If the dirt on your walls has crusted over and/or built up, you may need something a bit more abrasive than just vinegar and water. Start by adding a ¼ cup (55 g) of baking soda to your solution and test-clean again. If necessary, keep doing so up to 2 to 3 cups (442 to 662 g).
Rinse the walls with a clean, damp rag to remove any residue once you're done cleaning, and let them air dry.
It is effective at killing mould, germs, and bacteria, so any stains you have on your wall will be removed by it too. There are a few ways to create the vinegar solution to clean painted walls. All you need to do is create a 50:50 solution of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Some of the most effective household cleaners aren't meant to be mixed. You probably already know never to combine harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia (or really, bleach and anything). But common pantry essentials that are often used for cleaning — like baking soda and vinegar — shouldn't be mixed either.
(Or you can go “old school” and do the cleaning with vinegar: Use two or three tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of water. Using vinegar to clean a painted room can be surprisingly effective.) Wet a sponge in the mixture and wring it out to dry.
So, while you can use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach on their own for cleaning purposes, we recommend that you avoid mixing them with vinegar. However, if you have accidentally mixed either of these, it is best to dispose of the mix outside immediately.
Gently rubbing the walls with a dry sponge is your best bet. Or, tread lightly with a cleaning solution of water and mild dishwashing liquid soap (a drop or two of dishwashing soap per half-gallon of water).
Pour baking soda into the drain (about half a cup), followed by one cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. After waiting, boil a kettle of water and dump all of the boiling water down the drain to flush out the loosened clog.
You should use a ratio of 1:2 baking soda to vinegar. In other words, if you're using ½ cup of baking soda, use 1 cup of vinegar, or if you're using a cup of baking soda, use 2 cups of vinegar.
If you're planning to use baking soda and vinegar together, Morris suggests using the mixture while it's still bubbling – and ideally, directly on the surface you're cleaning. For example, one useful method Morris suggests is to dump a bit of baking soda down a garbage disposal, followed by a couple glugs of vinegar.
For most painted walls, warm water and dishwashing detergent will work well, but if your walls need more substantial washing, add one cup of white vinegar to a bucket of warm water. Vinegar will not be harmful to the paint on the walls, so do not worry when applying how to clean the stain on the wall with vinegar.
Use warm water and an all-purpose cleaner for walls with latex paint. Wash this type of paint with a soft sponge and a safe, all-purpose cleaning solution like water, dish soap, and distilled white vinegar. Dip a clean sponge in your wall cleaner, wring it dry, and gently clean your wall.
We washed with the vinegar mixture. We immediately rinsed with a little bit of water so our mixture wouldn't leave residue on the walls. We found that washing the walls in a circular motion was the way to go. Going straight from top to bottom in a linear motion left streaks on the walls.
The set time for vinegar can be up to 30 minutes. For example, to clean the insides of food-stained pots and pans, soak them in a mixture of one-half cup of white vinegar diluted with one gallon of water for 30 minutes.
A chemical reaction between the vinegar and the baking soda produces bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The dish detergent in the vinegar helps the bubbles last longer than they would with just vinegar and baking soda.
Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz over the baking soda. Leave until the mixture has stopped bubbling. Use a dish sponge to help lift away stubborn stains.
What if The Baking Soda & Vinegar Hack Doesn't Work? If your drain doesn't unclog right away, repeat the baking soda & vinegar process another time or two. If you have a stubborn clog, sometimes the baking soda & vinegar trick just doesn't work. You may have to use a sink plunger to help push through the blockage.
If the clog still seems to be intact, start over at step 1 and repeat the process a couple of times. For extra-stubborn clogs, you can let the fizz mixture sit overnight or combine this method with plunging.
It is safe to leave baking soda (and vinegar) to work overnight to unclog a drain. Always flush this mixture down with boiling water—no matter how long you leave it sitting in the drain.
Sugar soap is a powerful cleaning agent for walls that removes all dirt and uneven spots for even and smooth paint application. Think of it as a necessary touch to your wall before putting on makeup.
However, if you need to step up your cleaning tactic, add mild dish detergent to the water. For a more powerful cleaner, grab a spray bottle and mix 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 gallon of warm water. Evenly distribute the solution onto the wall and gently rub it with a sponge.
Mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water, and use a soft sponge to tackle stubborn stains. You can also try using washing-up liquid and warm water. For glossy finishes, which are less durable when it comes to cleaning, avoid harsh substances and consider using heat instead.