Even though it’s not as obvious, your wallpaper can collect dust, allergens, scuff marks, and grease stains around your home. While you can wash many vinyl wallpapers, more delicate ones like grasscloth, silk, or textured wallpapers need gentler cleaning methods.
Here, experts offer their best advice on how and how often to clean your wallpaper to keep the colors bright, the patterns clear, and your home free of dust.
How Often to Clean Wallpaper
Just like other surfaces in your home, wallpaper needs regular and light cleaning to remove dust and allergens. Regular dusting with a long-handled microfiber duster is essential. It’s important to clean the corners where the walls meet the ceiling to remove cobwebs and along the top of the baseboard trim that meets the wallpaper.
How Often to Deep Clean Wallpaper
Experts have varying opinions on how often wallpaper should be deep cleaned. Some recommend doing it once a year, while others suggest every three to four months. This is because dust and dirt accumulate on vertical surfaces over time, and cleaning seasonally can keep wallpaper looking good and save time compared to less frequent cleaning.
The type of wallpaper you have can also influence how often you need to clean it. Textured wallpapers, similar to fabric, tend to attract more dust than smoother types, like vinyl.
Cleaning Methods by Wallpaper Type
Wallpaper manufacturers usually provide specific care instructions, so it’s important to check the labels and guidelines before deep cleaning. If your wallpaper is washable, a mixture of dye-free dish soap and water can effectively remove most dust and dirt. If it’s not washable, you should avoid using water altogether.
Materials
- Soft sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Bucket
- Clear, dye-free dish soap
- Warm water
- Vacuum with a soft brush attachment
How to Clean Washable Wallpaper
Washable wallpaper, often made from durable materials like vinyl, still requires careful handling. Experts advise not to use too much water, as it can cause the wallpaper to lift. Make sure to thoroughly wring out your sponge or microfiber cloth and gently wipe the walls. Pay extra attention to the seams to avoid snagging them.
It’s advised to avoid spray-on cleaners or abrasive scrubbers on wallpaper. Often, people mistakenly spray cleaning fluid directly onto the wallpaper, scrub too hard, or use a cloth or sponge that is too rough, which can damage delicate wallpaper. Hard scrubbing can harm the texture and color permanently. Since the main goal is to remove surface dust, gently wiping it away is sufficient to keep the wallpaper clean and looking good for a long time.
Here are the suggested steps for preparing a cleaning solution and wiping down your washable wallpaper:
- Fill a 2-quart cleaning bucket halfway with warm water.
- Add 2 tablespoons of clear, dye-free dish soap.
- Soak a soft sponge in the soapy water and wring it out until it’s only damp.
- Wipe the wallpaper using up-and-down strokes to avoid catching the sponge on the seams.
- Dry the wallpaper with a clean microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Non-Washable Wallpaper
If your wallpaper is made of a delicate, non-vinyl material, water-based cleaning methods may not be recommended by the manufacturer. In such cases, the safest cleaning method is gentle vacuuming. For example, silk wallpaper requires more careful handling than vinyl. For wallpapers that should not be cleaned with water due to their delicate nature, using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment will remove dust effectively when gently passed over the surface of the wallpaper.
How to Spot Clean Wallpaper
Wallpaper can accumulate various marks and stains from daily use, such as scuff marks, fingerprints, or even your toddler’s artwork. It’s recommended to try any cleaning methods on a hidden part of the wall first to ensure they won’t damage the wallpaper material or print. Testing cleaners on an inconspicuous area helps prevent unwanted damage.
Scuff Marks
To clean scuff marks, mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 quart of water. Wear rubber gloves and thoroughly squeeze out the excess liquid from your sponge before gently scrubbing the scuff marks away. This method helps ensure that you don’t oversaturate the wallpaper while effectively removing the marks.
Grease Stains
For grease stains on wallpaper, a paste made from water and cornstarch can be effective. Apply the paste with your fingers, gently rubbing the area to lift the grease. Afterward, wipe the area with a slightly damp rag and dry it with a clean cloth. Additionally, dry Borax can also be used to remove grease stains from wallpaper.
Crayon Marks
To remove crayon marks from wallpaper, use a fine-grade steel wool pad with soap but no water. Rub the area very gently to lift the crayon marks. If that method is ineffective, try using a paper towel dampened with dry-cleaning solvent. Dab the area lightly and blot as you go to prevent the solvent from streaking across the wallpaper.