Modern-day wall panels are easier to clean and maintain than ceramic tiles.
They have no hard-to-clean grout joints, lesser risk of physical damage and are much easier to replace.
But even the most trouble-free bathroom or decorative wall panels require regular cleaning and at least a little maintenance.
That brings us to the big question—how to clean wall panels and keep them in good shape without spending much time and effort?
The answer is simple. Just follow these expert tips on wall panel cleaning and maintenance.
How to clean wall panels and keep them in good condition for years
1. Adopt a regular cleaning regimen
A quick cleanup on a regular basis (preferable every 1-2 days) is the best way to go. This will avoid stains and dirt buildups that require hard scrubbing.
This regimen works well for all types of wall panels, including wood veneer, artificial greenery and PVC wall panels like these.
Accumulation of dirt can conceal stains. If possible, dust the wall panels once a day.
A broom, a simple piece of dry, lint-free cloth or a regular feather duster can all be used for the task. You can alternately vacuum the panels to get rid of the dirt.
Give your wall panels a thorough cleanup once a week. You’ll only need these 3 supplies:
- A microfiber cloth (or some other non-abrasive cloth)
- A bucket with soapy water (half a cup of dish soap mixed in one gallon of warm water)
- A bucket with clean warm water
Dip the cloth in warm soapy water and wipe the entirety of the wall panel. Apply a good lather of soapy water on the wall panel.
Let the soapy water sit on the surface for 2-3 minutes. Rinse the cloth in the bucket of clean water and then wash off the soap. Scrub where and when required.
Never use abrasive chemical products such as bleach for cleaning the wall panels. These can cause them significant and permanent damage.
2. Remove wall panel stains and spatters at the earliest
Stains are easiest to remove while they’re recent. Most will simply wash off with some water.
The rest will need some mildly soapy water and gentle scrubbing. Use a piece of soft cloth, dip it in soapy water and gently rub it bottom to top over the stain.
If mildly soapy water fails to do the trick, you can try a stronger detergent. It’s best to perform a spot test to check the effects.
Try out the detergent on a small part of the stain. If it yields the desired result, apply the detergent to the entirety of the stain.
Once the stain is removed, make sure to completely wash off the detergent and wipe the surface dry.
Cleaning spatters and stains as they occur is the best, most effortless way to avoid getting permanent marks on your wall panels.
3. Use smart & safe cleaning practices
Always dust before you use water or detergent to clean your wall panels. Here’s what you can use for dusting:
- A soft broom
- Clean unused/old paint brushes
- Paper towels
- A dry microfiber cloth
- Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
Dust the wall panels in the top down direction.
When cleaning fresh stains or spatters, spot clean the spattered area. Unless it’s been a while since you cleaned the whole panel, leave the rest of the panel surface untouched.
For large sized wall panels, it’s advisable you keep wiping the surface dry as you clean it.
This will prevent the occurrence of water stains and ensure there are no damp spots on the panels post cleanup.
Use white vinegar and water solution to get rid of stubborn stains or grime deposits. Mix half a cup of white vinegar in a gallon of clean water.
Dip a clean cloth in this solution and then gently rub it on the stain or grime deposit.
For stains that still won’t come off, spot test using undiluted white vinegar.
If you’re satisfied with the results and there’s no discoloration, use it on the entire stained or grime deposit.
4. Keep your wall panels dry
Kitchen and bathroom wall panels are the most susceptible to getting damaged by wet conditions.
The smart solution is to only use wall panels made from water-resistant materials such as PVC for such areas.
Wall panels made from treated fibreboard or those with a laminate finish offer little resistance against wet conditions.
They’ll start to deteriorate if subjected to moist or wet conditions for extended periods of time.
Unfinished wood wall panels require particular care during cleaning. These panels lack a protective layer and can readily absorb water and grease.
This can cause them permanent damage. If you’ve got these wall panels, I’d recommend that you stick to dusting and vacuuming for cleaning them.
Make sure to quickly wipe your wall panels dry after cleaning. Wipe away any spills as they occur so the panels don’t remain wet for long.
5. Secure the panels when you’re renovating
Working on a DIY project or hiring professionals to paint or renovate your place?
Make sure to cover up your wall and ceiling panels (examples) with a plastic sheet. This will keep them protected from dust, paint, scratches and worse.
Do you expect the painting or renovation work to take a while? Well, then it’s best to remove the wall panels instead of leaving them on unsupervised.
Carefully remove the panels and store them away till the work is done. Look for a cool, dry area that doesn’t receive direct sunlight for storing the wall panels.
6. Shield the wall panels from direct sun
Preventing sun damage is a crucial part of wall panel maintenance. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can damage wall panels that lack UV protection.
Decorative wall panels made with fabric, laminate or paper finish are all susceptible to fading off in the sun.
If you’ve got non UV resistant wall panels in areas that receive direct sunlight for even a couple of hours a day, you need to shield them.
You can use louvered blinds or curtains for the task.
How to clean wall panels and keep them in good shape? You have the answers now.
Follow these tips, share them with your friends and you can all keep your wall panels clean, safe and beautiful for years to come.