Once you paint your ceiling and walls, they usually become an afterthought in the daily upkeep of your home. You might vacuum, dust and clean the windows almost daily or weekly, but in most cases, the ceilings and walls are overlooked. If you are looking for a way to get your home’s walls and ceilings in top-notch condition, here are some tips to maintaining the fresh look they originally had.
- Figure out the best method of cleaning. The texture and type of paint you have on your ceiling and walls will determine the method of cleaning you should use. For painted or brick walls and tiled ceilings, an all purpose cleaner and some hot water will remove dirt. For other types of finishes like plaster, it is easier to use your vacuum brush attachment to remove dirt and dust.
- Clean your walls and ceilings biweekly. Get some all purpose cleaner and do a light wipe down every two weeks or so. Prior to cleaning, remove any dust with a micro-fiber cloth. Then, using a separate micro-fiber cloth, rinse walls with a mixture of baking soda, water, vinegar, and ammonia. This bi-weekly light cleaning with help prevent more heavy duty cleanings in the future.
- Use the right cleanser on wooden paneling. Use your vacuum brush attachment or a micro-fiber cloth to dust walls with woodwork on then. Temecula, CA interior designer Sherry Birchall advises against using water-based cleaning solutions, as they can seep into the wood and cause warping. Instead use a wood cleaner or polish. Make sure you spray the cleaner onto a cloth rather than directly onto the woodwork itself.
- Fix and fill in any cracks. Both walls and ceilings will develop cracks over time. Filling in a crack is actually easier than you may think. According to Fort Myers painters, all it takes is a few simple steps. First, wipe down the area surrounding the crack. Then, break out the spackle and smooth it down over the crack with a putty knife. When applying the spackle, make sure you drag the spackle a little further out each time, as it will probably need more than one coat. After the spackle is applied, get a piece of sandpaper and lightly sand it until the area is completely smooth. Finally, when the spackle has dried, you can apply a fresh coat of paint, leaving your wall looking as good as new.
Keeping up with your ceilings and walls will only enhance the overall appearance and cleanliness of your home. It is a simple task and doesn’t require a lot of work, and is something that all homeowners should incorporate into the routine of home cleaning.