Key steps
- ✦
Always start with a gentle method like water and a soft cloth.
- ✦
Move onto more abrasive methods if the others you try don’t work
- ✦
Use Magic Eraser for marks left by children’s colouring.
- ✦
For stubborn scuff marks, use a good quality multipurpose cleaner like Cif.
Whether you've had a house party or simply moved a bike through your hallway, scuff marks can quickly and easily appear on white-painted walls. So, you must learn how to clean white walls that have been scuffed, marked or drawn on.
Sometimes, cleaning them off just takes a sponge and some warm water – and sometimes you'll need a stronger solution. Whatever the damage, don't panic: this article will provide tips on how to get marks off painted walls, while still being gentle on paintwork.
Have your kids been using your wall as a crayon canvas? Well, Magic Eraser is all you’ll need when learning how to remove marks from walls without damaging paint. Dampen it them and use circular motions to remove the marks.
Note: You can also follow the steps we shared on how to get candle wax off walls if your children used wax-based crayons.
What you need: your kit list for how to remove marks from walls
Before we teach you how to get black marks off walls, you must gather the essentials for the job.
- ✦
Soft cloth
- ✦
Magic eraser
- ✦
Washing-up liquid
- ✦
Bowl
- ✦
Multipurpose cleaner such as Cif
- ✦
Baking soda
- ✦
Fine-grit sandpaper
- ✦
Paint trays
- ✦
Paintbrush
- ✦
Touch-up paint
- ✦
Paint reducer
- ✦
Paper towels
Top tips for how to get marks off walls
There are a number of tips we’ll show you for how to remove marks from walls. Just remember to always start with the gentlest option, moving on to the more abrasive choices if others don’t work.
Method 1: Use a damp, soft cloth.
- ✦
Dampen a soft cloth.
- ✦
Wring it out thoroughly.
- ✦
Lightly work on the scuff marks using your damp cloth.
- ✦
Scrub with increasing pressure, remaining focussed on the scuff marks.
- ✦
If this method works, simply wipe down the wall once the marks disappear with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
Method 2: Use a damp Magic Eraser.
Warning: Magic Eraser is chemically abrasive, making it particularly damaging for painted walls. You should only use it if you’re ready to touch up the damaged spot.
- ✦
To use Magic Eraser, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- ✦
As a general rule, these products need to be wet and wrung out before use.
- ✦
Once damp, scrub the scuff marks working in a circular motion.
Quick Tip: You can also use this method for removing permanent marker off walls.
Method 3: Use washing-up liquid, water and a soft cloth.
- ✦
Add a couple of drops of washing-up liquid to a bowl.
- ✦
Fill the bowl with warm water.
- ✦
Dip a soft cloth into the solution, and wring it out to ensure it is damp, not soaking.
- ✦
Do not over-saturate the wall.
- ✦
For more stubborn scuff marks add a little washing-up liquid directly to the cloth and apply it to the wall.
Method 4: Use a multipurpose cleaner like Cif.
- ✦
For the most stubborn scuff marks, use a good quality multipurpose cleaner.
- ✦
Apply the cleaner to a rag or cloth.
- ✦
Scrub the mark.
- ✦
Alternatively, try spraying the cleaner directly onto the wall and scrub again.
Method 5: Use baking soda and water to make a paste.
Note: This method is useful when you want to learn how to get scuff marks off walls without Magic Eraser. Besides, bicarbonate of soda has been tested to have whitening properties.[1] So, it is perfect for cleaning scuff marks off white walls. Here are the steps:
- ✦
For a cheap, natural alternative cleaner, add drops of water to baking soda until it creates a paste.
- ✦
Use a clean cloth to scrub the scuff marks with a small amount of the paste.
- ✦
Wipe the area with a damp cloth.
- ✦
Wipe the wall with a dry, clean cloth.
How to touch up walls after cleaning scuff marks
Once you have discovered how to clean white walls you may find you need to touch up the surrounding wall.
1. If the scuffed area is now a noticeably different texture than the surrounding wall, start by lightly sanding it with fine-grit sandpaper. Try to avoid the surrounding wall, sanding the affected area until smooth. Use a damp cloth to remove any dust from sanding.
2. Prepare some touch-up paint according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you don’t have touch-up paint to match the wall, take a coin-sized paint chip to a specialist who will be able to create a match.
3. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, dilute oil-based touch-up paint with a paint reducer. This will slow down the paint’s drying time, ensuring the patch blends into the surrounding wall. Note: If you have latex paint, dilute it with water instead of a paint reducer.
4. Take a small paintbrush.
5. Dip it into the paint and wipe off excess paint onto a piece of paper towel.
6. Apply the paint to the wall in a stipple (dotting) motion to achieve an even coat.
7. Leave the paint to dry completely.
8. Follow our tips on how to get rid of the paint smell.
With our guide for how to get marks off painted walls and touch up any rough spots you can get your walls looking good as new
FAQs about removing scuff marks off walls
Q. Does Magic Eraser remove wall scuffs?
Yes, Magic Eraser is effective in removing scuffs on walls.
Q. Why do my walls scuff so easily?
If your walls have a low-sheen finish, it easily absorbs light. Consequently, scuff marks and dirt are more visible.
Q. Is Magic Eraser safe on painted walls?
Magic Eraser is chemically abrasive. So, it can easily damage painted walls.
References:
1. Jagadeeswari, J., & Shalini, T. (2022). IMPACT OF BAKING SODA ON TEETH WHITENING AMONG TOBACCO USERS - AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY. International Journal of Community Dentistry, 10(2), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjcommunitydent.v10i2.568
