Office cleaning brings to mind scrubbing floors and cleaning desks. But what about knowing how to clean office walls?  In commercial settings, walls can get surprisingly dirty, accumulating stains, dust, and contaminants. 

Spotless, clean office walls enhance the appearance of the space, promote a healthier work environment, and impress visitors.

In this step-by-step guide on how to clean office walls, we’ll share insider tips to getting your office walls clean and keeping them that way.

 

How to Clean Walls: Best Practices

Clean walls are a key part of an attractive, welcoming commercial space. But it’s also one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of cleaning offices.

Cleaning office walls may sound as easy as giving them a quick scrub down, but it requires the proper equipment and methods.

Here are the 7 steps we recommend for cleaning office walls:

1. Prepare the Space
2. Assess the Wall Materials
3. Gather Cleaning Supplies
4. Dust the  Surfaces
5. Tackle Any Stains
6. Overall Cleaning
7. Final Touches and Inspection

 

Step 1: Prepare the Space

The first step in cleaning office walls is site assessment. Professional cleaners are accustomed to what it takes to efficiently and effectively clean office walls.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you assess and prepare the commercial space:

• Is there bulky furniture that needs to be moved before you can access the walls to clean them?
• Can you easily clean near the ceiling or do you need ladders or extendable cleaning tools?
• Are you cleaning during normal business hours when you need to be considerate of employees and visitors?

 

Step 2: Assess the Wall Materials

One of the most important parts of cleaning office walls is paying attention to the materials the walls are made of. Using the wrong cleaning solution on a wall can damage it or permanently stain it.

Each type of wall surface requires specific cleaning methods and equipment, such as:

• Painted Walls: The majority of walls will likely be painted. Painted surfaces are the easiest to clean compared to other wall finishes. A mild detergent solution or all purpose cleaner is usually effective.

• Textured Walls: With all the crevices and the uneven surface, textured walls are notoriously difficult to clean. Stucco finishes or popcorn textured walls can easily be damaged.
  

• Wallpaper: Wallpaper is delicate and easy to damage. Take extra care to be gentle and cautious with wallpaper and avoid harsh cleaning solutions.

Along with determining the type of wall, pay attention to any stains, cracks, or damage. Cracks in the drywall or peeling paint should be addressed immediately before further damage can occur.

Before using a cleaning solution on a wall, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not damage or stain the material. Always read the label closely on cleaning products and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Step 3: Gather Cleaning Supplies

We recommend the following products and equipment for cleaning office walls:

• Soft-bristle brushes
• Microfibre cloths
• Buckets
• Sponges
• Personal safety and protective gear, such as gloves or safety glasses
• Spray bottles
• Proper signage or barriers
• Ladders or scaffolding (make sure to utilise proper safety gear and harnesses)
• Several microfibre towels
• Appropriate cleaning solutions (i.e. mild detergents, spot treatments, etc.)

 

Step 4: Dust the Surfaces

Once you’ve gathered your cleaning supplies, the first step is removing loose debris and dirt from office walls.

We prefer microfibre cloths as they are gentle on walls yet effective at removing dust. Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth to ensure you clean any loose debris and dust rather than just brushing dust off to resettle elsewhere.

Always start near the top of the wall and move downward. Extendable dusters are a convenient tool for reaching awkward corners near the ceiling.

 

Step 5: Tackle Any Stains

The next step for cleaning office walls is getting rid of any stains. If you can, identify the type of stain to determine the best spot treatment. Common stains on commercial walls include grease, ink, coffee, and dirt.

Choose the appropriate spot treatment, test it in a small area, and clean away any stains.

 

Step 6: Overall Cleaning

Starting from top to bottom, use a slightly dampened microfibre cloth and a mild detergent to wipe down the walls. Wring the cloth out well to avoid dripping or saturating the wall. Rinse the cloth frequently in a bucket of clean water. If your rinsing water gets murky, replace it with clean water.

Once the walls have been thoroughly cleaned, follow up by wiping them again with a microfibre cloth dampened with plain warm water. Last, dry the walls thoroughly with a clean microfibre towel.

Note: When possible, we recommend using eco-friendly cleaning products. At Broadway Cleaners, we’re proud to use a core line of environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions.

 

Step 7: Final Touches and Inspection

Once you’ve dusted, dealt with stains, and wiped down the walls, give the space a final inspection. Make sure the area is well lit and check for any spots or stains that were missed. If you notice areas that need further attention, spot treat as needed.

 

How to Clean Office Walls By Area

 

Office Walls

For office walls, follow these general cleaning steps:

• Prepare the space and clear away any furniture
• Wipe down walls with a damp microfibre cloth to remove dust and dirt
• Spot treat any stains
• Clean walls with a cleaning solution that is appropriate for the wall’s material
• Inspect and touch up any areas
• Wipe down walls with a dry microfibre cloth

Note: Use a glass cleaner to make sure any glass partitions are sparkling and clean.

 

Cubicle Walls

Cleaning office walls is fairly straightforward but now we’ll get into cleaning cubicle walls. With their fabric surface, cubicles can get especially dirty. The fabric texture acts as a magnet for particulates, dirt, allergens, pollen, and dust.

Guests, visitors, or staff with asthma or allergy issues may be especially sensitive to dirty cubicle walls.

As opposed to painted office walls that can be wiped down, cubicle walls require extra effort.

Here are our best tips for cleaning cubicle walls:

• Prepare the cubicle walls for cleaning by removing any items attached or hanging from the surface (i.e. pictures, calendars, sticky notes, etc.)
• Move any furniture or items away from the cubicle walls so it is easily accessible for cleaning
• Use a brush attachment and vacuum the cubicle walls, with a focus on removing as much dust and loose dirt as possible out of the fabric fibres
• Use an appropriate spot cleaner to treat any stains (look for a water-based upholstery or furniture cleaner and test it in an inconspicuous area first)
• Clean the walls using a soft-bristle brush, water, and a mild cleaning solution intended for cubicle walls
• Avoid using too much water or cleaning solution as the cubicle walls can easily get saturated with suds
• Scrub gentle using small, circular motions and working from top to bottom
• Once finished, use a clean, slightly damp towel to remove any suds
• Allow the cubicles to dry completely (we recommend pointing fans at the cubicle walls to speed up the drying process)

 

How Often Should I Clean My Office Wall?

Regular cleaning is important for keeping office walls fresh, reducing dust and dirt buildup, and preventing stains from setting in.

• Give office walls a quick dusting once a week
• Wipe up and clean any stains or spills immediately
• Give office walls a monthly deep clean, including dusting, spot treatment, and a good scrub down

Is it hard to remember the last time your office walls were thoroughly cleaned? Are you lacking the time or to regularly clean office walls?

Our commercial cleaners at Broadway Cleaning have been keeping Perth businesses, offices, and facilities clean for decades. Schedule your consultation today and find out how much time we can save you while delivering reliable, spotless results.

Do’s and Don’ts for Cleaning Office Walls

DO’s	DON’TS
DO clean office walls on a consistent basis	DON’T ignore office walls until stains are set in and dust and grime have built up
DO use eco-friendly products when possible	DON’T forget to utilise good ventilation when cleaning
DO pay attention to the material the wall is made from	DON’T use the same cleaning products on multiple wall types
DO test cleaning products on an inconspicuous area to make sure they do not cause discolouration or damage	DON’T use new cleaning products on large areas without testing them first
DO start cleaning from the top to the bottom for best results	DON’T wipe down random areas with no way to track where you’ve already cleaned
DO be especially careful when cleaning wallpaper or textured wall types	DON’T aggressively scrub stucco or popcorn-texture walls as you will likely scrub little pieces of texture off

 

Why You Should Consider Professional and Commercial Wall Cleaning Services

Clean office walls create an environment that is more attractive to employees, staff, guests, and visitors. Regular cleaning is necessary to prevent buildup and keep office walls in pristine condition.

Lacking the time or equipment to give your office the thorough cleaning it needs?

We already have the necessary cleaning products, equipment, and knowledge to leave your office spotless. Save time, enjoy a healthier office environment for employees and visitors, and attract more customers with the results of professional commercial cleaning.

You can focus on business operations, guest experiences, and increasing profits while we tackle the cleaning.

Contact us for a fast, free quote and we’d be glad to show you the difference that our professional team of expert commercial cleaners can make.