Quck answer
Steam cleaning walls is an effective and eco-friendly way to remove dirt, grime, and allergens. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the steam cleaner by filling it with water and ensuring it’s ready for use.
2. Remove any loose dust or debris from the walls using a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
3. Test a small, inconspicuous area of the wall to ensure the steam doesn’t cause any damage.
4. Starting from the top, work your way down the wall in a systematic manner, using the steam cleaner’s nozzle to release steam.
5. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe away the loosened dirt and moisture.
6. Repeat the process for each section of the wall until it’s clean and dry.
7. Finally, allow the walls to air dry completely before touching or applying any paint or wallpaper.
Steam cleaning walls is not a necessary part of your regular cleaning routine, but it can be beneficial for deep cleaning dirty walls or disinfecting them after having a sick person or pet in your home. When done correctly, steam cleaning allows you to clean walls without removing paint; however, it is possible to damage your walls with steam. The key to success is to only use steam on certain finishes and to keep the steamer moving at all times.
Is Steam Cleaning Suitable for Your Walls?
Whether steam cleaning is a suitable option for cleaning your walls depends on the type of finish they have. Steam cleaning is generally safe for painted walls unless they are coated in water-based paint. It is also a safe method for cleaning and disinfecting sealed tile and brick walls.
Steaming should never be done on wallpapered walls. Using a steamer is actually helpful when you are trying to remove wallpaper because the steam dissolves the wallpaper glue. However, this is not the desired outcome when you only want to clean your walls. It can also be risky to steam clean wooden walls as high heat and water can cause wood to warp. Never use steam to clean unsealed surfaces, such as raw wood paneling, and always test steam on an inconspicuous patch of wall before using it to clean a large area.
Tip
If you have dirty wallpaper, use a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water to clean it and follow with a dry cloth. (Test a small area first to ensure the soapy water does not damage the paper.) There are also commercial products available that can be useful for removing marks and smudges from wallpapered walls.
Choosing a Steam Cleaner for Walls
You do not need a specialized steam cleaner for walls. Any household steam cleaner can be used for this task. A handheld hard-surface steam cleaner is easy to maneuver when cleaning walls, while a heavy-duty steamer with a nozzle and hose may help you complete the job more quickly. If you have a garment steamer, it can also be used to steam clean walls.
How to Clean Walls Using Steam
Step 1: Prepare the Walls
Steam may damage certain types of furniture, especially wooden pieces, so move everything at least a few feet away from the walls before you begin cleaning. Remove any artwork, unpainted shelves, and other decorative fixtures that could be damaged by steam. Use a microfiber cloth to dust the walls and remove any debris.
Step 2: Prepare the Steam Cleaner
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to fill the reservoir of your steam cleaner with water and heat it up. Unless the manufacturer’s instructions state otherwise, do not add vinegar or any other substance besides water. (Vinegar can be useful for cleaning the steam cleaner itself, but it is not necessary for cleaning your walls.)
Step 3: Perform a Spot Test
Select a low area of the wall or an area typically hidden by furniture to test the steam cleaner. Hold the steamer about 6 inches away from the wall and release a burst of steam. Then, wipe the area with a microfiber cloth. (If your steam cleaner has a microfiber cloth head attachment, you can simply brush the wall instead of directing steam towards it.)
Step 4: Cleaning Walls with Steam
If you have determined that there is no damage after conducting a spot test, you can proceed with steam cleaning the walls. Begin by holding a nozzle steamer approximately 6 inches away from the wall’s surface, starting from the top and moving downwards. It is important to keep the steamer in constant motion to avoid concentrating too much heat in one area for a prolonged period. Once you have steam cleaned a section of the wall, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any dirt and prevent water from dripping. Repeat this process until the entire wall has been steam cleaned.
