Wall Cleaning Tips for Long Island Homes

April 4, 2025 by Neal Zott

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Want spotless walls? Start here.

Long Island homes face dust, grease, and mold challenges due to the coastal climate. Here’s how to keep your walls clean and protected:

• Dust Weekly: Use microfiber cloths or soft vacuum attachments to prevent buildup. Focus on corners, vents, and behind furniture.
• Match Cleaners to Paint: Use the right cleaning method for your wall’s paint type (e.g., flat, eggshell, high-gloss).
• Tackle Grease: Mix vinegar, water, and dish soap to clean kitchen grease.
• Stop Mold: Use a bleach solution for mold-prone areas like bathrooms and basements.
• Care for Delicate Surfaces: Dust and spot-clean wallpaper or textured walls gently.
• Seasonal Deep Cleans: Adjust cleaning routines for Long Island’s changing seasons.

Need help? NLZ Cleaning Services offers professional wall cleaning across Nassau, Queens, and Kings Counties.

How to clean painted walls in 6 Easy Steps | Benjamin Moore

1. Remove Dust Weekly

Keeping your walls dust-free is a must, especially in Long Island homes where seasonal debris can quickly accumulate. A weekly dusting routine helps prevent particles from settling into walls and causing damage over time.

Grab a microfiber cloth or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, and work from top to bottom using overlapping horizontal strokes. Focus on these often-overlooked areas:

• Corners, where cobwebs love to hide
• Above doorways, where airborne dust collects
• Near air vents, where dust builds up faster
• Behind furniture, a spot many forget

When vacuuming, keep the nozzle 2–3 inches away from walls to avoid scuffing. For textured walls, use a brush attachment and move in gentle circular motions. High walls or cathedral ceilings? An extension duster with a telescoping handle will make the job easier and safer.

Don’t forget to clean your tools afterward. Wash microfiber cloths in warm water (skip the fabric softener) and regularly clean vacuum attachments to keep them in good shape.

If someone in your home has allergies, dusting twice a week during high pollen seasons can help improve air quality and cut down on allergens. It’s a small step that can save you from deeper cleaning later.

Up next, learn how to adjust your cleaning technique based on your wall’s paint type for the best results.

2. Match Cleaners to Paint Type

Choose the right cleaning method for your wall’s paint finish to prevent damage.

Here’s a quick guide for cleaning different paint finishes:

Cleaning Tips by Paint Finish

• Flat/Matte: Use a dry microfiber cloth or a slightly damp one. Work in small sections (about 3×3 feet) to avoid water stains.
• Eggshell and Satin: Clean gently using circular motions with a soft sponge. Always test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous spot first.
• Semi-gloss and High-gloss: These finishes are more durable. Use diluted all-purpose cleaners or commercial solutions with a microfiber cloth for deeper cleaning.

General Cleaning Tips for All Paint Types

• Wring out cloths until they’re just damp – too much water can damage the paint.
• Maintain a room temperature of 65-75°F while cleaning for best results.
• Let walls dry completely (usually 15-20 minutes) before touching or applying anything else.
• Stick to one cleaning solution at a time – don’t mix products.
• Avoid cleaning walls in direct sunlight, as it can leave streaks.

If your walls are textured, use a soft-bristled brush to reach into grooves. For areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms or laundry rooms, consider using a dehumidifier to help protect the paint.

Next, we’ll look at handling kitchen grease with natural solutions.

3. Clean Kitchen Grease with Vinegar Mix

Grease buildup on kitchen walls, especially near cooking areas, can be a hassle. A simple vinegar solution can help remove these stains without harming your walls.

How to Make the Vinegar Solution

Combine the following in a spray bottle:

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon dish soap (to boost grease-cutting power)

How to Use It

1. Ventilate the Area: Open windows or turn on exhaust fans to ensure proper airflow.
2. Test a Small Spot: Spray a small 2×2 inch area and wait 10 minutes to ensure no discoloration occurs.
3. Clean in Sections: Work on small areas for better results:
   • Lightly spray the solution onto the grease.
   • Let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
   • Wipe with a microfiber cloth, then use a damp cloth to remove any residue and dry the surface.

Tips for Stubborn Grease

If you’re dealing with tough grease spots, like those above the stove:

• Use a stronger mix (2 parts vinegar to 1 part water).
• Clean these areas more often, ideally every 2-3 weeks.
• Install a splatter guard to reduce future buildup.

Temperature Matters

Keep the room temperature between 65°F and 75°F while cleaning. Extreme temperatures can impact how well the solution works and how quickly it dries.

Important Safety Notes

• Never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.
• Avoid using this solution on natural stone surfaces.
• Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
• Stick to non-abrasive cloths or sponges to prevent wall damage.

Now that you’ve tackled grease, let’s look at other wall cleaning challenges.

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4. Stop Mold with Bleach Solution

High humidity in Long Island homes often leads to wall mold. Using a bleach solution is a straightforward way to tackle this issue. Before starting, make sure to follow safety guidelines.

How to Mix a Bleach Solution

Combine 1 part household bleach with 3 parts room-temperature water. You can mix it in a spray bottle or bucket, depending on your preference.

Safety First

1. Ventilate: Open windows and doors to ensure proper airflow.
2. Protect Yourself: Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and an N-95 mask.
3. Test the Surface: Apply the solution to a small, hidden area first to check for any adverse reactions.
4. Temperature Matters: Keep the room temperature between 65°F and 75°F while working.

How to Apply the Solution

1. Pre-cleaning
   • Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean the affected area.
   • Wipe the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
2. Treatment
   • Lightly mist the area with the bleach solution.
   • Let it sit for 10 minutes to work effectively.
3. Cleaning
   • Wipe the area with a damp cloth, followed by a dry microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

Repeat these steps as needed to keep walls mold-free.

Areas to Monitor

Pay extra attention to these spots, as they’re more prone to mold growth:

• Bathroom walls: Above showers
• Basement walls: Near the foundation
• Kitchen walls: Behind refrigerators
• Exterior-facing walls: Especially during humid summers

Regular checks in these areas can help prevent mold from spreading.

Prevention Tips

• Use dehumidifiers when indoor humidity exceeds 60%.
• Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms during showers.
• Inspect and repair window seals regularly.
• Keep air conditioning units in good working condition.

Key Warnings

• Never mix bleach with other cleaning products – it can create dangerous fumes.
• Avoid using bleach on unpainted drywall as it may cause damage.
• For mold covering more than 10 square feet, it’s best to call in professionals.
• Persistent mold often points to deeper moisture problems that need to be addressed.

5. Protect Delicate Wall Surfaces

Once you’ve tackled common wall stains, it’s time to focus on preserving surfaces that need extra attention. Use specific cleaning methods to ensure these more fragile areas remain in great condition.

Wallpaper Care

For all types of wallpaper, start by gently dusting with a microfiber duster or a vacuum brush attachment. If the wallpaper is labeled washable, test a cleaning solution (mix 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap with a gallon of lukewarm water) on a hidden spot first. Then, lightly wipe the surface with a barely damp sponge. Dry it right away using a clean microfiber cloth to avoid damage.

Textured Wall Surfaces

Special Considerations

• Dust areas around light switches, corners, and edges regularly.
• Pay extra attention to spots behind furniture where dust can accumulate.
• Inspect areas near air vents every few months to keep them clean.

Emergency Spot Treatment

If a sudden stain appears, blot it immediately with a dry cloth. Use a suitable cleaning solution, but avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain or damage the surface.

Tools to Avoid

Avoid these tools when cleaning delicate wall surfaces to prevent damage:

• Magic erasers
• Abrasive scrubbers
• Steam cleaners
• Bleach-based products
• Pressure washers
• Wire brushes

6. Schedule Seasonal Deep Cleans

Seasonal deep cleaning is a great way to give your walls the care they need throughout the year. Long Island’s changing seasons bring specific challenges that make this extra attention essential.

Spring (March-May)

Get rid of winter buildup:

• Clean window frames, heating vents, and baseboards with leftover residue.
• Remove salt deposits from entry areas.
• Check and clean spots showing water damage.

Summer (June-August)

Combat summer’s humidity:

• Focus on bathroom and laundry room walls.
• Clean around air conditioning vents.
• Pay attention to high-traffic areas.

Fall (September-November)

Get ready for the colder months:

• Dust thoroughly before heating season begins.
• Prep window areas before installing storm windows.
• Clean kitchen walls ahead of the holiday season.

Winter (December-February)

Improve indoor air quality:

• Clean around thermostats and vents.
• Tidy up entrance areas affected by salt spray.
• Inspect and clean basement walls for moisture issues.

Seasonal Cleaning Schedule

NLZ Cleaning Services of Long Island offers a deep cleaning package that includes specialized wall care to tackle these seasonal challenges while keeping your surfaces in great shape.

Helpful Tips for Seasonal Cleaning

• Keep track of recurring problem areas that need extra care.
• Use tools and cleaning products suited to the season’s dirt and humidity levels.
• Adjust how often you clean based on the season’s conditions.

Adding these seasonal deep cleans to your routine wall care helps maintain cleanliness and keeps your walls protected all year round.

7. Book Professional Wall Cleaning

When regular cleaning just won’t cut it, professional wall cleaning can make a big difference. NLZ Cleaning Services provides customized cleaning solutions designed to care for every surface in Long Island homes.

What Professional Wall Cleaning Covers

Their team uses specialized methods to safely clean all types of wall surfaces:

• Assessing walls to determine the best cleaning approach
• Applying techniques suited for various wall types and finishes
• Using safe, effective cleaning products and tools

Why Choose Professional Cleaning?

Here’s what professional wall cleaning brings to the table:

These highlights show why professional cleaning is worth considering for challenging situations.

When to Call in the Professionals

It’s a good idea to schedule professional cleaning in these situations:

• During seasonal deep cleaning routines
• After major events or home renovations
• When dealing with stubborn stains or heavy dirt buildup

NLZ Cleaning Services offers wall cleaning as part of their deep cleaning packages, serving Nassau, Queens, and Kings Counties.

Getting Ready for the Service

To prepare for professional cleaning, remove items and decorations from walls and identify any specific problem areas. This ensures the cleaning team has full access and helps protect your walls while extending their lifespan.

Conclusion

Keeping your Long Island home’s walls clean not only enhances its appearance but also helps maintain its value. Regular upkeep and the right cleaning techniques safeguard your investment while ensuring a pleasant living space.

This routine highlights the importance of customized wall care. Each wall surface – whether flat, semi-gloss, or textured – requires specific cleaning solutions to ensure effective results and protect the finish.

For tough stains or more extensive cleaning needs, NLZ Cleaning Services of Long Island provides thorough wall cleaning as part of their deep cleaning packages. They proudly serve Nassau, Queens, and Kings Counties, offering a 150% service guarantee.

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