How To Clean Wallpaper

Yes, You Can Clean Wallpaper!

Your new wallpaper is finally up, and it looks fantastic. Hooray! Your entire household loves it. Visitors rave about it, even the mail carrier noticed – so you're feeling great about your decorating skills. But life happens. You're noticing water spots or smoke stains that are keeping your new wall coverings from looking perfect. The good news? With the right care, you can keep your wallpaper looking fresh and beautiful for years. The best cleaning method depends on the type of wallpaper you’ve chosen.

Cleaning Vinyl Coated Wallpaper

Vinyl-coated wallpaper is the most durable and the easiest to clean. Simply wipe it down with a soft sponge or cloth using mild soap and water. Always start at the top and work your way down to prevent drips. Use light, circular motions instead of scrubbing to avoid streaks or watermarks. For most households, this quick routine will keep vinyl wallpaper looking brand new.

Cleaning Grasscloth Natural Texture Wallpaper

Delicate wallpapers, such as grasscloth, stringcloth, or raw silk, require a gentler approach. You may be tempted to use one of those magic eraser sponges but do not use magic eraser sponges on your wallpaper. These magic eraser sponges are actually a very fine sandpaper. That means they're literally scraping off the top layer of your wallpaper which will strip away the design.

For small stains, try a cotton swab with a mild cleaning solution. A dry-cleaning sponge is an even better choice — it lifts dirt without water and leaves no residue behind. Affordable and reusable, these sponges are perfect for maintaining natural-textured wallpaper safely.

With just a little extra care tailored to the wallpaper type, you can preserve the beauty of your walls and enjoy them as much as the day they were hung.