How to keep every type of wallpaper clean?

Dear Águeda,
Thank you for your interesting question, which I’m more than happy to answer. Thinking about maintenance and cleaning routines is indeed very important if we want to make sure our wallpaper will still look beautiful in years to come. Regularly cleaning and dusting your wall décor is also beneficial to your health, especially if you suffer from allergies. Let’s see in detail why keeping your wallpaper clean is good practice and how to deal with the various types of wall décor on the market.

If you want to jump to your specific wallpaper material, you can click on the following links:

How to deep-clean all washable wallpapers?
How do I keep non-woven wallpaper clean?
How do I keep vinyl wallpaper clean?
How do I keep textile wallpaper clean?
How do I keep grass cloth, bamboo or other natural wallpapers clean?
How do I keep paper-based, cellulose wallpaper clean?
How do I keep Peel & Stick wallpaper clean?

Why is it important to regularly clean your wallpaper?

It’s a fact of life: dust and grime accumulate over time, dulling the vibrancy of your wallpaper. That’s why it’s important to establish a regular cleaning routine. However, making sure that your wallpaper is looking good is just one of the benefits of cleaning it:

• It creates a safer environment for allergy sufferers
  Wallpapers trap allergens such as dust mites, pollen, or pet dander, and for individuals prone to allergies or asthma, these airborne particles can trigger a range of health issues. Regular cleaning is the best way to reduce allergens and create a safer environment, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
• It maintains hygiene
  All sorts of particles and bacteria float in the air and land on your wallpaper; a regular cleaning routine is essential to ensure a healthy living space for you and your family.
• It prevents damage
  If your wallpaper is made from delicate materials, small particles can scratch its surface, leading to unsightly marks and blemishes. Furthermore, regular cleaning allows you to notice stains, small damages, or areas where the wallpaper might be peeling. Early detection, followed by a timely repair, is the best way to ensure a long life for your wall décor!

How often should I clean my wallpaper?

Probably the most common question I get asked on this topic. How often you need to clean your wallpaper depends on a range of factors, from the type of material to how dusty and busy the space is, whether you have small children or pets, etc. As a general rule, I recommend the following routine:

• Regular cleaning as a monthly ritual
  Dust has a habit of settling on vertical surfaces over time, dulling the vibrancy of the wallpaper colours. To keep it pristine I recommend dusting it on a monthly basis, using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a feather duster. Make sure to start from the top and work your way down to prevent dust from settling on previously cleaned areas. Alternatively, you can also use your vacuum cleaner at a low setting with a soft brush attachment.
• Seasonal deep-clean
  As time passes, airborne particles of grease and grime accumulate on all surfaces, including those of your wallpaper. Hands touching the surface, children and pets leaving smudges also contribute to the creation of a thin layer of dirt that cannot be removed with a simple feather duster. For this reason, I always suggest to deep cleanse the wallpaper once per season. If your wallpaper is washable, you can use a solution of warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid and gently wipe the dirt away with a clean cloth. It is also a good chance to take a closer look at your wall and see if there are small stains or issues that you hadn’t yet noticed.

What do I need to clean my wallpaper?

Cleaning your wallpaper doesn’t require special tools; most of what you need is very likely already part of your toolset. Here’s what I recommend:

For regular cleaning or dusting:

• A soft microfibre cloth
• A feather duster
• A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment

For deep-cleaning washable wallpaper:

• A free-standing ladder
• A soft microfibre cloth or a clean sponge
• A bucket
• Washing-up liquid or a mild detergent (make sure it doesn’t contain any bleaching agent)
• Plastic sheets to cover furniture and floor

How to deep-clean all washable wallpapers

Thanks to their resistance to water, all wallpaper classified as “washable” by the manufacturer (always know what type of wallpaper you have to avoid damage) can be deep cleaned using the following method:

1. Line the floor and cover furniture with a plastic sheet to avoid spillages.
2. Remove any cobwebs or visible dirt with a dry cloth or towel.
3. Now fill your bucket with lukewarm water and add a small amount of soap or clear, mild detergent. Make sure it doesn’t contain any bleaching agent!
4. Dip your microfibre cloth or sponge into the bucket and wring it out well, so that it is just damp.
5. Start to gently wipe your wallpaper, working your way from the top of the wall downwards. Move from side to side, rinsing and wringing out your cloth often, as you don’t want to just be moving dirt around.
6. Once you are done, carefully blot away any excess moisture and then allow the wall to air- dry.

How do I keep non-woven wallpaper clean?

Non-woven wallpaper, the most popular wall décor material of the last few years, is also one of the easiest to take care of. To keep non-woven wallpaper clean, you can gently wipe it using a soft brush or a microfibre cloth. In high-traffic areas where dust accumulates quickly, I recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Set the vacuum on low suction to prevent the wallpaper from getting damaged, and vacuum the entire surface systematically, starting from the top and working your way down.

How do I keep my vinyl wallpaper clean?

Thanks to is washability and durability, vinyl wallpaper is often used in humid rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. Moist air moves grime around much more quickly, while cooking in the kitchen results in all sorts of spills and stains. Make it a habit to regularly clean your vinyl wallpaper with a microfibre cloth to avoid dust build-up and wipe away any sign of accumulated grime or stains with a slightly damp cloth dipped in a mild soap solution. Never scrub the surface unless your wallpaper is rated as “highly scrubbable” by the manufacturer.

How do I keep my textile wallpaper clean?

Textile wallpapers looks fantastic and can add a touch of luxury to your house, but they are also very delicate and can therefore be tricky to clean. As they get easily damaged by moisture, any cleaning routine must be performed in dry conditions. The most efficient way to clean your textile wallpaper is vacuuming it, using a soft wall brush attachment. Use a ladder to reach high spots (rather than an extension): you’ll have better control and can make sure you don’t press it on the wallpaper too hard, as this can cause damage. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can use a cotton cloth, cleaning the wallpaper regularly to avoid dirt accumulation as it can cause blotches on the fabric. Alternatively, you can also use a very soft brush, gently sweeping downward from the top.

How do I keep my grass cloth, bamboo or other natural wallpapers clean?

All wallpapers made from natural components - from bamboo to grass cloth to sisal or hemp - are extremely sensitive to water. Do yourself a favour and avoid using any sort of wet cleaning solution as you are going to cause irreparable damage. These types of wallpaper should only be dusted using a very gentle brush, a microfibre cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a soft wall brush attachment. Always use a free-standing ladder and work your way from top to bottom, regularly cleaning cloth and brush to avoid just spreading the dirt around.

How do I keep my paper-based, cellulose wallpaper clean?

The grandmother of all wallpapers, cellulose was one of the most popular materials in the past and it is still commonly used. Paper-based wall décor is not water-resistant: get it damp and you risk wrinkling and discolouration. As any liquid product is off the table, you should clean your cellulose wallpaper by simply dusting it with a soft, clean cloth. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a soft wall brush, you can also use it, as long as it’s on a very low setting. Work gently from the top of the wall to the bottom, use a free-standing stepladder and keep your brush from bashing into the wall to avoid damage. If you are using a cloth, clean it regularly so that it doesn’t accumulate (and then spread) dust.

How do I keep my Peel & Stick wallpaper clean?

Thanks to the fact that you can just peel off the backing of this type of wall décor and apply it to your wall like a giant sticker, Peel & Stick models are an increasingly popular option. As they often are made of non-woven too, they can be cleaned like non-woven wallpapers: simply wipe away dust, grime or stains using a soft brush or a microfibre cloth.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel