Sep
13
Cleaning Wallpaper
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After installing wallpaper, you can get the best of it by keeping it well-maintained. Making sure that your wallpaper is taken care of helps in retaining its colors and lengthens its life. Taking care of your wallpaper, needless to say, entails cleaning it every once in a while.
Most wallpaper manufacturers include instructions on how to clean wallpaper; they label their products as either “washable” or “scrubbable.” While most of today’s wallpapers are made of coated vinyl — which makes cleaning a tad easier — some wallpapers still require meticulous cleaning measures to ensure optimum preservation of its fabrics. The cleaning process also varies, depending on whatever stains you have on your wallpaper. If you see any spot or stain, it is best that you clean them immediately before the stain settles deep into the fabric.
If it is on kitchen wallpaper or laundry room wallpaper border, you can wipe it off immediately with a wet cloth. Wallpapers installed in high-activity and high-moisture rooms like these are more prone to stains. Majority of kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper border, and those used for children’s rooms are made of vinyl, which are more resistant to water and stains, and a lot durable than those made of paper.
It is important to remember that cleaning vinyl-based wallpaper is different from cleaning a paper-based one.
As mentioned earlier, manufacturers have a manual on how to clean wallpaper, but here are some general guidelines in keeping wallpaper spic-and-span:
For simple dust and dirt:
1. Line the floor with plastic to prevent any damage from excess water and spillage;
2. Whisk away any solid particles of dust and dirt with a brush;
3. Add a mild detergent to a bucket 2/3 full of water, enough to produce some bubbles;
4. With a sponge, dip and then squeeze out excess water and wipe the wall from top to bottom;
5. Rinse sponge constantly and repeat step 4 until the whole wall is covered;
6. With a dry towel, wipe excess moisture from the wall.
The same process can be done on kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper border, and other vinyl-based wallpaper. For stubborn stains, here’s what you need to do:
For crayons:
1. Rub Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the stained area, that alone is enough to remove any crayon spot;
2. If there is no Mr. Clean Magic Eraser around, wet a damp cloth with a mild detergent (do not use strong abrasives as they can damage the wallpaper’s fabric and colors);
3. Towel the wall dry.
For marker stains:
If the marker is washable and the stain is on vinyl-based wallpaper, like kitchen wallpaper or laundry room wallpaper border, a simple buff with a wet towel can remove the stain, otherwise, you need to do the following:
1. Clean the spot with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser;
2. If Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is not available, apply a paste made of water and baking soda to the stain and to the towel;
3. Rub the stained area GENTLY;
4. If the baking soda paste fails; apply alcohol and rub gently (Test alcohol on a spare strip of wallpaper first; alcohol can cause discoloration and major damage to most wallpapers).
Stains that have already embedded themselves into the wallpaper are hard to remove and might require the use of solvents. For your protection, always wear gloves to protect your hands.
document.write(getResources());
By: Tammy Billings
About the Author:
Most wallpaper manufacturers include instructions on how to clean wallpaper; they label their products as either “washable” or “scrubbable.” While most of today’s wallpapers are made of coated vinyl — which makes cleaning a tad easier — some wallpapers still require meticulous cleaning measures to ensure optimum preservation of its fabrics. The cleaning process also varies, depending on whatever stains you have on your wallpaper. If you see any spot or stain, it is best that you clean them immediately before the stain settles deep into the fabric.
If it is on kitchen wallpaper or laundry room wallpaper border, you can wipe it off immediately with a wet cloth. Wallpapers installed in high-activity and high-moisture rooms like these are more prone to stains. Majority of kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper border, and those used for children’s rooms are made of vinyl, which are more resistant to water and stains, and a lot durable than those made of paper.
It is important to remember that cleaning vinyl-based wallpaper is different from cleaning a paper-based one.
As mentioned earlier, manufacturers have a manual on how to clean wallpaper, but here are some general guidelines in keeping wallpaper spic-and-span:
For simple dust and dirt:
1. Line the floor with plastic to prevent any damage from excess water and spillage;
2. Whisk away any solid particles of dust and dirt with a brush;
3. Add a mild detergent to a bucket 2/3 full of water, enough to produce some bubbles;
4. With a sponge, dip and then squeeze out excess water and wipe the wall from top to bottom;
5. Rinse sponge constantly and repeat step 4 until the whole wall is covered;
6. With a dry towel, wipe excess moisture from the wall.
The same process can be done on kitchen wallpaper, laundry room wallpaper border, and other vinyl-based wallpaper. For stubborn stains, here’s what you need to do:
For crayons:
1. Rub Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the stained area, that alone is enough to remove any crayon spot;
2. If there is no Mr. Clean Magic Eraser around, wet a damp cloth with a mild detergent (do not use strong abrasives as they can damage the wallpaper’s fabric and colors);
3. Towel the wall dry.
For marker stains:
If the marker is washable and the stain is on vinyl-based wallpaper, like kitchen wallpaper or laundry room wallpaper border, a simple buff with a wet towel can remove the stain, otherwise, you need to do the following:
1. Clean the spot with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser;
2. If Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is not available, apply a paste made of water and baking soda to the stain and to the towel;
3. Rub the stained area GENTLY;
4. If the baking soda paste fails; apply alcohol and rub gently (Test alcohol on a spare strip of wallpaper first; alcohol can cause discoloration and major damage to most wallpapers).
Stains that have already embedded themselves into the wallpaper are hard to remove and might require the use of solvents. For your protection, always wear gloves to protect your hands.
document.write(getResources());
By: Tammy Billings
About the Author:
Tammy Billings is the owner of USA Wallpaper, a retailer of designer wallpaper borders and wall murals. Her knowledge of the industry, in manufacturing, installation makes her a valuable home and interior designer. With a variety of bedroom, bathroom and kitchen wallpaper designs, She put USA Wallpaper at the forefront of online wallpaper companies.
Aug
18
Picking the kind of wallpaper to use not only depends on the liking of the homeowner, but also the location where the wallpaper will be installed, the amount of human traffic, those who will frequent the area and the activities that will transpire in the room. These factors must be taken into account when redecorating walls with designer wallpaper and wallpaper borders.
Low-traffic and low-activity areas like master bedrooms, dens, and babies’ rooms may be pasted with standard wallpapers since these areas are not prone to damage or stains. However, high-traffic and high-volume areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and children’s rooms must be fitted with vinyl wallpapers and wallpaper borders, because they are easy to clean and are more durable than standard designer wallpaper.
As mentioned before, the design of the wallpaper also depends on those who frequent the area. The bedroom for instance, serves as a haven for every member of the household and for those whose room is to be wallpapered, they will most likely want to decorate their bedrooms to express their style and personality.
Teenagers are very creative — when it comes to decorating their walls, they tend to be very passionate in expressing themselves in nearly every aspect of their room be it the murals, wallpaper borders, or other wall decors. Teens typically like loud, animated wallpaper designs and murals. However, there are no exact trends in decorating a teenager’s bedroom since most of them will end up highly individualized in terms of colors and themes.
The nursery room is a peaceful place. As such, the colors and patterns of their walls should be very comforting but still exhibit vibrant, light colors. Colorful designer wallpaper, murals, and wallpaper borders that are based on nursery rhymes are a great decorative choice for nursery rooms. Do stay away from colors or pictures that are too loud for the little ones. Strike a good balance between colors and design for stimulation and comfort when choosing nursery room wallpaper.
For kitchens, the best way to enliven the walls is to use kitchen wall décor and wallpaper that match and complement each other. You can choose from a wide array of themes: country, American, contemporary, toile, and a lot more. Typical kitchen wall décor have farm or barn animals, cooking or silverware, topiaries, fruits and vegetables, flowers, clocks or jars. There are also those with French-worded recipes, Victorian motifs, lattice and other vintage-inspired designs. Faux finish designer wallpaper also goes well with kitchen counter tops. They should match the color scheme of the rest of the kitchen to create a classy kitchen look.
To give your bathroom the illusion of having a larger space, go for bathroom wallpaper that gives an airy impression. Colors like white, yellow, or any neutral colors can do the trick. A bathroom wallpaper mural placed on the largest wall also helps in making a small bathroom seem bigger. For standard bathrooms, the taffeta-themed papers are also a good choice since currently, they make up the latest wallpaper trend.
Modern wallpapers today cater to the needs and likes of every individual. If you are the kind to deviate from the norms, you can opt to hang wallpaper with fun-themed schemes in your den. Comic strip wallpaper and wallpaper borders in your kitchen can also give the place the reflection of being deviant. Wallies, a brand of wall embellishment that’s increasingly popular is also the perfect way to liven up any room. It is easy to apply and reposition, and can further personalize a room.
Walls truly play a central part of a home’s splendor. Wallpapers, if chosen well to fit harmoniously with the other fixtures in a given area, can definitely beautify the interior of an abode. The colors should match and complement each other so as to radiate that aura of beauty and style.
document.write(getResources());
By: Tammy Billings
About the Author:
Low-traffic and low-activity areas like master bedrooms, dens, and babies’ rooms may be pasted with standard wallpapers since these areas are not prone to damage or stains. However, high-traffic and high-volume areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and children’s rooms must be fitted with vinyl wallpapers and wallpaper borders, because they are easy to clean and are more durable than standard designer wallpaper.
As mentioned before, the design of the wallpaper also depends on those who frequent the area. The bedroom for instance, serves as a haven for every member of the household and for those whose room is to be wallpapered, they will most likely want to decorate their bedrooms to express their style and personality.
Teenagers are very creative — when it comes to decorating their walls, they tend to be very passionate in expressing themselves in nearly every aspect of their room be it the murals, wallpaper borders, or other wall decors. Teens typically like loud, animated wallpaper designs and murals. However, there are no exact trends in decorating a teenager’s bedroom since most of them will end up highly individualized in terms of colors and themes.
The nursery room is a peaceful place. As such, the colors and patterns of their walls should be very comforting but still exhibit vibrant, light colors. Colorful designer wallpaper, murals, and wallpaper borders that are based on nursery rhymes are a great decorative choice for nursery rooms. Do stay away from colors or pictures that are too loud for the little ones. Strike a good balance between colors and design for stimulation and comfort when choosing nursery room wallpaper.
For kitchens, the best way to enliven the walls is to use kitchen wall décor and wallpaper that match and complement each other. You can choose from a wide array of themes: country, American, contemporary, toile, and a lot more. Typical kitchen wall décor have farm or barn animals, cooking or silverware, topiaries, fruits and vegetables, flowers, clocks or jars. There are also those with French-worded recipes, Victorian motifs, lattice and other vintage-inspired designs. Faux finish designer wallpaper also goes well with kitchen counter tops. They should match the color scheme of the rest of the kitchen to create a classy kitchen look.
To give your bathroom the illusion of having a larger space, go for bathroom wallpaper that gives an airy impression. Colors like white, yellow, or any neutral colors can do the trick. A bathroom wallpaper mural placed on the largest wall also helps in making a small bathroom seem bigger. For standard bathrooms, the taffeta-themed papers are also a good choice since currently, they make up the latest wallpaper trend.
Modern wallpapers today cater to the needs and likes of every individual. If you are the kind to deviate from the norms, you can opt to hang wallpaper with fun-themed schemes in your den. Comic strip wallpaper and wallpaper borders in your kitchen can also give the place the reflection of being deviant. Wallies, a brand of wall embellishment that’s increasingly popular is also the perfect way to liven up any room. It is easy to apply and reposition, and can further personalize a room.
Walls truly play a central part of a home’s splendor. Wallpapers, if chosen well to fit harmoniously with the other fixtures in a given area, can definitely beautify the interior of an abode. The colors should match and complement each other so as to radiate that aura of beauty and style.
document.write(getResources());
By: Tammy Billings
About the Author:
Tammy Billings is the owner of USA Wallpaper, an online retailer of designer wallpaper borders and wall murals. Her knowledge of the wallpaper industry, from manufacturing to installation makes her a valuable home and interior design resource. With a variety of bedroom, bathroom and kitchen wallpaper designs, Tammy has put USA Wallpaper at the forefront of online wallpaper companies.