Quick start
The simplest way to prep walls is a **slightly damp sponge** with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. A few teaspoons of baking soda in warm water also works on light grime.
Room-by-room steps
- Dry dust first. Vacuum baseboards and corners; dust walls top-down with a microfiber mop.
- Mix a mild wash. 1 bucket warm water + drop of dish soap or baking soda. Keep a second bucket with clean rinse water.
- Wash gently. Work in sections using circular passes. Swap the rinse water for each new room.
- Spot clean. Use a degreaser in kitchens; a magic eraser for scuffs. Rinse any cleaner residues.
- Dry. Wipe drips; run a fan for airflow. Most walls are dry in 2–4 hours depending on humidity.
- Scuff sand glossy areas. Lightly sand with 220-grit to dull sheen; wipe with a damp rag.
“Tape test” — ready for paint?
Press painter’s tape to the wall and peel. If it sticks firmly, surfaces are clean and dry enough to prime/paint. If it lifts, **rinse again** or allow more dry time.
What **not** to use
- Heavy-duty cleaners or **TSP** for ordinary dust — overkill and residue-prone.
- **Acidic products** (vinegar, CLR, tub/tile acids) — can react with old paint and harm adhesion.
- Over-wetting drywall — can swell paper and soften compound.
Do pros wash every wall?
Usually not. On normal, lived-in rooms professionals **dust → scuff sand → spot-prime**, then paint. Full detergents are reserved for heavy grime, kitchens, or smoking residue.
Rooms most likely to need washing
- High-touch areas: hallways, entries, kid bedrooms, baths
- Kitchens with grease or aerosolized oils
- Mudrooms and pet zones
Mold & staining
Remove mildew first with a **4:1 water/bleach** solution; rinse and dry thoroughly. For prior smoke, severe stains, or past mildew, spot-prime with a **stain-blocking oil/alkyd primer** before topcoats.
Trim & baseboards
Trim collects dust more than walls. Wipe with a damp cloth (semi-gloss cleans easily), then **scuff sand** to improve bonding.
Why scuff sanding matters
Even “flat” paints have a small sheen. A quick scuff (120–220 grit) levels nibs, de-glosses shiny patches, and gives primers/paints a micro-tooth to grab.
