How to clean walls before painting: tips for beginners

Sooner or later, every home needs to be redecorated. But to freshen up your home, you don't have to radically redo everything, because it's enough to update the color of the walls.

However, before you start painting, it's important to prepare the walls so that the result is as good as possible. Southern Living has told you how to clean them before applying paint .

Why is preparation important?

If you want your new paint to last longer and look more professional, don't neglect the prep work. Before painting, you need to pay attention to the condition of the walls. If they have cracks, stains, etc., you need to fix them before you start painting.

What do you need?

• Vinegar
• Baking soda;
• Dishwashing detergent;
• Bucket or tub;
• A stepladder;
• Screwdriver or drill (for removing fittings);
• Soft rags.

Step one

Before you start cleaning, remove all elements from the walls, such as light switches, pictures, etc. This step is extremely important because it allows you to prepare a convenient surface for further work. Spend a few minutes on this and you will save time in the future.

Step two

Make sure the walls are free of dust or dirt. Use a regular soft dust cloth to wipe the walls thoroughly from top to bottom.

Step three

Prepare a solution for cleaning the walls. To do this, take 1 liter of vinegar, 1 liter of baking soda, and 3 liters of water. You can also use a detergent solution, but it is important to remember that water should be its main ingredient. Excessive amounts of soap can lead to stains.

Step four

Use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the walls. Try not to wet it so much that the solution drips onto the floor. Just enough so that you can see it spread evenly over the surface. If the ceilings in the room are high, don't forget to take a ladder to cover all areas.

Step five

After cleaning the walls, use a clean, dry cloth to remove any residual mortar. It is important that no traces of liquid remain on the surface. Then allow the walls to dry for at least two hours before priming and painting.

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