From the page: A wall asking for a fresh start
Idea 2
Deep cleaning before painting
Any wall accumulates an invisible film of grease, dust and mold that acts like parchment paper between the paint and the support. A diluted alkaline solution, an old recipe from painters and cleaners, breaks those grease molecules into particles that water carries away — it is the same chemistry as soap, applied to masonry.
What you need
- 1 tablespoon of neutral detergent or grated coconut soap
- 1 liter of warm water
- Bucket and sponge or thick cloth
- Baking soda (for areas with mold)
- Cleaning bleach solution (strong bleach dilution) for fungi
- Gloves and a dry cloth
How to make it
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1
Mix the detergent into the warm water until it foams — warm water boosts the cleaning action, like a well-done dishwashing.
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2
Wash the wall from bottom to top: that way the drips stain areas not yet washed, and not the ones already clean.
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3
On spots with dark mold stains, apply the diluted bleach with the sponge and let it act for 10 minutes — chlorine destroys the fungi at the root, preventing them from coming back under the paint.
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4
Rinse with a damp cloth with water only, removing all soap residue; alkaline residue interferes with the paint's drying and sheen.
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5
Dry with a cloth and wait at least 24 hours before painting — a damp wall makes the paint bubble and peel later.
Finishing touches
test the drying by pressing a small piece of firm plastic against the wall; if condensation appears on the plastic, you still need to wait. A well-cleaned wall makes the paint go further and look more uniform in color.
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