The Retro Trick That Makes Cleaning Walls A Breeze

Not everyone thinks to clean their walls on a regular basis. However, if you look closely, you might notice dirt and smudges that'll suddenly be impossible to unsee. You could reach for a typical cleaning solution to banish the marks — or simply grab a slice of white bread. Turns out, people started cleaning their walls and wallpaper with bread centuries ago, and it's a hack that still pops up in modern times. A charity called English Heritage, which cares for historic sites, even tested out the method and reported they had positive results getting rid of dirt on wallpaper.

There are many unexpected ways to use bread around the house that don't involve making turkey sandwiches. Its porous and absorbent makeup allows it to be a cleaning tool for messes, from picking up glass to removing fingerprints from photographs. Now, it's not the most common technique for spot cleaning walls, and it has its downsides, like the possibility of producing crumbs. But it's one that's good to keep in your back pocket, as bread is fairly inexpensive and a staple in most kitchens. You never know, you might be in a situation where it's the only solution in sight. Plus, using bread allows you to clean without chemical products, just like our ancestors did.

First, get out a slice of fresh white bread. While some recommend stale bread, it could be too harsh for your walls or wallpaper. Chop off the crusts, then roll the bread until you form a tight ball. Set it aside as you prepare your wall. Take a dry microfiber cloth and gently dust the section of the wall where the mark is located. Now, take your bread ball and start rubbing it over the smudge. Go back and forth in the same direction, and it should begin to disappear before your eyes. If the bread becomes full of dirt or is no longer usable, simply grab a new slice and repeat the process until the job is complete.

You can try this trick for dirt, pencil, crayon, and other common marks that appear on your walls. The bread's spongy texture should help remove them without causing damage. Just know that this technique might lead to a different chore, vacuuming. After you're done cleaning your walls, simply vacuum the breadcrumbs up. Isn't it incredible what a slice of white bread can do? Pull out this trick when you're in a bind or don't feel like getting out a bucket and cleaner. It's been around for all these years, so it could be worth a try. Don't forget, you can repurpose bread bags in your home, too.