Cleaning grimy floors and table surfaces is a no-brainer — but don't forget, walls get dirty too! Dust, scuff marks in high-traffic areas, and grease splatters in the kitchen are just a few of the issues lurking on walls. The paint finish will determine how easy or difficult cleaning your walls will be, and flat paint is by far the trickiest.
We spoke to cleaning experts Lori Williamson and Heather Brewster to get their advice on how to clean walls with flat paint without damaging the finish. Believe it or not, cleaning flat paint walls the wrong way can actually make them look worse.
What Is Flat Paint?

When you choose a paint color, you also must select a sheen. Paint sheen ranges from low-shine, like flat, matte and eggshell, to high-shine, like semi-gloss and high gloss. Flat paint has a dull finish that does not reflect light at all, resulting in no sheen. The lack of sheen means that flat paint is great for hiding imperfections and creating a flawless surface. It's most commonly used on ceilings and low-traffic areas.
Why is flat paint hard to clean?

Unlike satin or semi-gloss paint, flat paint does not easily wipe clean. The no-sheen finish is more susceptible to marks and does not stand up well to scrubbing. "Flat paint has a matte finish. As a result, it's often easier to see dirt and stains," says Williamson, "Typically, when cleaning walls, we might choose to scrub with a sponge and all-purpose cleaner, however with flat paint, that can cause the paint to rub off and damage the wall."
Cleaning your flat paint walls is not impossible though, the key to is to be gentle. Check out the step-by-step process ahead.


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