So, you’ve finally chosen that fabulous wallpaper to showcase your interior style but how do you best look after it to keep it looking fresh and clean?
Many a foreign object can flick onto the surface of the wallpapers in your home, ranging from food to crayon to fly spray, and like any textile, wallpapers need a little bit of love every now and then. A regular wipe down with a clean cloth should keep dust and marks at bay, however, there are times when there may be the need for a deeper clean.
To better understand how to care for your wallcoverings we need to first discuss the different types of wallpapers on the market and their cleaning durability. The main three classifications are:
1. Scrubbable
Generally heavy vinyl’s, these types of wallcoverings are suited to higher trafficc areas as they can withstand scrubbing to remove stains and dirt more effectively.
2. Washable
Coated papers (light weight vinyl) would fall into this category, a mild detergent and water can be used to occasionally wipe surface of wallcovering. They are unsuitable for high traffic areas due to light cleaning and inability to remove stains or contaminants without damage.
3. Spongeable
The most delicate of the three wall coverings, these are primarily used for decorative effect (uncoated). Best maintained by using a dry, clean sponge/eraser or with a lightly dampened cloth and minimal water use.
Before you embark on any decorating that may involve the application of wallpaper, we recommend you do your research as to which wallpaper is best suited to the walls you are covering. Is it a bathroom that will need to withstand a wet environment or is it a feature wall in a bedroom that will be used for its decorative properties?
Always ensure you check the label supplied with your wallcovering to ensure you’re using the correct care method to ensure it’s longevity. Do not use household cleaners or abrasive materials as this can cause unwanted damage.
Tips for stains: We recommend always cleaning stains immediately, the longer you wait the worse the problem will become. Follow these tips to help eliminate stains quickly:
- Always remove splatters by blotting the surface
- Applying talcum powder to noticeable grease stains (i.e. oil, crayon, lipstick) will help to absorb the spot from the surface of the wallcovering
- Not quite enough to remove it? Holding a piece of brown paper or paper towel and applying a warm iron will further absorb grease marks
Thanks to James Dunlop for these helpful tips.