topic Re: Wall Washing in Home

Wall Washing

flickerbulb — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:15:57 GMT

I admit, I had never heard of this until someone mentioned it on here a few years ago.

I was able to find my new fave cleaning product at Ace Hardware and use it all the time: powdered Spic and Span!

So, I was moving my bedroom furniture around and washed a part of the wall that was covered by the dresser.

The water was black! Yuck! It did not look dirty to the naked eye.

I will continue on my task today and hope to be breathing better tonight.

After de-dusting everything, I always sleep better.

The bedroom gets extra dusty because my two furry friends sleep in here with me!

So, my advice is to get some Spic and Span and get cleaning!

Re: Wall Washing

GCR18 — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:30:22 GMT

I never heard of washing walls either. I asked my mother how come the walls weren't washed when we were growing up. She said she never heard of it either. It's an interesting concept. It may be too big of a project for me to tackle. I have a lot of high ceilings.

Re: Wall Washing

wagirl — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:37:24 GMT

HI GRC!!!!

I used to wash walls all the time and I used TSP for the job which was sure a backbreaker. When I was a spring chicken and was painting the rooms myself, that's how you wuld have to prepare them first, or the paint wouldn't go on as nicely. My kitchen now is a greasy mess and when that job needs to be done---and it's needed it years ago, I will not be doing it myself.Had to swipe down my laundry room walls before I put in my new washer/dryer, recently, but used a mop and some Simple Green.

Re: Wall Washing

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:40:51 GMT

Think of people who smoke who never wash their walls - I can't imagine. I wash my walls regularly.

Re: Wall Washing

Trix — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:44:20 GMT

Perhaps because of a grandmother's experience working in a hotel I knew about washing walls as a kid. As an adult in an early career work place I learned that most people apparently don't wash walls at home. The first time we had to move things in the office because a crew was coming in to wash walls one weekend most of the staff were unaware of such a thing.

I still wash walls from time to time. Sometimes people think they need a fresh coat of paint when washing the walls would probably make the walls look quite clean and nice.

Re: Wall Washing

Krimpette — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:45:49 GMT

I'm consistent, if nothing else.........as to the post the other day, I've never washed my ceilings. Same goes for the walls! I know, I'm just a slob!

Re: Wall Washing

Ane1Care — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:47:29 GMT

I live in a 70s era brick house, so drafty, and every single wall is paneling. Think The Brady Bunch den but darker. So I clean mine with a homemade cleaner (1TBSP Dawn to 2 cups water) that I mist on, wipe off with a damp microfiber cloth, then for extra shine come back woth Pledge. I tried my hand at homemade wood polish, but I just didn't like it.

This is a dusty house. It was the first thing I noticed after moving from a 1920's era cinder block house, well before cats, and smoking isn't allowed in the house, though no one who does smoke visits.

It's amazing the difference in the way the wood shines, especially in photos, after cleaning them.

Re: Wall Washing

IamMrsG — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:49:15 GMT

I, too, use Spic 'N Span. Washed walls almost look newly painted -- refreshed, at the very least.

One tip I can share is to always start at the bottom. If you begin at the top, if water runs down the wall, it will leave nearly permanent 'tracks'.

Re: Wall Washing

flickerbulb — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:51:51 GMT

Washing the ceilings is another thing altogether!

If I were to put water on mine, I think I would cause damage!

They are textured and I cannot see myself or anyone doing this so they will remain as they are.

If someone wants to climb up on a 10 foot ladder and then reach from there, go for it! I am not doing it!

Re: Wall Washing

millieshops — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 15:24:06 GMT

If only not washing walls were my greatest housekeeping sin!

Maybe if I'm really, really, really bored, I might dust those walls with a Swiffer, but I'm not washing them.

Re: Wall Washing

lolakimono — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 15:47:51 GMT

@flickerbulb

What time can I expect you? I'll have the bucket and the sponges at the ready.

Re: Wall Washing

gardensla — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 15:54:50 GMT

I wash all the walls (and I do it myself!) twice a year! Nothing makes a room feel more clean and fresh than ridding it of dirt and dust. I use a very mild solution of TSP which is a bit of a pain as it has to be rinsed very well. Totally worth it, especially in the kitchen and bedroom.

Re: Wall Washing

flickerbulb — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 17:12:02 GMT

@lolakimona

Ha! I am lucky if I get to it once a year!

Some areas get cleaned more often because I put my grubby hands on the walls!

Re: Wall Washing

SilleeMee — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 18:29:58 GMT

I started washing my walls in order to prep them for painting. Back in the days before primers, you had to do this otherwise dirt and grime would show up after you painted which then required more painting...arrrrg. Nowadays they make primer paints so you don't need to wash your walls unless of course if you want to.

Re: Wall Washing

Mominohio — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 18:33:33 GMT

I wash walls once a year, entire house including rooms with wallpaper. Can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't occur, except if one is like my best friend. She never wash a wall (or a window) in her life, but she repainted about every other year. If I were painting that often, I'd not wash walls either, no point.

I was taught to use Murphy's Oil Soap (and still do) and the idea is to wring the rag out till just damp, no water running down walls (or your arms!) and unless marked up or fingerprinted requiring scrubbing, it is more like a wet dusting of the walls.

I wash the curtains, baseboards, all linens in the room and scrub the furniture down good with Murphy's at the same time. The house feel so bright and clean when this is done, but I certainly don't for a few days afterward.

It is disgusting how dirty that bucket of water is just halfway through a room!

Re: Wall Washing

tedEbear — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:06:47 GMT

and this is what is called SPRING CLEANING, all fresh and new. Rugs go outside and hung on a line and practically beat to death with a paddle, getting the dust out.

Re: Wall Washing

151949 — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 19:53:01 GMT

When we lived in Pa I cleaned every wall in my house every spring. Like you , the water was BLACK. I always said anyone who washes the walls once will do it every year. The house would feel so clean and fresh when I was done. It would take me a week doing one room a day. I too used Spic & span powder, I would also clean the venetian blinds in that room and launder the curtains, plus clean out the closet and any drawers, cubbys or cupboards. Everything got refreshed. New shelf paper etc. Our bedroom was the most difficult but was also the most worthwhile to be done. Where I live now I don't have washable paint or I would be still cleaning the walls.

Re: Wall Washing

software — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 20:14:09 GMT

My late mom washed everything that could be washed and I do the same. Including furniture, cabinets, etc.

She used Spic N Span, I use Mrs. Meyers, sometimes Pine Sol but prefer MM.

I always likened myself to PigPen in the Charlie Brown comics, dirt just seems to follow me around!

Re: Wall Washing

151949 — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 23:59:58 GMT

We lived in our house 28 years and only had to paint twice in all that time - the second time was to put it on the market I painted the whole house ivory. Otherwise washing the walls rejuvenates the dingy looking paint, and when you throw away that dirty water you know why. You may not think those walls are dirty- but they really are.

I had an all electric house - I imagine it would be even worse if you had gas or oil heat.

Re: Wall Washing

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 08:27:47 GMT

Spic & Span is a cleaning product that goes way back. It was only a powder for a long time, but then made it into the liquid category. Growing up, washing walls was a given and part of our spring cleaning. My mom & dad usually hired a guy we'd known for many years. He'd do our interior and exterior painting jobs too. He used a powdered product that was apparently safe for the skin. For all I know it could have been Spic & Span or something similar. These days I use TSP for wall washing, but I have to admit I'm not quite as strict as my mom was regarding how often we do it. Whenever we redecorate, though, wall washing is a must before painting.