Your interior paint is something that is aesthetically pleasing and necessary for the longevity of the home. Maintaining painted walls will ensure that your home looks pristine for many years. Wear and stains are common in a home, especially on walls in common areas like the living room, bathroom, and hallways. Some extra care during cleaning or prep during the painting process can help maintain the painted walls in your home.
1- Don’t Place Furniture Against The Walls
Furniture that is placed too close to the walls can lead to scuffs and scratches. Couches, dressers, chairs, or shelves can be bumped against the walls and scuff your paint. This may not seem like a problem until you go to move the furniture or change the layout of your space. You will then need to touch up these areas so they don’t stand out in your space. Deep scuffs may also need to be filled before they can be painted, this can make the wall look textured or uneven and draw your attention to the blemish.
2- Keep A Touch-Up Kit Handy
When a scuff does happen, having a handy touch-up kit will help you repair a spot before it can worsen. A small can of your paint is necessary to have on hand especially if you have kids and pets. Having some plaster and paint on hand could save your painted wall from continuing to peel and chip over the next few days.
3- Clean Walls Often
Keeping your space clean is the best way to make it last. Your painted walls should be dusted and wiped down frequently in order to maintain the paint and limit bacteria. A layer of dust will make the paint color look dull. Moisture could lead to peeling or chipping. Maintaining them doesn’t require too much work in fact, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the walls every other week. Or use a duster to remove dust and dander from top to bottom.
4- Clean Up Spills Promptly
Any type of spill could stain your painted walls and lead to a dull color. Wiping up spills or scrubbing off scuffs will keep the paint looking brand new for longer. The longer a spill or stain sits, the harder it will be to completely remove. Timely cleaning of any painted surfaces will reduce color fading, deterioration of the paint and primer, and long-term damage to your walls.
5- Shield The Paint From The Sun
UV light from the sun can damage your paint job quickly. The sun can cause the color to fade or disappear entirely. If you want your paint to last, you will want to have blinds, curtains, or window tints to protect your painted walls. Sunlight that streams through doors, windows, or glass doors will lower the brilliance of any paint. Keeping your windows and doors from damaging your paint will keep your color and spirits bright.
6- Limit Humidity
Moisture can damage paint and lead to bacterial growth around the home. Humidity can seep into the paint and lead to bubbles, mold, or peeling spots. Painted walls in a bathroom, for example, are prone to humidity damage. Shower moisture or splashes from a bathtub can seep into small corners. Keeping the area ventilated or having a dehumidifier will help you maintain the paint job.
7- Don’t Smoke Indoors
Tobacco smoke can turn walls yellow or brown when you smoke frequently indoors. Smoking indoors can shorten the life of your paint and other home materials. Similar to other stains, greasy and smokey debris will dull the paint color and is difficult to remove when left for too long. The best way to limit damage to the paint is to limit smoking indoors so that your cleaning frequency won’t need to increase.
8- Choose Longer Lasting Paint Finishes
Some paints are known to be more durable than others. Satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss will be able to handle more scrubbing and are more humidity-resistant. Choosing these paints will make the paint color and the finish last much longer. The right paint finish will also minimize damage during cleaning. Paint finishes like satin and gloss won’t chip with slight scrubbing or wiping.
Interior Painting From American Town Painting
American Town Painting is proud to offer quality services to homeowners and businesses in Utah. Our team has been honing our skills for many years. Interior painting is just one of our specialties that can help your home look visually appealing and protect it from damage. Interior painting is a crucial finishing touch on a home of any size. Reach out to our team to schedule your next paint project!