I just went to wipe a smashed mosquito off the upper wall in my kitchen (ew) and realized that the walls are not supposed to be such a dark shade of beige haha. I*'m sure its from cooking but also when we bought the house 6 years ago the previous owners might have smoked in the house because when its hot and shut up for a long time it smells a little like smoke.
So anyways, what kind of a cleaner would you use in the water to wash the walls? I am thinking or using a flat mop thing, so it may get messy, but we have to do something. Plus we want to paint someday.
I just use soap and water and a big sponge every 3 months on all of them... Kitchen spray cleaner on my kitchen walls every week or so.
Yep, TSP (Trisodium phosphate?)
I would use some lemon juice and water. It will cut the greese and get rid of the smoke odors.
I use 409.
After the walls are clean, before you paint, prime with Killz. It's a special primer that traps any odors under it. Regardless of how much you scrub, that smoke stink isn't going to go away unless you use Killz.
Just posted in your ME question. Use the Magic Eraser, if you are painting soon because you can scrub harder with it and if the paint comes off no biggie. If not, use a rag and some everyday kitchen grease remover spray mixed with some water (like Greased lightning, 409, etc.). Should work well. Our seller was a smoker too and we wiped down the walls, primered and then painted. No smoke look or smell now. :)
TSP will remove everything and provide a good surface to paint over.
We always use Simple Green to wash the walls before painting, even walls not effected by grease or smoke. :)
Sounds like they need a good scrub. I'd try PineSol, Simple Green, Top Job, or Lestoil. And a rag and a bucket. And elbow grease. IMO, what you're describing isn't going to be "mopped" away. Good luck!
I always just use dish soap... Simple Green works well too
My husband sprays that foaming bath spray on the walls to clean them before painting, it works well.. the one with "scrubbing bubbles" or however that commercial goes. It cuts nicotine and light grease pretty well.
