How to Clean White Walls: 4 Easy Methods

How to Properly Clean White Walls

1. Gather Your Supplies

   • You likely already have the cleaning products you need in your home, such as all-purpose cleaning solutions, dish soap, or baking soda.
   • Use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, but for extra stubborn stains, use a melamine sponge or a scrubber brush.

2. Dust Ceiling to Floor

   • Dust the walls with a microfiber towel or extendable duster to reach higher places.
   • Rinse and wring it out between wipes as it gets dirty.
   • Add a few sprays of all-purpose cleaner to keep the sponge or towel clean.
     

   Tip

   To reach high up on walls without a step stool, ladder, or extender duster, use a broom or a vacuum with a brush attachment to reach the top molding and remove cobwebs.
   

3. Spot Method 1: Wipe With All-Purpose Cleaner

   The all-purpose cleaner method works best if you catch a stain immediately.

   • Choose an all-purpose cleaner with an almost soapy texture—these work best for picking up sticky messes, like food or drink.
   • Use an all-purpose cleaner with a microfiber cloth, rag, or paper towel.
     

4. Spot Method 2: Use Dish Soap and a Soft Sponge

   Dish soap is a fantastic cleaner for surfaces throughout your home. Opt for a mild dish soap that doesn't have a heavy fragrance or other harsh chemicals.

   • Dab a dot of dish soap on the stain.
   • Wet a soft sponge and sud up the stain.
   • Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean with a wet microfiber cloth.
   • Repeat the process two or three times if it doesn't remove the first time.

5. Spot Method 3: Clean With Baking Soda Paste

   Try a natural baking soda remedy for a stubborn stain. Baking soda works on most types of stains and surfaces.

   • Create a paste using three parts baking soda and one part water. It should have a slightly sticky texture, so adjust your ratio accordingly.
   • Gently spread the paste on the wall with a wet sponge, letting it sit for at least 10 minutes; the longer, the better.
   • Once sufficiently soaked, clean the spot with a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel.
   • If the stain persists or you want to simultaneously remove an odor from the wall, make baking soda paste using vinegar instead of water.

6. Spot Method 4: Wipe With a Melamine Sponge

   If other methods fail, persevere by reaching for the big guns—a melamine eraser. Magic Eraser is the most common melamine sponge brand in most stores.

   • Wet the sponge and wipe the stain or scuff until the walls are clean.
   • Apply gentle pressure when wiping; melamine sponges are strong cleaning tools that require little to no elbow grease. Use caution on gloss and semi-gloss painted walls, as the sponge can leave a noticeable "dull" spot if scrubbed instead of wiped.
     

   Warning

   Only use melamine sponges on white walls. This magic little powerhouse can ruin colored walls by removing the tint.

Tips for Keeping Walls Clean Longer

• Spot-clean regularly to keep stains from soaking into the wall.
• Vacuum carefully to avoid dirt from the floors getting onto the walls.
• Dust ceiling fans, too. Running a ceiling fan sprinkles dust all over your home, which gets stuck on the walls.
• Spot clean more frequently in homes with children or pets.