How to remove dirt from vinyl wallpaper and can it be washed?

Vinyl wallpapers are gradually replacing paper counterparts from the market. Dense multi-layer coating is more stable and durable, and better withstands external influences. For this reason, you can wash vinyl wallpaper if you do it competently and carefully. Here, as in any other cleaning process, there are nuances and pitfalls. Yes, vinyl wallpapers are also different, and each subtype has its own unique characteristics. While some of them can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and chemicals, others can only be cleaned with a slightly dampened cloth and soapy water.

Washing wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper consists of several layers.

The bottom layer is made of paper or non-woven fabric.
The surface layer is actually vinyl.

The protective coating allows less moisture to pass through. But although such wallpaper can be washed, this process must be treated with care. It's important not to overdo it. The fact that the coating is moisture-resistant does not mean that you should flood the walls with water without fear of consequences - in this case, even the best material will not last long.

This is what happens if you literally “bathe” the walls instead of gently wiping them with a damp cloth:

water will penetrate under the coating, as a result the wallpaper will begin to delaminate and lag behind the wall;
If it is damp, mold will develop;
the drawing will deteriorate;
the coating is deformed, losing its original appearance.

Therefore, you need to clean vinyl wallpaper delicately.In addition, how intensively the coating can be wiped depends on its type.

Types of vinyl wallpaper

There are several types of vinyl wallpaper. Some tolerate contact with water better, others worse.

So that the buyer can figure out which roll will definitely survive cleaning, the manufacturer applies special markings to the packaging. It depicts one or more waves in a square frame. The number of waves indicates the degree of moisture resistance, the more there are, the better:

1 wave. Not very good moisture resistance. Such wallpaper can be gently wiped with a damp cloth. Moreover, manufacturers do not recommend using detergents.
2 waves – washable wallpaper. You can use detergents, but it is better not to wipe the coating too intensively.
3 waves – super washable coating. They have good moisture resistance. You can wash more intensively, but using a brush or a vacuum cleaner is not recommended.
In addition to the waves, a brush may be depicted on the packaging. This means that the wallpaper can be cleaned using a brush or vacuum cleaner.

Vinyl coverings are divided into subtypes according to other characteristics that are important to consider. In addition, not everyone has roll packaging on hand.

Wallpaper differs in surface type.

Compact vinyl coating has an even texture, so it is more resistant to external influences - both moisture and friction with a brush. They also tolerate cleaning with chemicals better. But it is better not to use aggressive detergents; instead, ordinary hand soap, easily soluble in water, is suitable.
Wallpaper fabric, which has a characteristic corrugated texture, requires delicate care. It is better to avoid brushes, vacuum cleaners and strong household chemicals.Otherwise, the surface may begin to delaminate.
Rolls with silk-screen printing tolerate moisture, but it is better to wash them carefully. In the production of such coatings, silk threads can be used, which makes the decorative layer “softer”. In this case, a soap solution and a rag are recommended.

How to clean wallpaper?

First of all, you need to carefully get rid of the layer of dust so that dirt does not flow down the wall during wet cleaning. Here you will need a dry cloth. It will be even easier to do this with a vacuum cleaner.

Then you need to make a soap solution and dip a rag in it.

After cleaning the wallpaper with a damp piece of cloth, you need to finally wipe it dry.

What other nuances need to be taken into account in order to wash the wallpaper quickly and efficiently?

If you dry the wallpaper in a draft in the room, it may begin to peel off.
You can’t dry it by heat exposure either - the surface will become wavy.
The faster the cleaning takes place, the better. The coating should be exposed to a humid environment as little as possible.
It will be good if you have a spare piece of wallpaper on hand. If something happens, you can seal the damaged piece.

When cleaning for the first time, it is better to carry out a careful test: try to wipe a small and inconspicuous area of the wall. If everything goes well, continue.

So, not all vinyl wallpaper can be washed - but this is not always necessary. Usually, careful treatment with a slightly damp cloth dipped in soapy water is sufficient.