Fresh and Clean Walls

Cleaning nonwashable wallpaper
Is your nonwashable wallpaper soiled? Rub it gently with an art-gum eraser, dough-type wallpaper cleaner (found in paint and hardware stores), or crustless slices of fresh, "doughy" bread.

BONUS TIP >> Transform regular wallpaper into washable wallpaper by giving it a coat of wallpaper sizing, then one of clear shellac.


Cleaning washable wallpaper
Here's a novel way to clean washable wallpaper with dry detergent suds. Mix 1/4 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of warm water and beat it with a rotary beater into a stiff foam. Scoop up only the dry suds and apply with a cloth or sponge.

Crayon on wallpaper
Removing crayon marks on wallpaper by sponging then with dry-cleaning solvent. It the dye remains on the wall, mix 1 teaspoon of liquid bleach in 1 cup of water and apply it to the stain. (Test an inconspicuous area first to make sure the solution won't damage the paper.)

BONUS TIP >> Silver polish, applied with a clean cloth, will remove crayon marks on vinyl wall coverings. Concentrated dishwashing detergents also works well.

Spots on wallpaper
Clean fresh spots on wallpaper as soon as possible. Blot a new grease spot with a clean paper towel. Then, holding a fresh piece of absorbent paper on the spot, press with a warm (not hot) iron. Change the paper with it becomes greasy. To remove old grease spots, use a commercial stain remover (available at wallpaper stores).

Ink spots on wallpaper
Use chlorine bleach to remove ink spots on washable wallpaper. Pat the spots with a cloth or a cotton swab dampened with bleach, then rinse with a cloth or sponge dipped on clear water. Test an inconspicuous spot first; the bleach may remove color.

Hard-to-reach corners
To dust hard-to-reach corners, slip an old sock over a yardstick and secure it with a rubber band.

Removing cobwebs
Cobwebs can be sticky and can stain surfaces if you don't remove them carefully. Use a vacuum cleaner tool or a cloth-covered broom, and lift them away from the wall rather than pushing them into the surface.

Preventing vacuum scratches
When vacuuming trim, plasterwork or woodwork, protect them from scratches by attaching a "bumper," a strip of foam rubber secured with a rubber band, to the head of your vacuum's crevice attachment.

Renewing painted walls
Washing painted walls is faster and cheaper then painting them. Begin at the bottom of the wall, and work rapidly in small areas with a well-wrung-out cloth or sponges. Use only white, off-white, or colorfast cloths or sponges. Wipe wall dry to prevent streaking.

BONUS TIP >> Before washing a painted surface, dust it with a broom, covered with a flannel cloth. Change the cloth when it gets dirty. When washing, tie a washcloth around your wrist to catch wall-washing drips. An athlete's terry cloth wristband will work well too.