How To Clean Bathroom Walls (or Any Wall) in 5 Steps

In this part of our series of articles on toilet deep cleaning, we teach you how to clean bathroom walls. Yes, you can use this knowledge and apply it for practically any other wall cleaning too! If you are keen to learn how to clean walls in general, this is for you too! As a bonus, you can also access our full range of toilet cleaning articles here:

How To Clean:

  1. The Toilet Bowl
  2. The Shower Area
  3. Toilet Sink Area
  4. Toilet Windows, Ledges, Blinds
  5. Bathroom Floor Tiles
  6. Shower Glass
  7. Shower Curtains
  8. The Bathtub
  9. Shower Drain + Unclog It
  10. Bathroom Walls
  11. Bathroom Light Fixtures and Doors
  12. Bathroom Cabinets, Shelves and Fixtures
  13. Bathroom Mirror and Vanity Area
  14. Bathroom Faucets and Taps
  15. Sink Traps / Bottle Traps

Ready to start cleaning your walls and tiles?

Why Clean Your Walls and Tiles In the Washroom

If you are reading and considering doing this cleaning of the washroom wall tiles, kudos to you! Not many people would think of this, but most walls need scrubbing and detailing too, including the toilet walls!

Thankfully, most washrooms use a similar tile material for their walls and flooring. So, to begin, get a basic understanding of how to clean bathroom tiles (on the floor) here.

It is crucial to clean the toilet walls regularly to prevent mold and mildew accumulation. This is because of the high humidity in the lavatory. By “regularly”, we mean at least once a week!

Don't neglect the walls in toilet cleaning!
Don’t neglect the walls in toilet cleaning!

Tools To Prepare For Bathroom Wall Cleaning:

Here are the tools (equipment and supplies) needed to clean your bathroom walls safely and efficiently:

Cleaning Equipment For Wall Cleaning

  1. Ladder or Stools with Sturdy/Rubber Base
  2. Gloves and Mask
  3. Basket/Pail to store items
  4. Pail of Water
  5. Microfiber Cloths
  6. Dry Wiper/Duster (to reach far corners and cover large areas)
  7. Sponges and Rags (depending on your wall size)
  8. Old Toothbrush or Suitable Brushes
  9. Wiper for Wet Cleaning (depending on your wall size)
  10. Spray Bottle

Cleaning Supplies For Wall Cleaning

  1. Dishwashing Soap
  2. Wall, Floor, Toilet or Multi-purpose Cleaner
  3. Baking Soda
  4. White Distilled Vinegar
Learn Wall Cleaning With MEIDE.SG!
Learn Wall Cleaning With MEIDE.SG!

5 Steps To Clean Bathroom Walls Effectively:

STEP 1: CLEAR THE WALL

Firstly, clear all removable items such as suction hooks, toothbrush holders, and perhaps even your hair dryer from your walls. Electrical components pose a hazard during cleaning, so always keep them aside (with dry hands) first. Stash away the loose items in a corner, or a movable basket for easy replacement later on.

STEP 2: REMOVE DUST AND DRY DEBRIS

Secondly, ensure the wall surfaces are dry. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surfaces. If your area is large, use a duster or surface wiper (eg. Magiclean Wiper) to make things easier. Remember to reach towards the corners and edges of the walls! You may also require a ladder at this point.

STEP 3: WET CLEANING OF THE WALL TILES

Thirdly, when you are done getting rid of dust and larger debris, begin the wet cleaning of wall tiles. Create a cleaning solution by mixing water with any of these:

  1. Dishwashing Soap 
  2. Floor Cleaner
  3. Special Bathroom Cleaners
  4. Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Detergent For Wall CleaningDetergent Amount For Each Litre of Water
Dishwashing Soap 5 Drops
Floor CleanerHalf Cup*
Special Bathroom CleanersHalf Cup*
Multi-Purpose CleanersHalf Cup*

*There are many different brands and types – so this is just a rough guide. Read about the different types of detergents here. It is still best to follow the detailed instructions on your detergent packaging.

Then, soak your sponge, rag, or wiper with cloth, into the solution. Begin wiping the wall surface systemically. Start from the top and wipe sideways from left to right. (or vice versa if you are left-handed). Overlap each layer by 2 to 3 inches to ensure complete coverage of the area. Start again from the top and now wipe downwards instead. Again, overlap each layer by 2 to 3 inches to ensure complete coverage of the area. Now, you are ready for the deeper cleaning (Step 4). Or, you can skip right to the end (Step 5).

STEP 4: HOW TO GET RID OF STUBBORN STAINS IN WALL TILES / GROUT CLEANING

This step is tedious and may require repeated scrubbing or brushing. If your wall tiles are already cleaned from the previous steps, you may opt to omit this step. We will teach you how to clean the grout (the line or junction in between tiles) and remove stubborn stains here!

The initial step is to apply a paste of (4:1 baking soda and water) over the area. Then, leave it to sit for approximately 10 minutes. You can apply this paste to the grout lines or stained spots. Scrub the paste for extra oomph. At this point, feel free to use any suitable brush to best dislodge stubborn scum and dirt. Wait a while more, then spray over it with white distilled vinegar. The explosive action should aid to further dislodge difficult dirt. In place of baking soda paste or vinegar, you can use pure bleach over the stubborn spots too. However, do ever not mix bleach and vinegar!

If these cheaper options do not work, try using strong commercial cleaners such as the CIF cleaning detergent, or Magiclean Stain and Mold Remover!

Disclaimer:

Remember to avoid using vinegar for marble, granite and stone tiles to avoid unsightly stains. Common materials such as wood, concrete, onyx, marble and granite are incompatible and unsuitable to be cleaned with bleach. Learn about using bleach and vinegar in detail here. Always test a small amount on a limited area first, if unsure. This helps to limit potential problems.

STEP 5: LET IT AIR DRY AND VENTILATE WELL

Finally, your tiles and wall cleaning is coming to an end. “Do I need to rinse the solution off?” You may ask. The quick and general answer is no. Most cleaners come with antibacterial properties so feel free to leave them on. Rinsing off with water also increases the surface exposure to moisture, thus leading to higher chance of mold formation.

However, there could be certain circumstances where you may want to rinse off your cleaning detergent. These instances include:

  1. Your detergent’s packaging indicate a recommendation to rinse off the solution (because as we mentioned, each different brand has their own instructions)
  2. You have used a more concentrated version to remove stubborn scum and stains
  3. You have young children or vulnerable individuals around, who may accidentally rub or touch the area (resulting in risks of accidental chemical / toxic ingestion)

At the end, remember to allow the cleaned wall to dry completely. You can use a separate dry wiper or rag to wipe down again. Additionally, open up the windows and doors to let natural ventilation in! Given the already high moisture content in the bathroom, missing this step is a grave mistake.

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Summary of Our 5-Step Wall Cleaning Hack

We, at MEIDE, hope this article has benefited you and taught you how to clean the washroom walls in 5 easy steps! In case you require, here is a quick summary again on how to clean bathroom walls:

Time needed: 59 minutes

5-Step Summary On How To Clean Bathroom Walls

  1. Clear The Walls Smartly

    Clear all removable items such as suction hooks, toothbrush holders, and perhaps even your hair dryer from your walls. Electrical components pose a hazard during cleaning, so always keep them aside (with dry hands) first. Stash away the loose items in a corner, or a movable basket for easy replacement later on.

  2. Dry Method of Cleaning Walls

    Ensure the wall surfaces are dry. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the surfaces. If your area is large, use a duster or surface wiper (eg. Magiclean Wiper) to make things easier. Remember to reach towards the corners and edges of the walls! You may also require a ladder at this point.

  3. Wet Method of Cleaning Walls

    After you are done getting rid of dust and larger debris, begin the wet cleaning of wall tiles. Create a cleaning solution by mixing water with a detergent* (*see table below). Then, soak your sponge, rag, or wiper with cloth, into the solution. Begin wiping the wall surface systemically.

    Start from the top and wipe sideways from left to right. (or vice versa if you are left-handed). Overlap each layer by 2 to 3 inches to ensure complete coverage of the area.

    Start again from the top and now wipe downwards instead. Again, overlap each layer by 2 to 3 inches to ensure complete coverage of the area. Now, you are ready for the deeper cleaning (Step 4). Or, you can skip right to the end (Step 5).

  4. Deep Cleaning of Walls and Grout

    This step is tedious and may require repeated scrubbing or brushing. If your wall tiles are already cleaned from the previous steps, you may opt to omit this step. We will teach you how to clean the grout (the line or junction in between tiles) and remove stubborn stains here!

    The initial step is to apply a paste of (4:1 baking soda and water) over the area. Then, leave it to sit for approximately 10 minutes. You can apply this paste to the grout lines or stained spots. Scrub the paste for extra oomph. At this point, feel free to use any suitable brush to best dislodge stubborn scum and dirt. Wait a while more, then spray over it with white distilled vinegar. The explosive action should aid to further dislodge difficult dirt. In place of baking soda paste or vinegar, you can use pure bleach over the stubborn spots too. However, do ever not mix bleach and vinegar!

    If these cheaper options do not work, try using strong commercial cleaners such as the CIF cleaning detergent, or Magiclean Stain and Mold Remover!

  5. Ventilate and Air Dry Your Walls

    Feel free to leave the cleaning solution without rinsing away. Rinsing off with water also increases the surface exposure to moisture, thus leading to higher chance of mold formation.

    However, there could be certain circumstances where you may want to rinse off your cleaning detergent. Learn these instances in List 1.0 ** below.

    At the end, remember to allow the cleaned wall to dry completely. You can use a separate dry wiper or rag to wipe down again. Additionally, open up the windows and doors to let natural ventilation in! Congratulations on completing your wall cleaning!

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*Table of Suitable Wall Cleaning Detergents and How Much To Use

Detergent For Wall CleaningDetergent Amount Per Litre of Water
Dishwashing Soap5 Drops
Floor CleanerHalf Cup^
Special Bathroom CleanersHalf Cup^
Multi-Purpose CleanersHalf Cup^
^There are many different brands and types – so this is just a rough guide. Read about the different types of detergents here. It is still best to follow the detailed instructions on your detergent packaging.

** List 1.0: When To Rinse Off Cleaning Solutions, Soaps or Detergents

  • Your detergent’s packaging indicate a recommendation to rinse off the solution (because as we mentioned, each different brand has their own instructions)
  • You have used a more concentrated version to remove stubborn scum and stains
  • You have young children or vulnerable individuals around, who may accidentally rub or touch the area (resulting in risks of accidental chemical / toxic ingestion)

Congratulations on reaching the end of our article on “How to clean bathroom walls?”! Before you forget, remember to check out more bathroom cleaning hacks and tips here too:

How To Clean:

  1. The Toilet Bowl
  2. The Shower Area
  3. Toilet Sink Area
  4. Toilet Windows, Ledges, Blinds
  5. Bathroom Floor Tiles
  6. Shower Glass
  7. Shower Curtains
  8. The Bathtub
  9. Shower Drain + Unclog It
  10. Bathroom Walls
  11. Bathroom Light Fixtures and Doors
  12. Bathroom Cabinets, Shelves and Fixtures
  13. Bathroom Mirror and Vanity Area
  14. Bathroom Faucets and Taps
  15. Sink Traps / Bottle Traps

Friendly bathroom cleaning experts are just a click away. Book your #1 home cleaning services today!

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meide.sg is here for you, always.