How to Clean Walls Using Sugar Soap

Sugar soap is a popular cleaning product internationally, named for its appearance similar to sugar when in dry powder form. It is commonly used to wash walls before painting and can also rejuvenate dull-looking paint. To use it, spray the product evenly on the wall surface and wash it off to freshen up the walls. In Vietnam, you can purchase this soap from international shopping sites like Amazon (English interface) or Fado (Vietnamese interface). Additionally, there are other soaps that can serve as alternatives.

Lay down a protective tarp beneath the wall you're cleaning. You can buy plastic tarps at hardware or home improvement stores. Spread the tarp to cover the floor area beneath the wall you're cleaning. This will prevent soap and water from spilling onto the floor.

Move or cover furniture. Relocate any furniture placed near the wall to a spot where water or soap won't splash. If moving the furniture isn't possible, cover it with a plastic tarp to protect it from dirt or water.

Apply masking tape around electrical outlets. Use masking tape or painter's tape to cover electrical outlets or sockets on the wall you are about to clean. Make sure to cover all outlets located near the baseboard to prevent water from splashing into them, which could cause damage.

Dust the walls. Use a feather duster or cloth to remove dust and cobwebs from the walls. This step will make it easier to clean the walls with soap and prevent dust streaks that could be difficult to wipe away.

Remove stains with a baking soda solution. Mix baking soda with water in a 1:1 ratio. Apply the mixture with your fingers or a clean cloth to any stains or spots on the wall. Scrub the area with a clean cloth until the stain is no longer visible.

• The baking soda solution is safe to use on any paint color without damaging or fading the paint.

Wear protective gear. Before starting to clean the walls with sugar soap, you should wear safety goggles, rubber gloves, and a mask. These protective items will help prevent soap from coming into contact with your eyes or skin.

Prepare the sugar soap solution. Pour warm water into a spray bottle, then add the recommended amount of sugar soap as indicated on the label. If you don't have sugar soap, you can dilute regular soap in water at a 1:3 ratio. Stir until the soap is completely dissolved.

• If you want a deeper clean, you can add more soap.

Spray the soap solution on the walls. Start spraying from the top of the wall, applying the soapy water in small sections. Allow the solution to sit for 30 to 60 seconds to soak in. Afterward, wipe it off with a clean cloth or sponge.

• Leave the soapy water on the wall longer in areas with heavy dirt buildup.

Work your way down. Continue spraying the soapy water in small sections until you reach the base of the wall. Focus more on the middle section of the wall as it is typically the dirtiest. After applying the soap solution to an area, let it sit for a while, then use a sponge to wipe off or absorb the dirty soapy water.

Wipe the wall with a damp sponge. Fill a bucket or container with clean, warm water, then dip the sponge into it and wring out the excess. Begin wiping from the top of the wall in small sections to remove soap and dirt. Continue this process in sections until you reach the floor.

• After cleaning one small section, rinse the sponge in the bucket to prevent dirt from transferring to other areas of the wall.

Dry the walls. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe or blot the walls dry. While wiping, make sure to check the cloth for dirt. If it becomes dirty, clean that section of the wall again with soap or sugar soap.