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Removing Handprints On Wall

At some point or another, everyone has found (or left) oily fingerprints or handprints on the wall. As you well know, walls that are greasy and smudged are pretty gross, and it’s unlikely that “disgusting” is the look you’re going for in any of the rooms in your home.

Have no fear! Learn how to clean smudges off the wall with the following three tips.

Note: Before you attempt any of these methods, read up on the cleaners that should be used on different types of household wall paints. In addition, you should always perform a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area of the wall.
 

How to Clean Smudges off the Wall with Dish Soap

One of the easiest — and gentlest — ways to get rid of handprints on the wall is with dish soap. Here, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a soap that is designed to cut grease.

You’ll need:
 
  1. In the bucket, mix a few drops of the dishwashing liquid with warm water.
  2. Lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution.
  3. Use the damp cloth to wash the stain until you can’t see it any longer.
  4. Let the wall dry to make sure any oily residue has been removed. If you can still see faint traces of fingerprints or handprints, repeat the process.

Getting Rid of Handprints on the Wall with Vinegar

You probably already know that there are myriad cleaning uses for vinegar. But did you know that one of the reasons this household product is such a good cleaner is because of its natural grease-cutting abilities?

You’ll need:
 
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Warm water
  • A bucket
  • Microfiber cloths
  1. In the bucket, mix ½ cup of vinegar with ½ gallon of very warm water.
  2. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution.
  3. Wipe the oily fingerprints with the damp microfiber cloth.
  4. Rinse the area with warm water — no vinegar this time — before drying it with a clean microfiber cloth.
  5. Inspect the wall to make sure all the fingerprints or handprints have been removed. If there are still traces of smudges, repeat the process.

Cleaning Oily Fingerprints with Chalk

Find it hard to believe that you can clean anything with a little chalk? Well, it’s true. Chalk is porous, meaning it has some amazing absorbent qualities.

You’ll need:
 
  • A stick of white chalk
  • A microfiber cloth
  1. If you’re starting with a fresh stick of chalk, you’ll need to wear the tip of the chalk down a bit first. Using chalk with a sharp edge can scratch your paint or leave marks in your walls. Grab a piece of cardboard or construction paper and wear the tip of the chalk stick down into an angle before using it to clean your walls.
  2. Once your chalk is ready, rub it over the fingerprints.
  3. Let the chalk sit for five to 10 minutes.
  4. Gently wipe away the residue with a dry microfiber cloth. You should see some chalk adhering to the oily fingerprints or handprints on the wall.
  5. Lightly dampen the microfiber cloth, and use this to wipe away the remaining chalk and the smudges themselves.
  6. Let the area dry. Repeat the above instructions if you still see any handprints or fingerprints.

Now that you know how to clean smudges off the walls, take a look at these handy tips for removing crayon murals your kids may have created for you. And if you’ve been looking at crayon or oily fingerprints for weeks because you’re simply too busy to take care of them, call your local Merry Maids for some housekeeping backup.

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