Cleaning Walls, Ceilings, & Woodwork

Division Of Student Affairs; Western Michigan University

Cleaning Tools & Supplies:

• Broom

• Cloth to cover the broom

• Two buckets of warm water Ñ one for washing, one for rinsing

• Soap or detergent

• Scouring powder

• Clean cloths for washing, rinsing and drying

• A stepladder or a strong chair

Getting Ready To Wash Walls:

Test the wallpaper, paint or wall finish to be sure it is washable. Choose a place on the wall that won't show. Wash the spot with a sudsy cloth or sponge. If the finish doesn't come off or the color change, wash the walls. If the spot fades, peels or runs, you need to decide whether to paint, wallpaper or leave the walls as they are. If they are dirty it may be best to paint them a rwith oller and waterbase paint.

Dusting Walls & Ceilings:

There are three ways to dust and brush down cob webs:

1. Use a clean dust mop. Shake the mop often to loosen dust and dirt.

2. Wrap a soft cloth around a broom, tie it on.

3. Dust with the brush attachment of your vacuum.

NOTE: Beginning in one corner, dust the ceiling. Then dust the walls from top to bottom.

Washing Walls:

1. Cover the furniture and floor with either a drop cloth or newspaper.

2. Fill two pails with warm water. Add soap or detergent to one. Make suds that "stand up." The second pail is for rinse water.

3. Set the pails on the drop cloth or newspaper.

4. Use a stepladder or step stool to stand on.

5. Wash the ceiling with a scrub brush, sponge or sponge mop with a handle.

6. Begin in one corner.

7. When one part of the ceiling is clean, rinse with clean rinse water.

8. Overlap the clean part of the ceiling when you begin to wash the next part. This prevents marks and streaks.

9. When washing walls, start at the bottom and work up to the ceiling.

10. Using a sponge, wash the wall with thick suds.

11. Rinse with clean water.

12. For faster drying wipe with a dry cloth.

Washing Woodwork:

START WITH THE BASEBOARD

1. Use thick detergent suds on a cloth or sponge.

2. Rinse with a clean sponge wrung out of a warm clean rinse water.

3. Wipe dry.