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I've read on these boards of people washing their walls, or brushing them. I've never done that, why would one wash their walls? Does it have something to do with the heating systems in your home.. gas as opposed to electric? When I was growing up we had gas but I don't remember my mom washing walls although she would paint the interior of our home every 2 or 3 years.

The only walls that I feel a need to wash (prior to painting), are in the kitchen. I certainly don't fry much, but even so, if there is any residual airborne grease on the wall surface, paint or primer will not stick well.

Others may have smokers in the home, or lots of wood fires or candle burning. These types of activities also can leave residue on wall surfaces (as well as other surfaces).

When I was growing up, our old farm house used oil stoves, and boy those could soot up the place, especially if one forgot to open the vent! In those days, DM would use fresh wall paper on the ceiling and walls every few years.

Thanks, Spanish, for asking the question. I wondered about that, too. Of course we all wash the walls in and around the kitchen at various times, but can't imagine doing any other room. Brushing the corners, etc. yes, but not washing them. We don't have any smokers here, though.

Now that I think about it, I do remember washing the walls at Mama's house a few times. She had that paneling, there was gas heat and my Dad was a smoker. Besides, it was on a farm and lots of dust came in open windows.

My mom wasn't a 'wall washer', so I never got into the habit either. For one thing, the living and bedrooms are painted with a flat finish, which doesn't wash well. About twice a year, I vacuum the walls, because they do collect dust. When the rooms get 5 o'clock shadow, they get repainted, not washed.

The kitchen has semi-gloss, and I do wash the soffit area above the stove periodically. It always amazes me how grease can build up even when frying is kept to a minimum. And the bathroom walls, also in semi-gloss, get wiped with a damp rag to remove dust and the occasional soap splatters. (DH gets carried away with his shaving brush sometimes. LOL)

Dusting the walls has been on my to do list for a couple of weeks.I changed out the bamboo blinds in the livingroom 2 wks ago.OH my the dust on the walls.We change out the air filter quiet often and we still have a very dusty home.I cant stand it.UGH!!

I really need to to wash the bathroom,kitchen & spare bedroom walls B4 I paint this spring.A lot of extra work but it needs done.One year I dusted the walls B4 painting.The paint had dust dried on the walls.

I agree with what others said.The grease,dust and soot on walls & trim.I did grow up with wood heat,parents smoked and yucky stuff.DM didnt wash the walls,us 3 DD did.LOL.Looks like the habit stuck with me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackierenette,

Anything that puts an oily substance on the wall means you should either prime or wash the wall (or both) for the best adhesion of the paint. Of course, you have to decide if the best adhesion is necessary or if good will do.

You may think if there is no smoking in the house you will not have the oily substance. Not true. Generally, anything you light with a flame puts gunk on the wall..... candles, fireplaces, those aroma things you burn.

I rarely wash or even prime a wall. Good is good enough for me.

quote:

people washing their walls, or brushing them

My mom used the duster brush when brushing wall.

I wonder if it's a geographical thing. I'm from the midwest and washing walls was common even if no one in the house smoked.

It might be regional but I think it is more of a trend. Sometime ago (well, maybe quite some time ago!) it used to be preached to wash your walls before painting. Not that many people actually did.
Now the trend is to prime before you paint instead of wash. The people I know don't do that either unless there is a specific reason like dark colors or stains.