Suggestions needed: Best cleaner for painted plaster walls and painted woodwork.

[Paper Roses]

Last edited Thu May 22, 2014, 05:06 AM - Edit history (1)

I am in the process of preparing my house for sale. I cannot afford a professional to paint either the inside or outside of my house. Current circumstances require that I do the work myself. I used to do everything but 'old age' has slowed me down.

I have tried Simple Green, Mr. Clean, Greased Lightning and a couple of other cleaners before but I have never thought the job looked good. The painted plaster and the woodwork are in good order, just need a cleaning. Do you have any suggestions about a more effective all-purpose cleaner? I'll never have the energy to do it twice and will do one or 2 walls at a time.

I would like the house to look fresh and clean for any prospective buyers. The outside will have to remain in need of paint, no funds available for that job.

Any suggestions would be a great help.
Thanks
On edit: The cleaner I need to use would be the type to be mixed with water in a bucket, not something to be sprayed directly on the walls.

[X_Digger]

1. Wow, greased lightning didn't do the job?

That stuff should come with rubber gloves, it's so powerful.

I would have recommended simple green as a good balance between power and safety.

[JimDandy]

2. I'm dealing with that right now too

at my parent's home. If the plaster is smooth, use a mop with a brand new sponge head (the dense yellow kind) and dawn dish detergent. Make sure to vacuum any cobwebs first, then start at the top of the wall and mop down in even rows with a little overlap (like using a paint roller). The mop should be rinsed and wrung out fairly well after each 1/2 to full row. If the paint is flat, wring the mop out fairly dry and use a lighter pressure, short strokes, a smaller angle and an appropriate amount of elbow grease. Change the rinse water very frequently. Mopping works also on the wood work. For scuff marks of any color use a rag with a little comet and scrub a couple times directly on the marks and they will come up almost immediately. If the plaster is textured you will need to go the tedious route with a tough, non-colored rag that won't leave filaments behind. (Had to do this in a textured hallway and it was a chore!)

Good luck and take lots of breaks.

[ret5hd]

3. TSP?

If you use it, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.

[lululu]

4. tsp

tsp was my thought also. test on a small area first.

I was always told start at the bottom and work up, otherwise drips happen on the dry area and are hard to get rid of for some reason.

[Adsos Letter]

5. For the painted surfaces I would try Krud Kutter

It's an excellent cleaner/degreaser and can be cut with water to a strength to meet your needs.

I'm a semi-retired painter, and we used a strong solution as a part of our paint prep ( just follow the directions, as an overly strong solution will kill the gloss of your coating; a positive when doing prep work, but not what you're looking for).

It is also very economical when mixed for general cleaning.

Good luck with whatever you decide.


edit: i just noticed the date of the OP...whoops!

[LaydeeBug]

6. SCRUBBING BUBBLES IS THE ANSWER

Get many cans of it. (I had about 750 square feet that had been chain smoked in for about 20 years to the tune of 2 packs a day and it took like four to five cans)

Spray the scrubbing bubbles on your wall DO NOT RUB IT OFF. Let the bubbles move down your wall, and add more bubbles as you see drips forming so that there are no drip marks. After you've thoroughly coated your wall (work in spaces) rinse it off with a rag and some warm water.