A common step that a lot of people, myself included, probably forget when it comes to cleaning walls (or really cleaning in general) is dusting. Both Murphy and Dulude recommend dusting first and foremost when cleaning walls. While it’s tempting to go in with a spray simply, dusting prevents particles from being pushed around and into the air — the texture of dusters makes them great at acting like a magnet for dust particles. This extendable duster from Swiffer is three feet long, and the end bends perpendicularly, so you don’t have to bend down to reach baseboards. You can also use it to clean dust on your electronics, shelves and tables.
After dusting, you should use a mop with a microfiber pad to clean walls, such as this one from Bona, which has a 4.5-star average rating from 18,355 reviews on Amazon, and which we featured in our guide on how to clean hardwood floors. This set includes a spare microfiber pad, a bottled cleaning solution that attaches to the length of the mop and a spraying mechanism at the bottom. For cleaning walls, dampen the microfiber pad and use an up-and-down motion to clean. Avoid using too much soap or going in many different directions to prevent streaks.
Dulude recommends using a Magic Eraser to help remove stains on particularly tough walls. This extra-durable option works similarly to the regular one, except it has grooves on the surface to make scrubbing away stains and scuff marks easier. To use it, follow the usual directions: Saturate the sponge in water, squeeze out a lot of the excess and then use it to clean stains on the walls.
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves using reusable Swedish dish cloths for cleaning different surfaces in her home, and says they’re particularly great at cleaning up dust. A more sustainable alternative to microfiber, Swedish dishcloths are plastic-free, biodegradable and dishwasher safe for up to 30 uses, according to the brand. You can also use them as compost materials when you’re done with them.
Murphy recommends against using Dawn dish soap to clean walls because it’s mainly meant for getting rid of grease, often on surfaces that overlap with it, like countertops, tables and stovetops. Murphy and Dulude recommend using mostly water and very little soap to clean walls (as I mentioned above) to avoid leaving streaks or damage. If you do use dish soap to clean walls, Murphy recommends using a very small amount of mild plant-based soap.
No, you shouldn’t mop your walls with excessive water and soap to avoid damaging them and leaving streaks. You can, however, use a dry or damp microfiber mop or cloth to clean walls and a duster to clean baseboards. Additionally, you can use a Magic Eraser to spot clean walls.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select where I cover home and kitchen topics, including cooking appliances, cleaning gadgets, product reviews and deals and sale events from home and kitchen brands. I spoke to two cleaning experts and gathered recommendations from staff for this story.
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