If you want to clean a ceiling, start by dusting it. Otherwise, washing will lead to dirt streaks that are hard to remove.
Ceilings are an often neglected part of a cleaning routine, and it’s easy to see why – they’re hard to reach and not in your line of sight. But a ceiling can accumulate a tremendous amount of dust and cobwebs over time.
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If you want your ceilings to look new, here’s the easiest way to wash them.
Supplies You Need For Ceiling Cleaning
- Long-handled duster, vacuum with a soft-bristled cleaning brush, or a microfiber mop with a clean pad
- Dish soap and water
- Clean, soft microfiber cloth
Best Way to Clean a Ceiling: Step by Step
If you’re getting ready to deep clean a room, your ceiling should be the first spot you tackle. It’s important to always clean a room from top to bottom, or you’ll end up with dust and dirt on the areas you’ve already cleaned.
Step 1: Dust Your Ceiling
The first step to cleaning a ceiling is dusting. If you don’t rid the ceiling of dust and cobwebs, washing it with a liquid will result in smears.
To dust, start at the corners knocking down cobwebs. There are various tools you can use, depending on what you have on hand. For example, you can remove cobwebs with a broom, duster, vacuum attachment, or a mop with a clean microfiber pad.
Now, take your long-handled duster or microfiber mop and use light, even strokes, to dust the entire ceiling.
As you’re dusting, don’t forget about the light fixture. You can use your duster or vacuum to remove build-up from ceiling fan blades and the base of light fixtures.
(Note: If you have popcorn ceilings, use a feather duster, vacuum attachment, or a clean paint roller. Using a broom or microfiber mop can ruin the texture.)
Step 2: Wash the Ceilings
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If you have flat, painted ceilings or ceiling tiles, you can wash your walls with a solution of dish soap and water. Dish soap is one of the mildest cleaners and works well to rid most surfaces of dirt stains without ruining the finish.
(If you have popcorn ceilings, skip this step. Water will make the ceiling texture crumble.)
Here’s how to wash your flat, painted ceilings:
- Fill a bucket or bowl with water and add a couple of drops of dish soap, then mix
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution
- Wipe your ceilings in long even strokes
- After you’ve wiped the ceiling, reclean any areas with excess dirt
- Allow the surface to dry
Avoid oversaturating your cloth. It should be damp, not soaked. Also, switch out your microfiber cloth if it becomes too dirty.
Step 3: Wipe Down Crown Molding
If you have crown molding near your ceiling, wipe it down with your cleaning solution. You can also wipe your ceiling fan blades.
How to Remove Common Ceiling Stains
With your ceilings clean, you’ll be able to see any problem areas. There are three main types of ceiling stains – grease, water, and smoke.
Here’s how to deal with stains on flat, painted ceilings. But before you start removing stains, put on gloves and safety glasses, and place a towel under the area you’re working to protect your floor.
Grease – Grease stains are common over the stove in kitchens. You can remove them using a grease cleaner like Krud Kutter of Zep foaming wall cleaner. Follow the instructions for the product you’re using.
Smoke – Smoke stains appear yellow or gray. Remove them by mixing a spray bottle with half water and half white distilled vinegar. Spray the stain, then blot with a sponge and gently work in circles. Dry the area. If the stain persists, repeat.
If you can’t get the stain off with water and vinegar, use a damp Magic Eraser. Just be careful – if you press too hard on the Magic Eraser, it can remove paint from the ceiling.
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Water stains – Water stains look like circular or oval patches of yellow or brown, often with a darker ring around the edges. These stains are the hardest to remove from ceilings.
To remove water stains start by opening windows for ventilation. Then, fill a spray bottle with one part bleach and three parts water. Spray the stain with the solution and let it air dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.
What if Your Ceiling Stains Won’t Go Away?
If you’ve treated your ceiling stains and they won’t go away, you’ll need to prime and paint.
Always start by cleaning the ceiling and allowing it to dry. Then treat the stains with a stain-blocking primer. If you fail to do this, the stains can show through the new paint. After the primer is dry, paint using 1-2 coats of ceiling paint.
How to Clean Your Walls
If you want to tackle your walls while you clean your ceiling, follow the same process. Start by dusting the walls and removing cobwebs and dirt build-up.
After you’ve removed all the dust, you need to spot-test your wall. If your wall has semi-gloss, satin, or eggshell paint, you shouldn’t have any problems washing it. Matte paint, however, does not clean as well.
Fill a bucket with water, add a couple of drops of dish soap, and mix. Now dampen a fresh microfiber cloth with the solution and wipe your wall in an inconspicuous area. If the spot doesn’t damage and the paint doesn’t remove, you can move on to cleaning the entire wall.
Here are some tips:
- Work in small sections, starting at the top of the wall and working your way down
- Use gentle circular motions to clean
- After you’ve washed a small section, dip a new cloth in water only. Then, wipe the area to rinse it.
- Dry each section with a soft, dry towel
- Repeat until all walls are clean
Final Thoughts
While never a fun task, cleaning ceilings isn’t difficult. The most critical step is dusting. If you want to wash your ceilings with water, ensure the surface is dust-free and only use a dampened rag. Treat stains depending on their type but avoid oversaturating the ceiling.
If you have popcorn ceilings, you need to be more careful. Excess force while dusting can crumble the popcorn texture.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens