Temporary wallpaper has become the in-thing for numerous reasons. Most people praise it for its versatility and ease of installation. It seems like every DIY lover has been rushing to the store to get a level and a pencil. With the ease of installing this wallpaper, almost anyone can be handy in the home. But DIY is not the only selling point for this wallpaper – it’s also easy to maintain. Unlike paint, which requires ultra-careful, temporary removable wallpaper is forgiving. You can spill on it and even use it in dusty spaces without losing your investment. Even so, you might not be sure how to care for this masterpiece.
Below is how you go about this:
Moderately to Very Dirty Wallpapers
Is your wallpaper past the stage of vacuuming? In that case, you might need to get some water and detergent in the mix. Here’s how you do this:
Understand Your Wallpaper
Removable wallpaper is named so because of its working mechanism. You peel off its backing and attach it to a surface, and your work is as good as done. However, not all wallpapers are the same. You may have noticed that the selections range from floral to vintage to ombre peel and stick wallpapers. These will not have the exact cleaning needs, and you must check with the manufacturer to see what is advisable for your wallpaper.
Some wallpaper varieties can do with being thoroughly soaked and rinsed. Others are more sensitive to moisture and are best washed using spot-cleaning techniques. Also, check if you can scrub the wallpaper. Remember that different materials will handle the pressure differently.
So, what happens if the wallpaper on your wall does not come with instructions? Well, you look at its material. If it feels and looks glossy, you can use water. But if it has a paper-like texture, avoid using water and vacuum the piece.
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Use Water and Detergent
Most temporary wallpapers are easy to clean and don’t need to break your back to get supplies. All you need is some warm water and some detergent (not the abrasive). You will also need a sponge or a soft cloth that will not pressure the wallpaper. That means scrubbing pads are also not ideal for this job unless your manufacturer asks for them. They can tear into the wallpaper or weaken its structure, paving the way for wear and tear.
Add a few drops of the detergent in a warmed bucket and mix the two – Then, dip the sponge or cloth in the bucket and remove the excess moisture. Dab the fabric on the wallpaper, and see how it reacts. Ideally, this should be in a small and hidden part of the paper. Thus, you will not have damaged the entire document if anything happens. If the wallpaper seems fine, you can start wiping it down from top to bottom. Rather than going horizontally, section out the wallpaper in vertical alignments. So, you finish one rectangle and then move to the other. As you do so, work in small circles to cover all the paper.
Should you use more detergent if the wallpaper is filthy? It’s not advisable to use too much soap. Most of it will remain on the paper and will attract more dirt. So, only add detergent if the few drops prove to be insufficient. As you work through the paper, keep wringing out the excess water. The moisture and soap left on the cloth will be enough to eliminate the visible dirt. Otherwise, the excess water could soak through the paper and weaken it.
How hard should you rub on the paper? We recommend that you wipe the paper rather than scrub it. Scrubbing is abrasive and could damage the paper. If the stains seem too entrenched in the paper, add soap, then keep wiping the surface. Even oil stains can come out this way.
Rinse Out the Detergent
If you leave detergent on the wallpaper, it will attract dirt and cause unsightly lines on the surface. So, you must rinse out the detergent you have applied on the paper. How? Should you pour water on the paper and leave it to dry? No, this can dampen the wallpaper and the wall. So, instead, you should use a cloth towel that is lint-free for this job. Get a bucket of clean water and dip the towel in this. Wring out the excess water and run the cloth over the first section you covered. Then rinse it, wring out the water again, and cover the second section. Keep doing this until you have covered the entire surface.
Mildly Dirty Wallpapers
Sometimes, your wallpaper has gathered some dirt but not enough to warrant a deep clean. In such cases, you can wipe it down without using water. It also reduces the number of times you need to deep clean it. How does this work?
Dust it Off
Is your wallpaper in need of some TLC? A broom could be what it needs. Of course, you must be careful with the material of the broom – some can be too rough on the paper and could tear it. So, stick with cloth mops in this case. Work your way from the top to the bottom, ensuring you dust off each spot. Then you can sweep the floor and clean the rest of the room. You could replace the mop with a cloth of your choice.
Vacuum the Wallpaper
We often use vacuum cleaners to get rid of dust in our homes. So, why not take their outstanding efficiency to our walls too? All you need is to add a soft brush extension to your vacuum cleaner to avoid damaging the wallpaper. Also, avoid rubbing the vacuum on the paper. Then, as we did with the detergent, start cleaning the paper from the top as you head to the bottom. Keep doing this for each section until you have covered the entire area.
Final Words
The answer to how to clean temporary wallpapers in your house is right here in this article. Is this guide helpful to you? Let us know in the comment section below. Thanks for visiting Greenhouse Center and I hope to see you around soon!
