How to Get Stains & Grease Off Walls

You’re getting ready to paint those dated walls, but taking a closer look reveals all the grime and stuff that’s too hard to wash with a standard vinegar wash.

What are some ways to get rid of those grease stains, watermarks, and kids’ crayon and ink wall art?

Kitchen Grease on Walls

You can’t cook without grease. And of course, it will eventually get on the walls and cabinets, inviting even more gunk.

Simple enough, any good dish soap will get rid of that grime.

For small stains, mix: 1/4 teaspoon of soap in a cup of warm water, and wipe. Rinse with clean water, and blot until dry. Clean stubborn grease stains with solution of 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

Dirt and Grime Buildup

Humans are oily creatures. We get oil from our hands on everything. A wall eraser easily wipes away these stains.

Wet the sponge and rub gently to avoid taking bits of paint off with the stain.

Or make your own homemade wall cleaning sponge:

• 1 cup ammonia,
• 1/2 cup white distilled or apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• one gallon of warm water.

Wipe the solution over walls with a sponge (or cloth), and rinse with water.

Crayons

Here’s another use for a wall eraser. But if that doesn’t work, try this:

• Rub marks with toothpaste (not gel).
• Erase marks with an art gum or a pencil eraser; use a circular motion.
• Swipe marks with baby wipes.
• Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub marks.

Permanent Marker

There’s a reason they’re called permanent markers. But you can still remove most of it. Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and dab the stain. Or spray marks with hairspray, then wipe drips.

Ink

Ballpoint ink is oil-based. You can use foaming shaving cream, nail polish remover, or dry-cleaning solvents. Make sure you open windows when using cleaning solvents and polish remover.

Mildew

Mildew is a fungus that eats soap scum and body oil. To remove from walls, spray with vinegar water: 1 tablespoon white vinegar to 1 quart water. Also, try an enzyme laundry detergent; follow the pre-treating directions on the label. Blot it on the stain, and then rinse thoroughly with water.

Water Stains

After you’ve solved the problem that caused the water stains, rinse with a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Thoroughly dry with a hairdryer or fans. If bleaching doesn’t remove water stains, you’ll have to repaint. Prime the walls with a stain-killing primer.

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