- Get out your vacuum cleaner, put on the extension wands and place the small dusting attachment on the end. Use the dusting attachment to remove grime from the join between the walls and the ceiling. Put the large hard floor attachment on the end of the extension wands, and vacuum the remainder of the walls thoroughly right down to the edge of the baseboards. Use the crevice nozzle to suck dust and debris from the top of the baseboards and the join between the baseboards and the walls.
- Make up a mild solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water in a bucket. Use a well wrung out sponge mop to wash the walls. Refresh the mop in the soapy water frequently to avoid any grime being smeared across the walls. Wring out a cloth in the solution, and wipe the top of the baseboards where they meet the walls. Open the windows to ensure the walls are thoroughly dry, and enjoy a well earned cup of coffee while the air is circulating. Thorough cleaning will ensure no debris gets into the paint when you are applying it.
- Inspect your clean walls for holes and cracks that need to be filled. Use a tube of decorator's caulk in a trigger gun. Place a good amount of caulk in each hole, and wipe off the excess, leaving it level with the rest of the wall surface. Press the trigger, and run the nozzle of the tube along cracks. Once again wipe off any excess, leaving it level with the wall. If there is a slight gap between your baseboards and the walls, this can also be filled with a thin line of caulk. Once the caulk is dry, sand it to ensure it is smooth and even.
- If your walls have not been painted before, or if they are stained, you will have to cover them with primer and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying your chosen color. A water-based primer will give good results in terms of sealing porous surfaces and stain blocking. If you have to obliterate very tough stains and ingrained odors, use an oil-based primer. Apply primer in the same way as you would apply paint.
previous post
next post