Spring Cleaning Outside and Inside Ahh, Spring Cleaning... Trim the bushes, wash the windows, mop the floors and mop the walls! Well, not exactly, here is the situation...
About 7 years ago we put a new coat of paint on the walls and this springtime's bright sunlight pouring through the just cleaned windows shows that our walls have become dull and dingy. Accepting the fact that a new paint job is needed is one thing, getting the money for supplies and moving covered furniture all around the rooms is another. Also don't forget about painting the ceiling... my arms hurt just thinking about what that project involves.
Additionally, we have the direct and indirect impact on our environment in our house and outside in our world. The manufacturing of paint leaves a mark on the environment and also on our indoor environment. Now this Going True Green blog post is not about all the facts that are detrimental, this is about an alternative and a new solution to painting less often.
I have discovered, tested and experimented with the following that can avoid the need to paint again for many additional years.
First Fact - Walls do get dirty and will need to be wiped clean as those events occur.
Second Fact - Walls get dusty from floor to ceiling and ceilings get dusty too.
Third Fact - The first two facts make walls look dull and dingy or in the need to be painted again.
Solution, Part One - Wipe dirt spots off of walls with mild soap and water as soon as they happen.
Solution, Part Two - Try to have shades or curtains that can be drawn or closed for all the windows. Sunlight or more specifically, UV light will fade colors.
Solution, Part Three - With each Springtime cleaning use a broom stick or a swifter with a dry dusting cloth attached. Then DUST clean all the walls from floor to ceiling systematically. Methodically go over every part of the wall and I strongly suggest to remove all hanging pictures or items on mounted shelves. Then do the same to dust the ceiling.
Dust will build up on walls and ceilings making them look dull. Dusting them will bring back the brightness of the original paint job. Doing this each year should put off Part Four of this Solution to prevent painting often. However, over the years smoke from candles, oily substances from cooking and other compounds will build up on the walls and ceiling. Thus, every five to seven years we may need to do part four of this solution.
Solution, Part Four - Using the same method as in Solution Part Three, mop the walls and ceiling with a cloth damp with water. Not wet, just damp to help remove any dingy stains to the paint's color. The pole will allow us to reach every corner and clean evenly so the glow of that original paint job returns.
Yes, there will come a year that we may see the need to repaint or redecorate with different colors. Nevertheless, putting off several paint jobs over the years will always help our budget, back muscles, inside environment and our outside environment.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
About 7 years ago we put a new coat of paint on the walls and this springtime's bright sunlight pouring through the just cleaned windows shows that our walls have become dull and dingy. Accepting the fact that a new paint job is needed is one thing, getting the money for supplies and moving covered furniture all around the rooms is another. Also don't forget about painting the ceiling... my arms hurt just thinking about what that project involves.
Additionally, we have the direct and indirect impact on our environment in our house and outside in our world. The manufacturing of paint leaves a mark on the environment and also on our indoor environment. Now this Going True Green blog post is not about all the facts that are detrimental, this is about an alternative and a new solution to painting less often.
I have discovered, tested and experimented with the following that can avoid the need to paint again for many additional years.
First Fact - Walls do get dirty and will need to be wiped clean as those events occur.
Second Fact - Walls get dusty from floor to ceiling and ceilings get dusty too.
Third Fact - The first two facts make walls look dull and dingy or in the need to be painted again.
Solution, Part One - Wipe dirt spots off of walls with mild soap and water as soon as they happen.
Solution, Part Two - Try to have shades or curtains that can be drawn or closed for all the windows. Sunlight or more specifically, UV light will fade colors.
Solution, Part Three - With each Springtime cleaning use a broom stick or a swifter with a dry dusting cloth attached. Then DUST clean all the walls from floor to ceiling systematically. Methodically go over every part of the wall and I strongly suggest to remove all hanging pictures or items on mounted shelves. Then do the same to dust the ceiling.
Dust will build up on walls and ceilings making them look dull. Dusting them will bring back the brightness of the original paint job. Doing this each year should put off Part Four of this Solution to prevent painting often. However, over the years smoke from candles, oily substances from cooking and other compounds will build up on the walls and ceiling. Thus, every five to seven years we may need to do part four of this solution.
Solution, Part Four - Using the same method as in Solution Part Three, mop the walls and ceiling with a cloth damp with water. Not wet, just damp to help remove any dingy stains to the paint's color. The pole will allow us to reach every corner and clean evenly so the glow of that original paint job returns.
Yes, there will come a year that we may see the need to repaint or redecorate with different colors. Nevertheless, putting off several paint jobs over the years will always help our budget, back muscles, inside environment and our outside environment.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
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