Removing Wall Stains With Laundry Detergent: Why You Should Try It

It doesn't seem fair that vertical surfaces can accumulate dust, but unfortunately, walls can get dusty and dirty just like anywhere else in your home. Keeping them clean not only helps them look nicer, but it also prevents neglected fingerprint smudges or food splatters from turning into stubborn stains. One unexpected cleaning hack calls for using powder laundry detergent on your walls.

The differences between powder and liquid laundry detergent matter here. Liquid detergent is already diluted, whereas powder detergent can be dissolved in water to the concentration you need for the task. The differences between soap and detergent matter, too. Chemically speaking, both soaps and detergents are surfactants, which help dirt and oil wash away more easily in water. However, detergents tend to be stronger because they were originally formulated from synthetic ingredients to mimic the cleansing power of natural soaps.

These properties make powder laundry detergent a promising choice for cleaning when ordinary soap isn't strong enough, but its strength also means it should be used carefully. Potent chemicals can possibly damage your wall's paint or texture. Test the detergent solution in a hidden spot first to ensure it'll be safe to use elsewhere.

Before you start washing, ensure your walls are free of dust and cobwebs. Use a long-handled duster or dry mop to wipe down your wall. Once it's dust-free, mix a tablespoon of laundry powder into one gallon of warm water. This may not sound like a lot of detergent, but remember that laundry detergent is highly concentrated. Just like when you wash your clothes, how much laundry detergent you actually need to clean your walls might be less than you think.

Gently blot or wipe the wall with a clean cloth or soft sponge. Avoid hard scrubbing, which can damage your paint, and don't let the wall get too wet while you work. Also, make sure you're not using whitening laundry detergent on your walls because the chemicals that help your clothes look whiter can actually affect the appearance of your paint. 

When you're done cleaning, "rinse" the solution off by wiping down the wall with a clean, damp cloth. If the surface is still dirty, you may need to try some other genius hacks to remove wall stains. Tough messes like permanent marker scribble, crayon doodles, or sticky mystery spots can potentially be resolved with other household ingredients.