types of wallpaper are the following:

• vinyl: It is most commonly used in homes, due to its low economic cost in addition to its flexibility. It is often used in kitchens and bathrooms. Because it is water and dirt resistant and is not affected by deep cleaning materials on it.
• Fiber glass: This type of wallpaper can be cleaned with soapy water and non-abrasive cleaning fluids as well. This type is also characterized by its durability, resistance to fading, and saving money over time. Despite its high price, it has low costs in terms of repair and maintenance.
• Cellulose: This type consists mainly of cellulose extracted from plant fibers derived from wood pulp, and this type is old-fashioned, and it must be noted that any type of wallpaper made mainly of plant fibers cannot be cleaned with strong chemicals or exposed to high humidity.
• Fabric: This type is expensive, and the types of wallpaper fabrics differ in their water resistance, so care must be taken when cleaning them, as the best care for them is to clean the dust and use a vacuum cleaner instead of liquid detergents.
• bamboo: This type of wallpaper is environmentally friendly, and it resists some microbes, but it is damaged by water. Therefore, it is not recommended to place it in areas with high humidity such as the kitchen and bathrooms, or to clean it with plenty of water.
• Hybrid wallpaper: It is a type of wallpaper that contains natural and industrial fibers, and it is environmentally friendly, but its cost is high, and it is not washable, which makes it necessary to clean it daily from dust.
• removable wallpaper: This type is made of vinyl or polyester fibers, and to preserve it for several years, it is recommended to place it in rooms with low humidity.

Wallpaper cleaning

Walls inside homes are exposed to dirt, whether they are painted or covered with panels or wallpaper, so the process of washing walls is one of the difficult tasks that usually takes place once or twice during the year, and when it comes to cleaning wallpaper, it is necessary to know the type of wallpaper before starting the cleaning process so as not to It is damaged or damaged, and it is worth noting that there are many types of modern wallpaper that make the cleaning process quick and easy.