Removing Stains On Walls : Crayon, Mildew And More

Painting rooms in a home can be a do-it-yourself project. Armed with paint, tape, tarp and some brushes, there’s nothing you can’t re-color.

While some rooms call for a complete sand-down, there are some that don’t, and for those, Rule #1 is that your walls must be stain-free before adding the next coat of paint.

Stains can come in all varieties and the most basic stains can be treated with a damp rag or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. For everything else, you’ll need a more cleaning power.

For example, of all the stain-types, “grime” is the most common. To remove ground-in dirt and oil, start with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket, then add 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.

Rub gently and follow up with a clean water rinse.

For other common stains, try these remedies:

  • Permanent Marker : Blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow to air dry.
  • Mildew : Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 4 cups of water. Spray and allow to air dry.
  • Crayon : Dust a damp sponge with baking soda and scrub. Baby wipes work, too.

If your wall stains are “water stains”; the result of a leak or something similar, make sure the water source is corrected prior to painting. Then, to remove spots, mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, thoroughly rinse the stain, and use a hair dryer to dry the solution on the wall.

Once cleaned, your walls are ready to paint.

Neptune Realty
4445 Corporation Lane Suite 190 Virginia BeachVA - Virginia23462 USA 
 • 757-581-7898
About Eric Cardon

is the principal broker and owner of Neptune Realty. Eric is originally from NYC and now lives in Kings Grant, Virginia Beach, VA. His interests lie in technology, science, community development, ice cream, board games and green building.
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