Ask:
I bought oil and latex paint for our house before we moved in. We were on a tightish budget, so I only painted areas that couldn't go without getting painted. There were some areas that could hold off for awhile, so we didn't touch them. Well, the previous owner used flat paint, and I have no idea how to wash it. I want to wash hand smudges, etc. off, but it doesn't want to come clean. I spent the evening washing walls and door jams, and everything is shiny clean except the areas with flat. After this experience, I really hate flat paint even more. Anyway, any tips?
Answer:
Sorry - I've not heard good things about painting flatpaint. :\ I do know you can get 'washable' flat paint now...but it sounds like that's not what they used. If you scrub too hard you can end up removing the paint.
Answer:
Would one of those Mr. Clean erasers get the smudges off?
Answer:
I'm going to try that tonight. I have some other scuffs from toys bumping the walls that I will pull it out for, so I will give it a whirl on the flat paint. I would never recommend flat paint to anyone. Ugh.
Answer:
I actually prefer flat paint for walls...that's all we've ever used, I've never had trouble cleaning it. Depending on the color, I use the Magic Clean Eraser or Fantastic (works best for me) and a sponge or rag to clean off smudges and marks. It's always worked really well for me.
Answer:
I'll give the eraser a try. So far that has worked on everything else I've ever done, so here's hoping. Thanks!!
Answer:
Unfortunately, we have flat paint, too. From the "eggshell" era. Mr. Clean can get some of it off, but it also takes off some of the paint (and the wallboard, if you keep at it). I hate to say this, sincerely, but I found that we simply have to touch it up. Which is bad for us, because first, the paint got old and discolored, and the new can shows that our walls have aged. And we are not smokers! In our case, we are going to have to repaint. I know there are some better flats out there, but our builder just used the standard Dunn Edwards stuff. Not washable.
Answer:
Try WD-40. That's what we've been using because I won't go to the store with out a list and always forget to put it on the list. HTH
Edited to add: thats what we use for crayon markswhen we just go over the WD-40 with a wet wash cloth and it comes off.