Whether it’s your favorite color spread across your bedroom wall, a bold kitchen accent, or the soothing exterior tone of your home, paint plays a huge role in how we experience our spaces. However, over time, even the best paint job can lose its luster if it isn’t properly cared for. The good news is that with a little effort and the right approach, you can keep your painted surfaces looking fresh and vibrant for years to come. To help you properly achieve this, we need to take a look at how exactly to clean and maintain painted surfaces, so they continue to look their best and stand the test of time.
Commit to Routine Dusting and Spot Cleaning
Our painted surfaces are only as good as their latest cleaning. Painted surfaces collect dust, smudges and grime over time, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Making friends with a handy duster or cloth can help you make short work of the dust that can build up quickly. Gently dusting walls and trim once a week can prevent decay of the painted surface and extend its life. For more involved cleanings, use a soft sponge or cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. A mild dish soap can make all the difference in removing tougher stains. However, it’s pivotal to not use excessive force when going about this, as too much pressure can actually start to damage the paint.
Be Mindful of the Paint Finish You’re Cleaning
As you start to map out your regular cleaning routine, it’s important to give credence to the type of paint finish applied to the surface you plan to clean. As painters in Doylestown, PA are well aware of, not all paint is created equal and neither are the finishes. When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your walls or other painted surfaces, understanding the finish can make all the difference between preserving the look or accidentally wearing it down. Let’s break down the most common types of paint finishes and how to care for them:
- Flat or Matte Finishes: Flat finishes are great for hiding imperfections which give walls a smooth, velvety appearance. As a result, they’re not very durable when it comes to cleaning. Scrubbing too hard or using the wrong cleaner can lift the pigment or leave shiny spots.
- Eggshell and Satin Finishes: Eggshell has a soft glow, while satin offers a touch more sheen. Both are more durable than flat paint and you can use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge with mild soap to remove scuffs or dirt. Still, being gentle is advised, as repeated, aggressive scrubbing can dull the finish over time.
- Semi-Gloss and Gloss Finishes: Found in kitchens, bathrooms, trim, and doors, semi-gloss and gloss finishes are designed to withstand moisture, grease, and regular cleaning. Use a damp cloth or sponge with a gentle all-purpose cleaner. For tougher spots like grease or fingerprints, a vinegar-water solution works wonders. Just don’t use abrasive pads, as they’ll scratch the sheen.
Don’t Leave Handling Stains Until the Last Minute
The longer a stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove. Dirt, oils, food splatter, and even crayon marks from the little ones in your household can quickly settle into the paint, making cleanup much more difficult down the line. In some cases, stains can even permanently alter the color or texture of the surface, especially on more porous finishes like flat or matte paint. As strange as it is to realize, paint, like your skin, has pores. This is particularly true of flat and eggshell finishes.
When a spill happens, whether it’s coffee, sauce, or dirty fingerprints, those particles start to absorb into the paint almost immediately. Waiting too long gives them a chance to set in, so to speak, meaning you’ll have to scrub harder and risk damaging the paint in the process. Addressing these accidents as they occur is the best way to avoid struggling to tackle them down the road.
Now that you’re aware of some of the ins and outs that go into maintaining your interior painted surfaces, you can commit to the next color or accent wall with peace of mind and confidence. When looking for a painter in Wayne, PA, you should contact the experienced team at First Place Painting. We take the time to consider all of the particulars of your home prior to providing industry-leading advice and services to our customers. If you have a question about a particular shade of paint or you’d like to gather information on how we can help bring a new vibrancy to a room in your household, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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