Have you ever been surprised by how different a wall looks after removing a hanging frame? At Picture Hang Solutions, we know from years of specializing in picture hanging that the spot where a frame used to hang can speak volumes (especially if you haven’t concerned yourself with the rudiments of how to clean a wall!). When you remove a hanging frame and see a stark contrast in brightness, it might be time to consider washing or repainting your walls.
Despite all the glamor of interior design and gallery walls, there’s an often-overlooked aspect: aftercare. Granted, not everyone will think about that until it’s time to redecorate or move out. When you take down that picture frame, you might encounter discoloration, mold, dust, and a glaring hole where the nail used to be.
But fear not! Like your picture-hanging fairy godparents, we’re here to help you throughout the whole journey, especially the aftermath. In this guide, you will learn how to clean a wall, how to fill nail holes, and get that wall back to its original state.
Step 1: How to Clean a Wall
Whether you need to repaint the wall or fix any cracks or holes, it will need a good washing first. You need to start with a clean base free of dust, cobwebs, and molds. Make sure you’ve set aside a good chunk of your day to this, as it can get messy and time-consuming!
You will need:
1. Take down all picture frames and other wall decorations first.
2. Move all the furniture away from the wall and to the center of the room. In case you encounter any streaking from the cleaning solution, put down some waterproof tarps on the floor.
3. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to wipe the wall and remove any dust.
4. Make your cleaning solution in a spray bottle by mixing the vinegar or surface cleaner with water.
5. Test the solution in an inconspicuous area first to check if you need to adjust the concentration.
6. Once satisfied, spray the solution on the wall and use the sponge to wipe it in gentle circular motions. Avoid oversaturating the wall by spraying and wiping in a specific area rather than spraying it randomly all over.
7. For stubborn stains and corners, use the toothbrush and use it with the same circular motions.
8. Let it dry completely.
Step 2: How to Repair a Hole in Drywall and Wood Panel Walls
Before you decide on repainting your wall, check if there are any areas that might need some wall TLC. Maybe there’s an extra hole from a drilling mishap, or maybe you’ve decided not to hang anything back in that spot. In any case, we can proceed to the next part: how to repair small holes in drywall and wood panels.
You will need:
Though similar in application, different wall materials will require different patching compounds or nail hole filler. Drywall repair requires spackling paste (either the premixed ones or dry powders that you can mix with water), while wood walls need wood filler compounds such as wood putty. In both cases, make sure that the compounds match your wall paint or wood stain.
1. Prepare the area by lightly sanding the nail hole to smooth down its bump.
This step is crucial for both drywall and wood panels. Holes in drywall can have an outward ridge caused by the chalky gypsum being pushed out when a nail is hammered into it, while wood panel holes can have splinters around the nail.
2. Place the painter’s tape around the nail hole to protect the surrounding surface.
3. Apply a small amount of drywall spackle or wood putty on a putty knife and press it firmly into the hole and smoothing it out.
4. Scrape off the excess compound by using the putty knife. The surface should be smooth and flush with the surrounding wall. Any bump might stick out like a sore thumb.
5. Let the spackle dry completely, then lightly sand the area to remove any bumps or remaining texture.
5. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the dust from the sanding.
6. (For drywall) In case your spackle doesn't match your wall paint exactly, you can touch up the spot with matching wall paint. Use a small brush and make sure to feather the edges of the painted area to blend it seamlessly with the surrounding surface.
Bonus: Clean your frames.
Before rehanging your wall decor, you also have to make sure that you’re not putting dusty frames back on a wall that’s spic and span. Make sure to clean and wipe down the front and back of the frames first, one by one, before putting them back on the wall. You may reuse the clean microfiber cloth and old toothbrush from the first steps to clean the frames.
1. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the frame.
2. For areas that the fabric cannot reach, especially for ornate frames, use a dry toothbrush to dislodge the dust settled in the nooks and crannies.
3. Take care to use just a damp cloth when wiping. Don’t do any spraying because some artwork or prints may not take to the water very well.
4. If the frame has glass or glazing, you may only need water and a microfiber cloth. However, a glass cleaning solution will be more appropriate in more serious cases.
5. When rehanging the frame, attach rubber bumpers to all corners at the back to create gaps between the wall and the frame, preventing mold formation.
Tip: If you want to rearrange your picture frames on the wall after, check out our article:How to Hang Pictures and Art Like a Pro.
Final Thoughts
At Picture Hang Solutions, we’re all about the most mundane but crucial parts to picture hanging. After all, you can’t have the glamor without the groundwork, and learning how to repair a hole in drywall and other wall substrates is a necessary skill. We understand that the beauty of a gallery wall rests on proper preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and scrupulous aftercare.
If you encounter any more picture-hanging-related problems, check out this article: How to Fix the Most Common Picture-Hanging Problems
Happy hanging!
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