Cleaning 101

Tip # 4

Before you wash a wall, consider what it’s covered with. Avoid washing flat emulsion paint, which can be damaged by water (try a dry-cleaning sponge instead). But for gloss paint, mix 20 ounces of water and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Mist the solution on a wall section, wiping drips with a cloth. Let sit for five minutes, then rinse with a sponge dipped in lukewarm water and wrung out well.