How to clean walls and skirting boards

Is it time to clean your walls or skirting boards? You might have thought this one would be easy. How hard can it be to clean perfectly flat surfaces?

As with everything: just a little bit trickier than you thought. You’ll need to have a different approach, for instance, if you’re cleaning painted walls as opposed to those with wallpaper. Skirting boards require a completely different approach because of their unique, moulded surfaces. Fortunately, the guide below explains how to do both.

There are, however, a few items you’ll need when cleaning walls of any type:

• A microfibre cloth or duster.

• A cleaning product, like Cif Cream.

• A clean sponge that isn’t abrasive.

Homemade solutions, like vinegar and siap, run a small risk of damage as they are not designed specifically for use on these areas. If in doubt, use a commercial product like Cif Cream. Always test your cleaning methods on a small area before use and follow the instructions on the label.

How to clean painted walls

Washing painted walls is relatively easy. Most paints are designed to take a light washing every once in a while, and you can use a gentle multi-surface cleaner like Cif Cream on scuffs – just be careful when dealing with ‘matte’ finishes, as these occasionally need a different approach. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines if you are unsure, and always spot test any new cleaning product on a small, unnoticeable area before attempting to clean the entire surface.

Remember to cover your furniture and the edges of your carpet before starting.

1. Start by dusting off the wall with the microfibre cloth or duster. Dust and cobwebs are much more difficult to remove when wet, so it’s best to deal with them right away.

2. Go after stains and marks first, and give them special attention. Use your Cif Cream or a similar product to remove any scuffs, following the instructions and safety guidelines on the label. Wipe marks gently until the mark disappears. Don’t scrub hard – this will damage your paint.

The same principles can also be used to clean walls made of wood.

How to clean walls with wallpaper

Wallpaper comes in two types: washable and unwashable. Washable wallpaper can be cleaned in much the same way as a painted wall. There are, however, a couple of useful tricks you can apply to get rid of stains. Remember to spot-test on a small area first, and always read the manufacturer’s notes and instructions before cleaning any wallpaper.

If you have unwashable wallpaper that’s been stained or needs a brush-up, you should stick to dusting it, and gently brush off any dirt. Don’t apply water to the wallpaper. If your wall has a grease stain, you might be able to remove it by applying heat. Simply hold an absorbent cloth over the stain, and gently run a hot iron over the cloth. Take care to set the iron to an appropriate temperature setting to avoid burning the cloth or wallpaper.

How to clean skirting boards

Cleaning skirting boards is a little less labour and product-intensive – all you’ll need is your duster, a cleaning product such as Cif Cream, and some clean water to rinse with.

1. Dust them down.

2. Scrub them gently with your chosen cleaning product, following the directions and safety guidelines on the label.

3. Rinse them off with clean water.

You’ll be delighted to know that that’s all there is to it!