Vinyl is one of the most durable forms of wallcoverings available, making it a popular choice among homeowners, especially those with pets or young children. In most cases, you can easily care for your vinyl covering by simply wiping it down with warm soapy water, using nothing more than dish soap to get the job done. However, as any family with children or pets knows, sometimes deeper, more stubborn stains can appear, making it harder to get rid of them using common dish detergent alone. Grease, crayons, markers, and even footprints can mysteriously appear on your walls, and if not caught immediately, can leave stains and marks that are incredibly difficult to remove. Here are a few tips on how to care for vinyl wallpaper in the face of persistent or stubborn stains.
Start With Dish Soap
Some stains are easier to remove than you may initially think, so start with your usual method of a quarter cup of dish soap mixed into a bucket of warm water. Be sure to dry the wall with a cloth after you’ve made your cleaning attempt. If this still doesn’t work, move on to the next suggestion.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most versatile items in your home and can do everything from deodorize to clean. Mix about a tablespoon of it with a teaspoon of water in a bowl and make a paste. Next, rub the mixture onto the stain and let it sit in for about fifteen to twenty minutes before wiping it off with a cloth or sponge. You can repeat this more than once if you need to.
Laundry Spray
If you have pre-wash spray in your home, you can use this to help remove stubborn stains without damaging your wallpaper. Spray the stain with a fair amount, but don’t soak your walls entirely with the spray. Allow this to sit in for about fifteen minutes and remove with a damp cloth. You may need to work at it for a bit to see a difference.
For more information about caring for your vinyl wallpaper
