When my boys were little, I discovered a great way to spot clean my walls. Using foam bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth is gentle on the paint, yet removes dirt and grime with no rinsing required.
By grandmafudge from Laurel, MT
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a 16 year old foster son and the walls in his room are stained with I want to assume is spit. Do I need to use anything special to clean the bodily fluids from the walls?
By hookemhorns from Austin, TX
Depends. Does he have any illnesses or exposures that would be considered a pathogen? What type of surface are the walls? Painted? Paneling?
Number one, your foster son would be doing the cleaning. You aren't his maid. He is supposed to be learning from you, as well as being cared for. Have you tried warm soapy water? I wouldn't think you would need any special cleansers. You could also try one of those Mr. Clean erasers.
A cleaner containing a little ammonia, like windex, or home made windex.
We used to use it to clean bird droppings off the front door of the store
However many dish detergents say don't use with bleach, so I wouldn't use with ammonia either, unless you have real soap.
Given that he's a foster son, does he have more than usual problems? You might want to give him the solution, and gloves, and throw away all when done. Who knows what it is.
I say make him figure it out. And clean it up and apologize to you for being a pig! It is now your job to change him into and adult quickly any way you can.
Just want to suggest to you that it might not be "spit" that is on his wall.
A cleaning product used especially for body fluids should probably be used. Read labels, ask at the pharmacy, or ask your family doctor what should be used.
HE should do the cleaning. Make him wear gloves, and those clear safety-goggles. Make this a big deal! If he has to the clean walls, baseboards and floors in his room, wash the bed linens, remake his bed. It will make an impression on him.
And every time there is something on the walls. It will be time to clean again.
He might be using a "smokeless" tobacco product, and this is what he is spitting on the walls.
Just because he is a foster child doesn't allow him to do things that you wouldn't allow other family members to do. He should follow the rules that other family members follow. If you have not established any " Rules of the House," now is the time to do so. Kids complain about following rules, but rules are necessary in life.
Good luck with that! I would have him clean the walls, definitely! Non-latex gloves, safety glasses, lots of rags, and a bucket of lysol-spiked warm water... He grimed the walls, he washes the walls. Then, perhaps involve his in choosing a new color for the walls? If he helps paint, maybe he will be invested in keeping things nicer? A thought anyway.
I would also talk to your family doctor or the school counselor about this. It's not normal behavior (especially if this isn't from one episode) and they might have some insights for you. And everyone else - have some compassion. this might be this kid's 25th or 30th "home" in his life. I might be at the wallspitting stage myself if that were me!
The best cleaner for any body fluid is diluted bleach with water. Wear rubber gloves, and use old towels to wipe down the walls, then let them air dry. Dispose of the dirty towels in the garbage.
How can I clean a brick wall in my family room?
Louise from Murrysville, PA
Although you might find stuff at a hardware store, you could definitely get the right stuff from any store that deals in fire places and wood stoves. We had a new wood stove installed into the fireplace cavity and the first thing that got done was all of the brick & mortar got cleaned to looking new. Just buy a big old brush. Follow the instructions. Put down a rag sheet to catch any splashes - you will be using a brush with bristles.
My walls are painted with flat paint. I have a three year old grandchild. There are many unknown spots on the walls. The Mr. Clean sponge leaves residue and you can see every place I've tried to clean.
By Suzieq775 from Collierville, TN
Mr. Clean sponge worked well on my Sherwin Williams flat painted walls, they are ten years old. I think you're out of luck, sorry.
Chances are that you aren't seeing residue from Mr. Clean, rather, Mr. Clean is taking the flat paint right off the walls! If the walls were painted with basic "contractor's cheapo" paint, that is what will happen.
Well,This is high grade paint and less than three years old. I did not know they were using flat paint. I just picked the colors and the brand. So,If anyone hears of a good way, please let me know. Thanks, for the input.
A home occupied by smokers will collect nicotine residue on the walls and other surfaces. This is a page about cleaning nicotine (cigarette smoke) off walls.
The regular pad for the Swiffer dry floor mop is perfect for wiping down walls and ceilings, that are easily reached with the extendable handle. This is a page about using a Swiffer to clean walls and ceilings.
Kitchen fires, candles and other occurrences can leave smoke residue on your walls. This is a page about cleaning smoke off walls.
Bathrooms and other humid areas can begin to grow mold on the walls and ceilings. This is a page about removing mold from painted walls and ceiling.
This is a page about cleaning grease splatters off walls. Cooking grease is notorious for spattering all over the stove, walls, floor, and sometimes you.
This page is about cleaning cedar shower walls. Knowing the proper maintenance for a wood shower walls will keep them looking beautiful.
Care must be taken when removing scuff marks from painted and unpainted walls to prevent damage to the finish. This is a page about removing scuff marks on walls.
This is a page about cleaning unpainted plaster walls. When your unpainted plaster walls need to be cleaned there are so things to keep in mind, as the plaster is somewhat porous.
This is a page about washing walls and ceilings. An important, if not fun part, of home maintenance is washing the walls and ceilings on occasion.
This is a page about removing crayon from walls. Removing crayon from walls is something that every parent has to do at some point. Unfortunately, crayon can be pretty difficult to remove.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Tips and ideas for cleaning textured walls. Post your ideas.
