There’s nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint to completely change the dynamic of any interior space. Whether opting for a bold new color or simply looking to refresh your walls, he really can be the ultimate home improvement.
One of the golden rules for successful interior painting is taking as much time as needed to prepare the surfaces properly. A process that begins with giving your walls a thorough clean, to ensure the paint is able to adhere securely to the surface.
But what is the best way of cleaning interior walls before painting? Which products should you be reaching for, and what mistakes are best avoided?
How to Clean Walls Before Painting
Starting with the good news – cleaning walls prior to painting really isn’t rocket science. Even if your walls are in a fairly sorry state of repair, it’s still fairly straightforward.
Of course, different materials may call for a slightly different approach. Stucco, wood panels, drywall etc. – all requiring a little more TLC.
But when it comes to conventional walls, the key to cleaning surfaces properly prior to painting lies in the five simple steps below:
1. Give It a Good Basic Clean
In most rooms of the home, a clean sponge dampened with some warm soapy water is all that’s needed to get the job done. Standard dish detergent usually has sufficient grease-busting power to deal with most of the grime and residue that will have settled on your surfaces. The key to safe and effective surface preparation lies in making sure you don’t completely saturate your walls with excess moisture. In addition, allowing ample time to dry fully before grabbing a paintbrush is essential.
2. Remove Mold and Mildew
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can paint over mold and mildew. You can, but it will continue to grow and spread beneath the surface of the paint, and will ultimately undo all your hard work. You can buy a commercial mold and mildew removal spray from your local store, or you can simply mix one-part bleach with three-parts water. Spray on the affected area, allow a couple of minutes for it to get to work, and wipe away with a damp sponge or cloth.
3. Chemical Cleaners
For walls that need a more intensive clean before painting, commercial chemical cleaners are available. Some of which can be quite hazardous to health, and so should be used with the utmost care and attention. Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) cleaners are particularly popular for stripping surfaces of every last trace of dirt, grime, grease and so on. Always read the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully, and protect yourself with the appropriate PPE when handling chemical cleaners.
4. Sand to a Smooth Finish
If there are any imperfections or uneven spots on the surface, take to them with some fine-grit sandpaper. Likewise, if you are planning on painting a particularly shiny or glossy wall, you will need to gently ‘rough up’ the surface to allow the paint to adhere. Take your time and remember that it’s all in the name of making life easier for yourself when you start painting.
5. Dusting Down and Wiping
With your walls freshly cleaned, degreased and sanded to a smooth and even finish, all that’s left to do is get rid of any residual dust. Wipe them down with a dry cloth, and keep a vacuum cleaner close to hand to deal with all the debris that’s guaranteed to fly into the air.
A Job for the Pros?
Cleaning walls and preparing for painting is fairly simple, but can also be a time-consuming and laborious process. Coupled with priming and painting activities that follow, even painting a single room can become quite the task.
If you would prefer to revamp your interiors are exteriors in a quick, easy and affordable way, call Homm CPS. We offer an extensive range of home painting services at affordable prices, complete with an extensive warranty on all work carried out.
Our team works exclusively with the highest-quality products and equipment, enabling us to deliver consistently superior results. Whether looking to decorate a single room or considering a major home makeover, we’d be delighted to provide you with an obligation-free consultation.
For more information on the services we provide or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Homm CPS today.