How To Bring Your Scuffed Flat Paint Walls Back To Their Former Glory

By now, you probably already know that your paint finish is as important as the paint color. Choosing the right paint finish is what determines if your paint will be durable, washable, reflective, you name it. Flat paint finishes are one of the best for hiding imperfections on your wall, but they aren't very durable. Due to their low sheen and porous nature, they can scuff and stain easily. That's why cleaning flat paint walls can be tricky because you could stain them some more. But tricky doesn't mean impossible, and we know an easy way to clean your wall with a flat paint finish.

The cleaning supplies you'll need are mild detergent or dish soap, a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and warm water. Before you start cleaning, move close furniture away and lay down some old clothes or towels to protect the floor. Dust the walls to remove loose dirt or cobwebs, then start prepping your cleaning solution. Different stains have different solutions tailored to their removal. A mix of a little dish soap or mild detergent in warm water will handle oil stains. Stubborn pencil marks can be taken off with a paste of baking soda and water. Water-based stains are the least stressful, and a simple damp microfiber cloth works here.

Starting from the top, gently scrub in a circular motion with the sponge/cloth. This top-to-bottom approach prevents drips from ruining areas you've cleaned. Use a barely damp microfiber cloth soaked in clean water to rinse off the walls by applying gentle pressure. Gently pat the walls dry with another microfiber cloth to prevent watermarks.

You could still notice some stubborn scuff marks even after cleaning your flat paint walls. These kinds are not caused by color residue from a shoe or furniture but by damage to the finish itself, so cleaning wouldn't work well to remove them. In this case, the best fix for your wall would be retouching the walls with paint. Thankfully, a wall touch-up with a paint with a flat finish would be barely noticeable. Ensure you mix the touch-up paint properly so it blends with the rest of the wall.

A magic eraser (melamine sponge) is a popular idea for removing scuff marks. While they could be a fast fix for scuffed paint, they come with a risk. Stubborn scuff marks require prolonged rubbing with a magic eraser, and since this product is abrasive, it could worsen your problem. However, it is still an easy option you could try when all cleaning tactics have failed. With a magic eraser, wet the sponge with water and wring out any excess water to leave it damp. Next, use light pressure and small circular motions to rub on the scuff. When the mark lifts, wipe the spot with a clean, dry cloth to remove any residue. But if the scuff remains, don't keep rubbing on your wall, as the flat finish can get damaged. You'll need a paint touch-up to get that scuff out.