3 Tips for Cleaning Painted Surfaces

There are many different painted surfaces that exist inside and outside of a home or business. Painting siding, cabinets and doors is a really affordable way to spruce up a surface. When it comes time to clean these painted surfaces, there are certain products and techniques that you should use in order to protect the paint job. Let’s take a closer look.

Clean Regularly

In order to protect paint, you’ll need to gently clean the surface. To do that, you should try to clean that area regularly so that dirt and grime don’t get a chance to build up. According to ChemDry, you should wash your walls about once a month. If you leave it alone for years at a time, you’re going to end up needing a very deep and aggressive cleaning. That is exactly the type of process that can end up damaging painted surfaces. As you allow stains to sit or more grime to adhere itself to the surface, this will only cause more permanent problems. If you have kitchen cabinets that are constantly exposed to food, oil, or heat, try to get into the habit of wiping them down regularly.

Be Gentle

You might think certain areas are more durable than others even if they have been painted. Just because something on the exterior of a building holds up to the changes in weather patterns, this doesn’t mean it will always be safe to clean. According to Absolute Steel, for prepainted metal roofing or siding, mild detergent solutions are typically adequate. Don’t use any kind of abrasive brushes or harsh chemicals that could end up scratching or scraping the surface.

Use the Right Tools

Before you begin cleaning, you should make sure that the tools you use don’t damage the paint. Some tools are good for getting off stains, but could damage the paint in the process. You’ll want to check what kind of paint your surface has and go from there. For example, according to Family Handyman, using a Magic Eraser is great for getting stains off of some things, but if you use it on a wall painted with a glossy finish, it could end up stripping some of the paint off. This will make part of your wall look dull and uneven compared to the rest of the wall. If you can get away with just using a washcloth, this is usually your best bet. 

Don’t feel like you can’t clean or maintain a painted surface. While there is the potential to damage these areas, there are plenty of safe ways to keep up with your cleaning routine. Look for the right products for the job. Also, make sure you aren’t being too aggressive. Putting a little bit of elbow grease into the job doesn’t necessarily apply when you’re talking about something like cleaning painted surfaces.