Keep Interior Paint Fresh With These Maintenance Tips
When you paint your home’s interior, you invest a lot of money and time. That’s why you’ll want to do what you can to help your interior paint stay fresh as long as possible. Here are some tips that will do just that.
Look for Stains and Spots
As you live in your home, stains and spots on interior paint occur. Children and pets help accumulate these spots and stains at an even faster rate. The longer these spots stay on the paint, the harder it is to get rid of them. That is why you need to treat spots and stains as quickly as possible.
It is easy to overlook stains and spots. However, take the time to look at high-traffic areas. These include:
- Kitchens
- Hallways
- Walls on the staircase
- Children’s rooms
You may have high-traffic areas specific to your own home. Think about where your kids play or where pets like to sleep. Also look at areas where furniture is close to the wall. Finally, look at light switches and areas around doorknobs.
How To Clean Stains and Spots
As soon as you see a spot on your interior paint, you should clean it up.
- Most spots and stains that are fresh will come off with a bit of water and elbow grease.
- However, if this does not work, you can add some dishwasher soap to a damp sponge.
- You can also use three tablespoons of vinegar mixed with a gallon of water as a cleaner for latex walls.
- For scuff marks, try using some baking soda as an abrasive on a damp sponge.
Mold Issues
Florida is a damp, warm, humid area. That’s why mold thrives here. Bathrooms and basements only add to the problem. When painting these areas, be sure to use paint that prevents mold and mildew growth. However, mold may still grow.
If you find mold on your interior walls, you can clean it by:
- Using a homemade cleaning solution. Use one part bleach to four parts water. Test the solution in an out of the way area to be sure it does not fade your paint.
- If the mold area is larger than nine square feet (a 9-foot by 9-foot square), you should call a professional.
What to Do With Faded Interior Paint
Faded interior paint is best prevented by using high-quality paint to begin with. These paints are less likely to fade even if they are in direct sunlight.
However, if you are concerned about fading interior paint, here are a few things you can do:
- Use shades to block the sunlight
- Buy light-blocking curtains to keep out the sunlight
- Tint your windows with a UV protection coating
Keeping your interior paint fresh is not difficult to do as long as you make it part of your home’s maintenance plan. If you have not yet painted your home, give us a call today. We’d love to talk with you about exciting neutral colors that will enhance your home’s interior. These colors create a neutral palette that any potential home buyer will enjoy, keeping you from having to repaint if you choose to sell your home in the near future.