Should You Sand & Clean Walls Before Painting?
Getting ready to paint your home is exciting, but before you open that paint can, there’s one important step you shouldn’t skip: cleaning the walls. It might seem like extra work, but cleaning your walls before painting can make a huge difference in how your paint job turns out. At BC Brushworks, we know that the key to a great paint job is preparing your walls the right way.
In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll explain why it’s so important to clean your walls and give you simple steps to do it right.
Why Clean Your Walls Before Painting?
Cleaning your walls before painting is like laying the foundation for a house—it’s the base that supports everything else. Here’s why it matters:
1. Better Paint Sticking
When you wash the walls, you remove dust, dirt, and grime. This makes the surface smooth and helps the paint stick better. If your walls are dirty, the paint might not stick well, which could cause it to peel or flake later.
Dirty walls create a barrier between the paint and the wall surface. Imagine trying to apply a sticker to a dirty or dusty surface—it won’t stick properly, and you’ll likely see it peel off after a while. Paint works in a similar way. If there’s dust or grease on the wall, the paint may not adhere as well, leading to issues like peeling, flaking, or chipping soon after you’ve painted. By cleaning the walls first, you’re ensuring that the paint forms a strong bond with the wall, which is key to making it last.
2. Smooth and Even Finish
Dirt and grease can cause your paint to look streaky or clumpy. Clean walls mean the paint will go on smoothly, giving you that professional, even look.
Have you ever painted over a surface that wasn’t perfectly clean? The paint might look uneven, with streaks or clumps in certain areas. This happens because the dirt, dust, or grease on the wall prevents the paint from spreading evenly. In kitchens, for example, walls can have a thin layer of grease or oil that’s invisible to the eye but causes problems when you start painting. By washing the walls first, especially in areas like kitchen walls, you’re removing those contaminants and setting up the paint to glide on smoothly and evenly.
3. Prevent Stains from Showing
If there’s dirt or grease on your walls, it can seep through the paint over time and create ugly stains. Cleaning the walls first keeps these stains from messing up your paint job.
Stains and discolorations can sometimes bleed through a fresh coat of paint, especially if the walls weren’t properly cleaned beforehand. This is particularly true for water-based paints, which can be more prone to allowing stains to show through compared to oil-based paints. By thoroughly cleaning the walls and addressing any stubborn stains with stronger cleaning agents like TSP, you can prevent these unsightly marks from ruining your newly painted walls.
4. Make Your Paint Last Longer
A clean wall lets the paint bond properly, making it last longer. This means you won’t have to repaint as often, saving you time and money.
When paint bonds well with the wall surface, it’s less likely to crack, peel, or bubble over time. This bond is only possible when the wall is clean and free from debris. A strong bond between the paint and the wall ensures that your paint job will withstand the test of time, reducing the need for touch-ups or repainting down the road. This is especially important in high-traffic areas or on interior walls that get a lot of use, where durability is key.
How To Clean Walls Before Painting: Steps
Now that you know why it’s important, let’s go through the steps to prepare walls for painting.
1. Gather What You Need
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Warm water
- Mild dishwashing liquid soap
- Sponges
- Bucket
- Soft cloths
- Broom
- Vacuum cleaner
- TSP (trisodium phosphate), if needed
2. Remove Dust and Cobwebs
Start by using a broom or vacuum with a brush attachment to sweep away dust and cobwebs from the walls and ceiling. Make sure to get into the corners where dust likes to hide.
3. Vacuum the Baseboards and Floors
Use the vacuum to clean up any dust and dirt around the baseboards and on the floor near the walls. This keeps debris from getting into your paint later.
4. Wash the Walls with Warm, Soapy Water
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a little bit of dish soap. Dip a sponge into the soapy water and gently wash the walls using a circular motion. Start at the bottom and work your way up, paying close attention to spots that are especially dirty, like kitchen walls or areas with lots of handprints.
5. Rinse the Walls Well
After you wash the walls, rinse them with clean water using a damp cloth. This removes any soap left behind, so it doesn’t interfere with the paint.
6. Use TSP for Tough Stains
If you have tough stains or grease that won’t come off with soap and water, you can use TSP (trisodium phosphate). Mix the TSP with water according to the directions on the package. Then, scrub the stained areas with a sponge.
Be sure to rinse with clean water afterward to get rid of any TSP residue.
7. Dry the Walls Completely
Make sure the walls are completely dry before you start painting. A damp wall can cause the paint to blister or bubble, which will ruin the finish. You can use a dry cloth to speed up the drying process.
8. Light Sanding for Previously Painted Walls
If your walls have been painted before, you might want to do some light sanding. This helps smooth out the surface, especially if there are rough spots. After sanding, be sure to dust off the walls again before painting.
9. Protect Your Space
Don’t forget to protect your floors and furniture from water or cleaning chemicals. Use drop cloths and make sure you’re wearing rubber gloves when handling stronger cleaners like TSP.
Conclusion
Cleaning your walls before painting is a step you don’t want to skip. It helps the paint stick better, gives you a smooth finish, and makes your paint job last longer. By following these simple steps, you’ll prepare your walls for painting the right way and set yourself up for success.
If you’re looking for a professional touch, BC Brushworks is here to help. Our team knows how to make your painting project shine, from prepping the walls to applying the final coat. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule your next painting project.