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John Sez:
By John Harris, Belcaro Paint, Paint Chemist
Winter is not the most popular time of the year to paint walls, however it can be an excellent time to wash your painted walls. Quality paints are intended to be washed or even scrubbed if necessary. Generally, the higher the sheen of the paint, the easier the paint is to wash. A few tips on washing walls:
Always allow a 30-day cure time after new latex paint is applied to a surface before washing.
Always start with the least harsh method and test a small, inconspicuous area in case your technique removes the paint. First try just water and a soft cotton t-shirt or a soft sponge. If the dirt is more stubborn add two tablespoons of TSP (tri-sodium-phosphate) soap to a quart of warm and wash again. You may increase the amount of TSP but don’t go too strong or you may remove the paint. Most other cleaners should be avoided as they either attack the paint or they leave a residue that is difficult to remove.
When washing do not put your dirty sponge back in your soap solution or you will soon be washing with dirty water. Rinse your dirty sponge out in the sink or in a separate pail of water.
Start at the bottom of the wall and work your way up. Some water will run down the wall and it is easier to have the wall recently moist to enable you to keep wiping off streaks as they occur.
It is very important to rinse the newly washed walls with plenty of clean water.
Other advantages to washing walls are that you can create a fresh clean smell in the house and you can increase the indoor humidity.
Belcaro Paint & Decorating Center, Inc.
5475 Leetsdale Dr., Denver, CO 80246 303-757-5435
or
209 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton CO 80120 303-703-4487
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