Using washable wallpaper is one of the most practical and beautiful options for home. They got their name due to the fact that they can be wet-cleaned. The most durable of them can withstand even brushing. The article provides information on how to wash washable wallpaper, what means should be used.
How do I know if wallpaper can be washed?
In the event that you are not completely sure whether your wallpaper is washable or not, and there are no labels from the packages, try to test on a small fragment of the coating located in a place that is not striking. Look at what the pattern will become after that, the structure of the wallpaper when wet, the paint. Pay attention to what happens with a speck after drying: if there are any smudges, if the color scheme changes, if the pattern deteriorates. In the event that none of the above happened, your wallpaper is washable, and therefore you can remove contamination from this coating with a wet method.
Wallpaper marking
On rolls of wallpaper there is always a marking that tells you what type of wallpaper this product corresponds to. Here you will also find information on how to wash them correctly. For example, one wave means that you can’t wash these wallpapers. The only option is to wipe with a damp cloth or sponge without detergents. Two waves indicate that when washing wallpaper you can add a small amount of soap. Three waves - a sign of durable and resistant to washing wallpaper. Such products can be washed with various detergents. In the event that, in addition to waves, a comb is present on your wallpaper, you can use a brush or a washing vacuum cleaner when cleaning the coating.
Types of Wallpaper
The types of washable wallpaper that can withstand wet cleaning can be divided into several types:
- Paper. They are usually made of paper and coated with moisture resistant varnish. Such wallpapers are best suited for the hallway or kitchen.
- Vinyl. This wallpaper is quite soft and pleasant to the touch, they are made of vinyl, which was foamed and then fixed by inhibitors.
- With silkscreen printing. Fabric fibers were added to thin vinyl in the manufacture of these wallpapers.
- Vinyl hot stamping. Specialists call these wallpapers the strongest: firstly, they have a non-woven backing, and secondly, the material itself allows washing and the most severe cleaning to be used during cleaning. True, the high wear resistance of vinyl has a number of negative aspects, for example, this coating will not allow the walls to breathe, which means that a high-quality ventilation system will be needed in the house.
Dry clean
How to wash washable wallpaper at home? First of all, experts recommend dry cleaning the wallpaper using the most ordinary vacuum cleaner. The fact is that when wet, dust can leave stains on the surface. Vacuum the wallpaper at the lowest power of the device.
Wallpaper Soda
How to wash washable wallpaper? Experienced housewives give the answer: the most convenient remedy is a solution of baking soda. Firstly, she is always at home, and secondly, making the composition with your own hands is quite simple, and its price is only a few rubles. In addition, the tool is quite effective, you can clean the wallpaper with it once every few months, the wall covering will retain a beautiful appearance and will be clean enough.
In order to prepare a solution, you will need 30 grams of soda and a liter of water at room temperature. The composition must be thoroughly mixed, and then moisten a rag or sponge in it, then wipe the walls with them. If the room is pasted on a non-woven basis, the rag can be replaced with a brush of very soft bristles. This will enhance the effect of cleaning.
Soap solution
Speaking about how to wash washable wallpapers, one cannot but say about soap solution. In order to cook it, you will need to mix water and soap - for one part of the soap you will need 10 parts of water. You can replace the soap with the product you use for washing dishes. Foamy composition will remove dust and dirt, of course, at the end of the wallpaper will need to be wiped with a napkin dipped in clean water. Please note: both soda and soap solution are unlikely to help cope with too much pollution, remove large spots on the wallpaper with their help will not work.
Chemicals
If you have settled pollution on your wallpaper, and the wallpaper itself is quite dense, you can use various chemical products that can be purchased at the store. Before you start washing washable wallpapers, be sure to carefully read the instructions on the packaging. In order to check if the chemical agent will not spoil the wallpaper, use it on an inconspicuous area of the coating. Another option is to prepare a lower concentration product. What to do if there is mold on the wallpaper? How to wash washable wallpaper in this case? Experts advise using a tool called "Anti-mold" or whiteness.
Useful Tips
It is necessary to wash the wallpaper very carefully, if you put too much pressure on the sponge or brush, you can damage the decorative texture of the material. Your movements should be smooth, do not rub the surface for too long. In addition, it is extremely important to consider that foamed vinyl can be washed with a napkin or a soft sponge, because this coating is the most delicate. Paper wallpapers are also afraid of hard objects, using a brush, you risk just tearing a wallpaper sheet. But you can brush silk-screen wallpapers, but they are unlikely to withstand chemicals. If you decide to wash the washing wallpaper, take care of the presence of a dry sponge or napkin that absorbs water well, a soft cloth or sponge with which you can wash the wallpaper. In addition, you will need a mixer and a small basin.
Wash technology
First of all, it is necessary to pour warm water into the container, immediately after this you turn on the mixer and immerse it in a basin, introduce soapy chips or dishwashing detergent into it in small doses. The mixture must be whipped until a dense thick foam forms. By the way, talking about how to wash washable white wallpapers, experts advise using bleach, though not too aggressive. To clean the colored wallpaper, laundry soap will be enough, you can replace it with a special liquid detergent for washing colored clothes. A soft sponge or napkin should be abundantly moistened with water, squeezed, scoop up a little foam on it. Remains of foam and dirt should be removed with a dry cloth. After this, let the cleaned place dry.
Please note: if traces of contamination remain on the wallpaper, do not immediately proceed to re-wash the wall cover. Wallpaper should dry well both inside and on the surface.
Remove greasy stains
One of the most common questions exciting housewives is how to wash washable wallpaper in the kitchen, how to get rid of greasy stains on the surface? First of all, you need to use talcum powder, it should be poured onto a sponge, wipe the wallpaper, leave it on the walls for 10 minutes. After that, use a dry cloth or brush to wipe the talcum powder from the wall. Eliminates washable wallpaper from greasy stains and an iron: a paper towel should be attached to the dirt, which must be ironed with a heated iron.
Remove fingerprints
This type of contamination is easily removed from almost all types of wallpaper using the most ordinary stationery eraser. Experienced housewives know one more remedy: a contaminated place must be rubbed with bread crumb!
How to remove marks from markers?
Often you can encounter a problem such as wallpaper painted with felt-tip pens. There are many ways to handle this, the type of cleaning depends on the type of surface and the type of felt-tip pen used.
If you used a water-based marker, just wipe the wallpaper with a damp cloth. How to remove a trace from alcohol felt-tip pens? You can wash washable wallpaper with alcohol, vinegar, or citric acid. You may need to repeat the procedure more than once. Never use detergent to clean the wallpaper, even if it is suitable for delicate fabrics.