Do I have to wash my walls and ceiling . Before I paint?

  15 answers
  • Suzette Suzette on Jul 30, 2017

    Hi Patrick, It's is best if you wipe down the walls to make sure there is no dirt, or debris. I've never washed a ceiling, but probably depends on what room you're painting. If you use a paint with primer, it should be fine.


    Good luck!

  • Dfm Dfm on Jul 30, 2017

    its a good idea. Greasy finger prints etc. your paint might not adhere properly.

  • Sunny C Sunny C on Jul 30, 2017

    Hello Patrick; I personally have not ever washed down walls or ceilings before painting.

    However, If you are working in a Kitchen, I would definitely use a small bit of Dawn and water.

    I would lightly clean with a slightly damp rag, and would dry with a towel.

    I would do this a few days ahead of when I planed to paint the rooms.

    I hope that this helps you!!! Take Care!

  • 13526476 13526476 on Jul 30, 2017

    I think it is a good idea, depending on what room you are painting, if there are smokers, candles, or if there has been a long time between painting. If the walls are not washed, definitely wash around doors, light switches, etc.

  • Beth Bailey-Kewatt Beth Bailey-Kewatt on Jul 30, 2017

    I did when I painted the kitchen and bathroom, but didn't for hallway and bedrooms.

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jul 30, 2017

    I did wash my walls behind the stove and behind the kitchen sink to ensure removing grease. Other than that, no, you don't have to wash all the walls. But you do need to fill all holes and make any repairs prior to painting. Personally I prefer a true bright white on my ceilings so I use Clark Kensington's Designer White wall paint in a satin finish. Best of luck.

  • Bec7991755 Bec7991755 on Jul 30, 2017

    I haven't. Just dusted well.

  • Patrick Spafford Patrick Spafford on Jul 31, 2017

    Thank you to all who responded. Patrick

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 26, 2023

    Should not need to be washed unless you have a lot of grease on them.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 15, 2023

    I did wash them because the room was right next to the kitchen.

  • Betsy Betsy on Aug 15, 2023

    Hi Patrick: Only if they are dirty and greasy. You might want to put something like Kilz or Zinsser on before painting. If you wash your walls, wash from the bottom up as the water from going top to bottom will leave lines in the dirt all the way to the bottom of the wall, and may make the paint look a bit splotchy. Clean water won't do that :) Also, there's a ceiling paint you can buy that goes on pink or purple and stays that way for about 15 minutes so that you can see where you left off painting. Then, it turns white. This way you don't overlap or miss areas. I've used it and love it :) However, don't have a fan on while using it as it dries the paint too quickly and defeats the purpose of the changing colour:) Here are a couple of them:


    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-1-gal-Flat-Bright-White-Ceiling-Paint-and-Primer-in-One-2-Pack-260967/204805213


    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Insl-X-Color-Changing-Ceiling-Paint-1-gal-Flat-White-Interior-Paint-1005646/318456088


    Good luck

  • Dee Dee on Aug 15, 2023

    In the kitchen definitely YES. But in other rooms, take a swiffer and remove the dust, then prime and paint.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Aug 18, 2023

    I usually just take a broom or vacuum brush and go over walls and get down cob webs etc before painting

  • You should so your paint will adhere well.