Free House Repair Tutorials - Clean Soot off Your Walls

Increased use of wood stoves and fireplaces and some return to coal stoves, may result in increased deposits of smoky, sooty soil on walls, and ceilings near the stoves. This soil is greasy, and therefore an alkaline cleaner works best to remove it. A stronger solution is usually needed than for normal soil, but too strong a solution can damage the wall finish.

On painted walls and woodwork, a solution of one tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in 1 gallon warm water, applied with a sponge should remove this soil. Rinse well with a sponge dipped in clear water. Wiping off excess water with absorbent cotton rags (which can be laundered and reused many times) leaves the surface cleaner. Change washing and rinse waters often.

If this solution does not remove the sooty soil, a little more TSP can be added but try not to get much more than 2 tablespoonsful per gallon. Too much TSP will dull the surface of paint, or actually remove paint. TSP is sold in paint stores used by professional painters, and is actually used in stronger concentrations to remove paint or dull the surface gloss of enamel before repainting.

Alkalis that may be added to warm water for removing these greasy soil deposits include ammonia, washing soda, and laundry detergent (low sudsing types are easiest to rinse off). Try a small amount first, and only increase the concentration if the soil is stubborn, remembering too strong a solution will remove some paint. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.

Avoid spilling on other surfaces in the room and wipe up promptly if spills do occur. Cleaning off such soil is best done as an annual chore, in late spring, after the heating season is ended. Then walls will stay clean longer.

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