Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your High Gloss Painted Walls

High gloss painted walls offer a beautiful and elegant style. Along with their attractive appearance, high gloss paints are also durable, standing up well to contaminants and traffic. However, like anything else in your home, they still require some basic cleaning every so often.

When you decide it’s time to clean your walls, it’s essential to know how to find the right materials and have some useful tips in mind to guide you through the process.

Materials for Cleaning High Gloss Walls

One of the first things to check before cleaning your walls is that you have the right materials. Some options can damage high gloss paint, so be careful and gather the supplies you need to do the job effectively.

Here are some materials to use for cleaning your high gloss walls:

Soft materials: You should always use soft materials when cleaning high gloss paint. Microfiber cloths are your best option, as these will wipe away any dirt and leave them free of any shed fibers.
Water: In most cases, lukewarm water is enough to make your high gloss walls shine again. Just add some to a microfiber cloth and you can start cleaning.
Mild detergent: If you need a little extra cleaning power, mild cleaning solutions are best for high gloss walls. This is a relatively mild cleaning job — it’s beneficial to find a simple detergent to match. A few drops of dish soap will do just fine.

Along with these main materials, you should also have a bucket handy for the water, as well as a dry towel in case any water drips down.

What to Avoid When Cleaning High Gloss Paint

As important as it is to know the materials you should use for cleaning, it’s also important to know which ones you should avoid. While it might seem convenient to only use the materials at your disposal, using the wrong ones could harm your paint.

Make sure to avoid these when cleaning your high gloss paint walls:

Harsh chemicals: Cleaning agents such as bleach and ammonia are too harsh for high gloss paint. Acetone and nail polish can be especially damaging — make sure you avoid these while cleaning your painted walls. Stick to mild detergents such as dish soap and water and you will get the job done effectively.
Hot water: Adding heat to paint may cause it to soften, leaving it vulnerable to damage.
Abrasive materials: Avoid sponges and paper towels. These often have more abrasive surfaces that leave scratches behind on your walls.
Excessive force: It’s best to be gentle with high gloss paints, as too much scrubbing can cause damage. A gentle hand is usually all you will need to wipe away dirt and smudges. Rushing through the washing process and emphasizing speed over effectiveness can lead to further complications. Take your time and focus on the task at hand for the best clean.

Avoiding the wrong materials and using the right techniques will set you up for success. It will lessen the possibility of potential problems in the future and extend the longevity of your high gloss paint.

If you did use one of these materials or methods on your high gloss walls and you think you might have done some damage, help is close at hand. Professional painting companies like Shoreline High Gloss can get your wall looking good as new again.

How to Clean High Gloss Painted Walls

After you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to clean. While the process is simple, there are some high gloss paint cleaning tips to keep in mind as you begin. It’s helpful to have a rough outline of what you’ll be doing so you know how much time and effort to devote.

1. Prepare

Identify the spot where you want to clean and prepare the area:

Double-check that you have the right materials so that you can be confident you’re cleaning effectively.
Place your dry towel on the floor.
Fill your bucket with water.
Keep your mild detergent handy.

The more prepared you are, the easier washing your walls will be. You’ll have everything within reach and the process will go smoothly.

2. Dust

Before you start cleaning, it’s helpful to clear away the surface dirt and dust on your high gloss paint. Lightly dust the wall with a microfiber cloth to prepare for washing — this will help get the top layer of debris out of the way and create a smooth surface for washing.

3. Choose Your Method

When it’s time to start washing, you can pick your method.

Some recommend top-down washing, where you start at the top of the wall and clean downwards. Others emphasize starting at the bottom, working up and then back down again. Choose whichever method you prefer and start cleaning.

Some people prefer to start with pure water and see if that’s enough to get things clean. If you want a little more help, you can add a few drops of dish soap to your microfiber cloth.

When you’re done, you can clean up the area, wipe up any excess water and vacuum away any dirt.

Deep Cleaning and Repairs

With these tips for taking care of high gloss painted surfaces, you’ll be able to clean your walls the right way. However, even with its durability and longevity, high gloss paint will start to show its wear after a while. Sometimes high gloss paint maintenance demands a little more attention.

Refinishing or repainting is more cost- and time-efficient if you’re looking at anything more than a basic cleaning. When you start to notice some imperfections on your walls, it’s time to contact Shoreline High Gloss Painting. Whether it’s refinishing, repainting or general maintenance, we have the services you need to get your high gloss painted walls looking new again.

Shoreline High Gloss Interior Painting

Maintaining high gloss paint doesn’t have to fall into your hands alone. Shoreline High Gloss Painting has the knowledge and expertise to provide beautiful finishes for your walls. We’re a Fine Paints of Europe Master Certified Painter, which points to our expert craftsmanship, the skill of our artisans and the quality of our products.

In addition to its beautiful and luxurious appearance, high gloss paint is also durable and easy to clean. It’s the perfect investment for a home. Shoreline High Gloss Painting can help you outline and execute exactly what you want. Contact us for a free estimate today!