Scuffs, marks and stains on the walls? Try removing them with these simple home remedies

Without a doubt, walls are amongst the surfaces in our homes that are most easily prone to marking and staining: all it takes is a shoe or a piece of furniture that accidentally bumps up against them, a "creative" child with their markers or colored pencils, liquids hit the floor and splashing onto the walls and countless other scenarios. Over time, our walls can start to look quite shabby and in need of a good clean.

In most cases, a simple microfiber cloth moistened with water and rubbed over the walls can be a sufficient solution. But there are times when marks on the walls are not as simple to treat. That said, there are ways to remove stubborn stains and marks from walls.

Let's find out how to do this effectively:

Soap and water for scuff-free walls

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Whatever cleaning operation you need to carry out, it is always a good idea to start by removing surface dust and loose dirt: use a broom or a brush covered with a damp microfibre cloth to trap the dust.

Once this is done, prepare a solution of warm water and a few drops of soap; you can use Marseille soap or an eco-friendly, delicate dishwashing detergent (to act as a degreaser). Dip a microfiber cloth or soft sponge into this solution and rub on the stains and marks. Be careful not to use a wet sponge or cloth which could water-stain the wall. Leave to act for about 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water; wait until the treated area is completely dry and if the stain/mark is not completely removed, repeat this operation.

Other remedies to remove stains and marks from walls

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If the above method doesn't work, you can try other useful remedies:

• If the stain to be removed is oily, you can use white vinegar: mix it with an equal quantity of warm water and apply it to the stain with a cloth or soft sponge;
• If your wall has a glossy finish, try using a steam iron and avoid using any aggressive chemicals: place an absorbent cloth on the stain to be treated and place the hot iron on this to pick up the stain on the cloth;
• Erasers for cleaning walls: a good product for removing stains and marks from walls are special cleaning erasers (aka Magic Erasers); moisten the rubber in water and rub it gently over your wall so as not to risk damaging it. Try testing on a small, inconspicuous spot first to make sure this method is safe on your wall.

And if none of these remedies work, go get a brush and some paint!