After installing wallpaper, you can make the most of it by keeping it in good condition. Making sure your wallpaper is well cared for helps preserve its colors and extends its life. Taking care of your wallpaper, of course, involves cleaning it from time to time.
Most wallpaper manufacturers include instructions on how to clean the wallpaper; they label their products as “washable” or “washable”. While most wallpapers today are made from coated vinyl, which makes cleaning a bit easier, some wallpapers still require meticulous cleaning measures to ensure optimal preservation of their fabrics. The cleaning process also varies, depending on the stains you have on the wallpaper. If you see any spots or stains, you’d better clean them up immediately before the stain sets deep into the fabric.
If it is on the kitchen wallpaper or the edge of the laundry room wallpaper, you can clean it immediately with a damp cloth. Wallpapers installed in high-activity, high-humidity rooms like these are more prone to staining. Most kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper, and wallpaper used for children’s rooms are made from vinyl, which is more water- and stain-resistant and much more durable than vinyl. paper.
It’s important to remember that cleaning vinyl-based wallpaper is different than cleaning paper-based wallpaper.
As mentioned above, manufacturers have a manual on how to clean wallpaper, but here are some general guidelines for keeping wallpaper pristine:
For simple dust and dirt:
1. Cover the floor with plastic to prevent damage from excess water and spills;
2. Remove solid particles of dust and dirt with a brush;
3. Add a mild detergent to a bucket with 2/3 water, enough to produce a few bubbles;
4. With a sponge, soak and then squeeze out excess water and wipe the wall from top to bottom;
5. Rinse the sponge constantly and repeat step 4 until the entire wall is covered;
6. Using a dry towel, wipe excess moisture from the wall.
The same process can be done with kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper border, and other vinyl-based wallpaper. For tough stains, here’s what to do:
For pencils:
1. Rub Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the stained area, that alone is enough to remove any pencil stains;
2. If there is no Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, dampen a damp cloth with a mild detergent (do not use harsh abrasives as they can damage the fabric and wallpaper colors);
3. Dry the wall with a towel.
For marker stains:
If the marker is washable and the stain is on vinyl wallpaper, such as kitchen wallpaper or laundry room wallpaper border, a simple buffing with a damp towel may remove the stain; otherwise you should do the following:
1. Clean the stain with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser;
2. If Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is not available, apply a paste made of water and baking soda to the stain and towel;
3. Rub the stained area GENTLY;
4. If the baking soda paste fails; apply alcohol and rub gently (test the alcohol on an additional strip of wallpaper first; alcohol can cause discoloration and significant damage to most wallpaper).
Stains that have already set into wallpaper are difficult to remove and may require the use of solvents. For your protection, always wear gloves to protect your hands.
