How do you get stains off the walls without chipping the paint?
You don’t just want to remove the wall stains without chipping your paint. You also want to make sure you don’t have a bare spot where the stain was. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of wall staining without leaving behind an ugly patch.
Table of Contents
Use baking soda.
- Use baking soda. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, which means it can help remove stains from the walls without causing damage to the surface of your walls. It’s also a natural cleaning agent and safe for use on most surfaces.
Baking soda has several properties that make it ideal for removing mild stains such as sweat, smoke, and makeup from walls:
- Baking soda is mildly abrasive—it won’t scratch or scrape away paint or plaster beneath the surface of your wall. Instead of scratching off layers of paint or plaster in one go, baking soda will gently exfoliate those layers one by one until they’re gone completely. This makes it much less likely that you’ll see dark streaks after cleaning than if you were using something harsher like vinegar or ammonia (more on those later).
- Because baking soda isn’t as harsh as other abrasives such as sandpaper or steel wool (and therefore won’t do any damage), there’s no need to rinse off any residue once you’re done cleaning with this method; just let dry naturally!
Water and soap.
When it comes to stains, water and soap are your best friend. Soak a rag or sponge in warm water, then gently apply it to the area with your stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a clean sponge—you may need to repeat this process if the stain isn’t lifting right away. This method works for many types of stains (including coffee), but it’s not always effective on paint chips or larger spots of dirt—in those cases, you’ll want to skip this step and try something else instead!
Vinegar, water and dishwashing liquid.
When the stain is fresh, scrub it with a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup water and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Then let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing with warm water and drying with a clean cloth.
If the stain has been there for longer than 2 days, try this method: Use hydrogen peroxide on the carpet first to lift out some of the residue (this will also help prevent stains from setting in). Then apply a mixture of half white vinegar and half water to remove remaining marks as well as clean away any lingering odors.
Cornstarch and water.
If you have a small stain on the wall, it may be possible to get it out with cornstarch and water. Mix equal parts of cornstarch and warm water together in a bowl or bucket. Use a sponge to apply the mixture to the stained area, letting it sit for five minutes before scrubbing off with clean water and a rag. Repeat if necessary, but keep in mind that you don’t want to use too much force while cleaning since this could cause damage to your walls or paint job.
Baking soda and vinegar.
- Mix baking soda and vinegar in a bowl. The ratio of one cup baking soda to two cups water can be used as a starting point, but you may need to adjust it depending on the severity of the stain.
- Apply the paste with a sponge, making sure that all areas are covered by your application.
- Let sit for 15 minutes before washing off with warm water! This will prevent any stains from setting in or remaining visible if you don’t get them all out at once. If there are still visible stains left behind after this treatment, repeat as needed until they’re gone!
Lemon juice, cream of tartar and salt.
First, mix equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar in a bowl. Then add just a little bit of salt. Apply it to the stain with a clean cloth and rub gently until the stain starts to lift from the wall. Let it sit for about an hour before rinsing with water.
There are many ways to get stains off the walls without damaging the paint.
In order to remove stains from your walls and keep them looking good, there are several things you should never do. If a stain is still wet, don’t scrub it; this can cause the paint to chip off or even peel completely. The same goes for scouring pads or harsh chemicals: they will damage your wall’s finish and leave an unsightly mark on top of the stain.
With that in mind, here are some tips on how to clean up after an accident without damaging your walls:
Conclusion
These are just a few methods to try. Experiment with different combinations until you find one that works well for you. And remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry! If the stains don’t come out or if the paint starts chipping off after using one of these methods, then stop right away and call a professional.
