How to clean your walls before painting

To start, use a dusting brush or cloth to remove any cobwebs, dust and loose dirt – this will ensure your paintbrush and paint stay clean and free from dirt while you apply the paint.

Mould can develop in damp and airless areas, [so it’s a good idea to make sure that your home is well ventilated.] (http://asgdlx.preview.deco-columbus.com/en/preview/five-decorating-probl...) To remove any visible mould, spray mould killer or fungicidal solution on the wall – you can buy this from most supermarkets and hardware stores. For best results, follow the directions on the packaging.

If your existing wall surface is shiny and you’re painting it matt, you’ll need to lightly sand it down using a fine-grade sandpaper. To get rid of wallpaper, we recommend you use a wallpaper remover – this contains a ‘digester’ that softens and loosens the glue. Without it, any remaining glue may discolour the paint later on.

Once you have removed any old paint or wallpaper, wash down the surfaces that you plan to paint with diluted liquid detergent and hot water. If you’re painting the kitchen, there may probably be grease on the walls, so try using a slightly stronger solution of liquid detergent. Make sure you rinse off any residues with clean water and leave the walls to dry completely before painting.