Ceilings are clean most of the time, but they can get dusty or dirty over time. If you notice dirt, dust, or spots on your ceiling, it’s easy to clean it with what you have available in your home. Here are some steps you can take to clean your ceiling well and keep it looking great all year round.
The Easiest Way to Clean Your Ceiling
- To remove dust and spiders, use a long-handled duster.
- Soft bristle tools can be used to sweep dust from textured ceilings and popcorn ceilings.
- Use a spray bottle to spray a mixture of vinegar and detergent onto a flat ceiling.
- Wipe off the cleaner with a damp paint brush.
- Dry the ceiling with a dry microfiber mop or rag.
How to Clean a Smooth Ceiling?
Using a Long-handled Duster to Clean the Ceiling
The longer the handle of the duster, the better so that you can reach the ceiling. Blow the duster back and forth across the ceiling to remove all dust and cobwebs.
Be sure to dust your roof before using a liquid cleaner. This way, you won’t spread dust and dirt around.
You can even use a duster with a dry pad to clean the ceiling if needed. If you can’t reach the ceiling, you can stand on a ladder.
Mixing Vinegar and Detergent to Make a Cleaner
In a bowl, combine 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of dishwashing liquid, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of white vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with these liquids and shake vigorously to mix well.
You can use any all-purpose cleaner to clean the ceiling. Homemade solutions are less likely to damage paint, tile, trim, and other surfaces.
Spray the Cleaner All over the Ceiling with a Spray Bottle
Use a spray can to mist the entire ceiling. You’ll be able to tell if it doesn’t cover it completely because there will be spots on the ceiling.
Avoid spraying too much cleaner on the ceiling lest it drips downward. Also, lay down a mat or tarp to protect the floor while you clean.
You can also spray the cleaner directly onto a cloth mop and then use the cloth mop to clean the ceiling.
Scrubbing Cleaner from the Ceiling with a Wet Paint Brush
Wet a large paint brush with water and roll it across the ceiling. Make sure you wipe up any vinegar and cleaner solution sprayed on the ceiling.
Dry the Ceiling with a Clean Cloth or Dry Mop
At that time, after you have cleaned the cleaner from the ceiling with the roller, use a clean cloth to dry the ceiling. This way the cloth will absorb any excess water or cleaning solution.
Make sure the ceiling is clean before you dry it. Otherwise, there may be more dirt on the ceiling.
If you can’t reach the roof, you can use a paint roller or a microfiber mop with a long handle. If you tie the roller to a broom handle, you can reach it.
How to Clean a Textured or Popcorn Ceiling
Remove Surface Dust and Cobwebs with a Duster
Use a lightweight duster with a long handle that can reach the ceiling. When cleaning the ceiling, move the duster back and forth across the entire surface. Remove as much dust and other things from the ceiling as possible.
If the ceiling is dirty, it may mean you need to clean or remove dust from the brush. To really clean your duster well, vacuum it a couple of times while cleaning the ceiling.
If your duster has a microfiber adapter, it will pick up more dust and cause less damage to the ceiling.
If the ceiling is textured, do not clean it with water or liquid cleaners as they may damage the ceiling surface forever.
Deep Cleaning the Ceiling with a Soft-bristle Vacuum Cleaner
Use a tool with bristles to clean easily scratched surfaces. If you can, lengthen the hose of the cleaner so you can reach it. To clean the ceiling, simply use the vacuum along the surface of the ceiling.
Pay attention to corners, where crown molding meets the ceiling and areas around vents. Don’t forget to vacuum the floor when you’re done cleaning, as you may have gotten some dust off.
Use a Dry Microfiber Cloth to Clean very Dirty Areas
If some areas on the ceiling are really dirty, you may need to wipe them down with a dry microfiber cloth. Gently pat or wipe with the cloth.
Don’t put too much pressure on the ceiling to avoid scratching it. Once the step you are using is dirty you will need to replace it with a new cloth in a timely manner.
If you can’t reach the ceiling, you can put the microfiber cloth on the end of a broom or mop.
How to Remove Ceiling Stains
Removing Stains with Baking Soda
As with other stains, baking soda is very effective in removing spots from the ceiling. Make a paste of it and use it to cover the spots on the ceiling.
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of water. Then take some time to let the paste stay on the spots. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe off the paste in a circular motion.
Removing Lines and Scratches with a Melamine Magic Eraser
It may be possible to erase pencil marks or lines that look like pencil marks from the ceiling with a melamine eraser. To remove lines from the ceiling, simply rub gently with the eraser.
Removing Grease Stains with Detergent
Add 1 quart (0.95 liters) of warm water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of dishwashing liquid to a spray bottle, making sure the solution is well mixed. Then, apply a thin layer of the solution to the greasy part of the ceiling. Wipe the detergent water from the ceiling with a sponge and leave it to dry overnight.
You can use this cleaning method on ceilings above kitchen stoves or ovens.
Using Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to Remove Grease Marks
Add ½ cup (grams) of trisodium phosphate to 2 gallons (7.6 liters) of hot water and mix them together. Wear cleaning gloves, and soak a sponge in the cleaner. Gently scrub the stain to remove it. Then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
The amount of trisodium phosphate should be just enough to cover the stain so that it does not run out. Read and follow the recommendations on the TSP container provided by the manufacturer. Also, place a plastic sheet or cardboard box under the stain so that TSP does not get on the floor and damage it.
How Often Should I Clean My Ceiling?
We recommend that you clean your ceilings every four to six months.
Ceilings are not prone to dust buildup. But after a few months of use, dust and dirt can start to build up. If someone in your home has allergies or smokes indoors, clean your ceiling once a month to prevent it from becoming dirty and difficult to remove.
To Summarize
These are the common ways to clean your ceiling. When you notice a stain on your ceiling, clean it immediately with a cleaner. If you let it go, it may be harder to remove later. Then try to identify the source of the stain and fix what needs to be fixed.
