Martha Stewart's Full-Proof Cleaning Method For Ceilings

Have you ever lain in bed at night and rather than counting sheep, found yourself instead wondering why there are so many cobwebs on the ceiling? Or perhaps, you climbed the ladder to change a kitchen bulb, only to find yourself staring at the deep ceiling stains? If so, don't worry. You can rid your ceiling of these blemishes by employing a full-proof method of cleaning them, courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Even though ceilings are far out of reach, dust, grime, debris, and grease can all accumulate there much easier than you might imagine. Cleaning them is essential because if left untreated, your dirty ceilings will begin gathering stubborn stains, which will ruin the ceiling's texture and color. Dirty ceilings also invite insects to become permanent houseguests.

Besides serving as a breeding ground for insects and ruining your décor, the accumulated dirt on your ceilings can also trigger breathing problems, especially for individuals who are allergic to dust. So how about you don your cleaning gear to thoroughly scrub your ceilings and remove all the built-up dust, grime, stains, and spider webs the Martha Stewart way?

To begin your Martha Stewart-approved method for cleaning ceilings, you'll first need to gather your supplies, and you'll want to think of ways to optimize them for easy cleaning of an above surface. Speaking with the folks at Martha Stewart magazine, Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean, recommends using "an extra-long telescopic extension" for dusters, as well as a step ladder.  These items will help you to reach even the highest points of your ceiling for a thorough cleaning.

So, dig your step ladder out from the supply closet or borrow a neighbor's, and pull out the lightweight duster as well. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth mop instead of a duster. Acquire a tarp to cover the ground and protect your furniture. Put your HEPA vacuum on standby and wear a face mask to avoid accidentally inhaling dust. Now, spring for a pH-neutral cleaner, or prepare a DIY solution combining a few drops of your favorite dish soap with water.

Lay down the tarp, climb your step ladder, and arm yourself with a duster or cloth mop dipped in the cleaning solution to eliminate all accumulated dust, debris, and cobwebs from your flat ceiling. After the ceiling is clean, remove the tarp and use the HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove dust in the air. You can follow the same process for a textured ceiling or employ a HEPA vacuum to suction all the grime from the surface.

For stubborn stains, Martha Stewart has a few other cleaning methods (depending on the type of stain) up her sleeve to help you achieve a sparkling ceiling. For a common, stubborn stain, gather some baking soda, liquid dish soap, and water. Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water and some dish soap to create a paste. Now, apply this mixture to the ceiling stain and let it dry before squirting some pH-neutral cleaner on a mop to wipe it away. If you're trying to remove water-based stains from your ceilings, sprinkle some pH-neutral cleaner directly on the stain and use a microfiber cloth to wipe it away, per Stewart.

As for oil-based stains on the kitchen ceiling, simply prepare a mix combining dish soap and water. Put the prepared mixture in a spray bottle to sprinkle the stain, and while you let the mixture work its magic, boil some water and dip a cloth in it. Use the cloth to clean away the applied mixture and the stain should also disappear. Remember you should clean or at least dust your ceilings once a month to keep them in good shape.