Cleaning Wall & Door Stains

Tip: Office Cubicle Cleaning
To clean an office cubicle, treat it in a similar fashion to upholstery. First, vacuum it regularly to avoid dust and dirt from getting ground in. Try the following in a non-visible area first, to ensure that the fabric is color-fast. Mix 1/4 cup high-suds laundry detergent with one quart of warm water. (If you can, do this in a blender or with a mixer to make the most suds possible.) Apply just the suds with a medium-bristled brush. Work lather in small circles, overlapping as your go. Wring out a towel in clean water and go over the entire surface. Be careful not to get the fabric too wet at any time. When dry, vacuum to remove any remaining residue.

Tip: Water Stain Removal
Unfortunately, water stains in a ceiling are nearly impossible to remove. The water will have actually altered the ceiling and this is what causes the discoloration. If your ceiling is white, you may be able to bleach it, after the stain is dry. Make a bleach solution with water and bleach, and apply to the stain. You will likely have to paint over the stain, but be sure to seal off the stain first, or it will continue to leach through and keep reappearing. You can buy a sealant at home improvement or paint stores.

Tip: Cleaning Wood Walls or Wood Paneling
The way you clean your wood walls or wood paneling depends completely on the type of finish (if any).

If the wood is sealed with a polyurethane, you can wash it down with soap and water and marks or dirt should wash off with no trouble. You should be able to tell if it is finished by checking for a shine or coating.

If the wood is unfinished, you will only be able to dry wipe it or vacuum it. You may want to consider finishing the wood to make future cleanings easier.

Tip: Pencil Mark Removal from Painted Wall
To remove pencil marks from a painted wall, the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe clean. Repeat if necessary. Be sure to try the solution in a hidden area first, to test for colorfastness. You could also try a solution of mild detergent and warm water, and use baking soda as a scrub if needed. Work in sections from the bottom up to prevent streaks. Let dry for a few minutes and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Another option to remove the pencil marks is to rub them gently with a pencil eraser.

Tip: Minwax Oilbase Stain Removal from Painted Wall
You probably won´t be able to remove the stain without harming the paint underneath. Turpentine would likely remove the stain, but test it in a hidden area first. You may need to repaint the spot, if you do not have any matching paint, you can take a small chip into a paint store and they should be able to make an exact match.

Tip: Wall Cleaning Solution
A good homemade wall cleaner is a solution of 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 gallon of warm water. Another very effective wall cleaner is a solution of 1/2 cup borax, 2 tablespoons soap flakes (like Ivory Flakes), 1 tablespoon ammonia, and one gallon of warm water. Use full strength in spray bottle or add two cups to a pail of warm water. Extra can be stored in a plastic jug until needed. Or, the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe clean.

Tip: Hairspray Removal from Wall
To remove hairspray from your walls, rub the area with a clean cloth sprayed with ammonia.

Tip: Cleaning Dirty Walls
The newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe clean. Repeat if necessary. Be sure to try the solution in a hidden area first, to test for colorfastness. You can sprinkle a little baking soda on your sponge to use with the Bio-OX for a more abrasive action. However, if the dirt has embedded itself into the paint, you may need to use a very fine grit sandpaper, which may or may not remove some of the paint.

Tip: Black Heel Mark Removal from Wall
You can remove the black heel scuffs from your walls with a dilution of Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate. Spray it on the marks. Allow the solution to penetrate for a few minutes, then gently wipe off with a clean white cloth.

For a homemade solution, you can try rubbing gently with baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. The baking soda will be gently enough to not harm the paint, but should work well at removing the marks.

Tip: Wax Removal from Painted Wall or Wallpaper
To remove wax on a painted wall or from wallpaper, wait until the wax gets cold. Pick as much as you can off with your fingers, plastic credit card, etc. Then, heat an iron on low temperature and place a tissue against the wax and gently heat the wax. It will absorb into the tissue. Repeat with numerous tissues until the wax is gone.

Tip: Smoke Film Removal from Wall
You should be able to remove a smoke film from your walls by washing them with a solution of 1/2 cup borax, 2 tablespoons soap flakes (like Ivory Flakes), 1 tablespoon ammonia, and one gallon of warm water. Use full strength in a spray bottle or add two cups to a pail of warm water.

Tip: Cleaning Painted Walls
Try using a dilution of Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate. Spray it on the wall. Allow the solution to penetrate for a few minutes, then gently wipe off with a clean white cloth.

For a homemade solution, you can try a solution of 1/2 cup of ammonia, with 1/4 cup white vinegar, mixed with 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 gallon of warm water.

Tip: Marker Stain Removal from Wall
To remove an alcohol-based marker stain, spray the area with non-oily hair spray or rubbing alcohol.

If the marker is oil based, apply a little lighter fluid (using caution, as this is highly flammable).

If the marker is water-based, use dishwashing liquid mixed with color-safe bleach or prewash spray. Spray lightly, rub gently, then dry.

Tip: Wallpaper Cleaning
To remove the stains on your wallpaper, try scrubbing with baking soda. Baking soda will not harm the wallpaper, and is very effective at removing stains. If the stains are not coming off, try using a solution made from half rubbing alcohol and half water; or, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water; or, 1 cup bleach in one gallon of water. Wet the surface with the solution, then rinse thoroughly. Or, the newest technology uses peroxide and detergents to penetrate soiled areas. Simply spray a product such as Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate on the soiled area, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, then wipe clean. Repeat if necessary. Be sure to try the solution in a hidden area first, to test for colorfastness.

Tip: Ink Stain Removal from Wall
You can remove ink stains from your wall by using a non-oily liquid hairspray. Spray the area well then wipe with a clean cloth. You may need to use several applications. Remember to always test in a non-visible area first to be sure that this does not harm your wall.

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