Wondering how do you clean textured apartment walls without damaging their unique look?
It's a question many renters and homeowners ask—especially when that once-beautiful surface starts to look a little dusty. These kinds of walls can give a home a cosy, stylish vibe, but those textures are magnets for dust, pollen, and general indoor grime.
The good news? With the right tools, a bit of patience, and some human-safe cleaning products, you can get your textured apartment walls looking fresh again.
Let’s walk you through it, step by step.
How Do You Clean Textured Apartment Walls?
Here’s a simple list of supplies that’ll get the job done safely:
- A HEPA vacuum with a soft brush attachment or a microfiber duster, Swiffer Sweeper, or lint roller.
- A gentle, fragrance-free dish soap or castile soap.
- Filtered or distilled water (to avoid mineral spots).
- Two buckets—one for cleaning solution, one for rinsing.
- A microfiber cloth, soft mop, or sponge mop.
That’s it. Just a few basics and you’re ready to go.
Step 1: Spot Test First
Before you go full speed ahead, always test your cleaning solution on a hidden section of wall—just to be safe.
- Mix your cleaner (e.g., 1 tsp. gentle dish soap per 1 gallon of water).
- Dab it on a small, hidden spot (like behind a door).
- Rinse with clean water.
- Pat dry and check for any colour change or texture damage.
If everything looks fine, you're good to go. If not, dilute the cleaner further and test again.
Step 2: Dust Away the Grime
Dust is the enemy here—if you skip this step, you’re just going to leave dirt around when you start scrubbing.
Best tool?
A sealed HEPA vacuum with a brush attachment. These are great for removing fine particles and are ideal for allergy-friendly homes.
No vacuum?
A microfiber duster, Swiffer cloth, or even a lint roller can do the trick in a pinch.
Pro dusting tips:
- Start at the top (yes, the ceiling!) and work your way down.
- Use long, overlapping strokes.
- Be gentle—no scrubbing.
- Don’t forget the baseboards and corners.
Take your time here. The more dust you lift now, the easier the deep clean will be.
Step 3: Mix Your Cleaning Solution
Time to prep your buckets.
Bucket #1: Cleaning Solution
- 1 gallon of distilled or filtered water
- ¼ cup of gentle fragrance-free dish soap or castile soap if you prefer
Bucket #2: Rinse Water
- Just clean, filtered/distilled water to rinse the walls
Why distilled water?
It helps prevent streaks and mineral deposits from forming on your freshly cleaned walls.
Step 4: Wipe Gently—but Thoroughly
Now, let’s get into the fun part—cleaning! This is where you bring those walls back to life.
Here’s how to do it:
- Dip your cloth or mop into the cleaning solution.
- Wring it out well—it should be damp, not dripping.
- Start at the top of the wall and work down in sections.
- Rinse your cloth in the second bucket often to avoid spreading dirt.
- Repeat each section 2–3 times if needed.
- Switch out the rinse water once it starts looking cloudy.
If your walls are really dirty, you might need to go over them more than once. And if your cloth gets too grimy, swap it for a clean one.
Step 5: Let It All Air Dry
Once you're done wiping, there's no need to dry the walls manually unless they’re overly wet. Just open a few windows or turn on a fan to help things along.
Bonus:
Letting in some fresh air will make your whole space feel cleaner and more refreshed.
What Are Some Extra Tips for Cleaning Textured Apartment Walls?
Here are some tips that will help you to clean textured apartment walls efficiently:
- Tackle one room at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself.
- Listen to music or a podcast. It makes the time fly.
- Get others involved. It’s a good excuse to hang out while being productive.
- Schedule seasonal mini-cleans. It’ll cut down on deep cleaning time later.
If your walls are extra delicate (like some older stucco or limewash finishes), you may want to avoid water altogether and stick with dry cleaning tools or a slightly damp cloth only.
Let Perfect Clean Help You!
If you'd rather leave the hard work to the experts, Perfect Clean is here to help. Our professional cleaning services are customised to your needs, ensuring your home looks its best—without the hassle.
Visit Perfect Clean today and get your apartment sparkling clean!
Contact us today!
Conclusion
So, how do you clean textured apartment walls the easy, safe way? It’s all about going slow, being gentle, and using the right tools. Whether you’re doing a spring clean or prepping for move-out, this process will leave your walls looking refreshed—without risking damage or using harsh chemicals.
The best part? Once you’ve done it, you’ll feel like you’ve given your whole apartment a reset. And next time someone asks you, “How do you clean textured apartment walls?” you’ll have the perfect answer.
