How to Remove Stains and Scratches from Walls Without Damaging the Surface

Are stubborn marks, greasy fingerprints, or children's pencil scribbles on your walls starting to bother you? With a few simple steps, you can remove them safely and, if needed, make a minor touch-up. Here's a clear, practical guide for Estonian homeowners, renters, landlords, and property managers.

Start right: identification costs less than repairs

Before cleaning, clarify two things: what finish is on the wall and what type of stain or damage it is. The most common finishes are matte, semi-matte and gloss latex, lime plaster, decorative plaster, wallpaper, and tile. If you know what you're dealing with, you'll avoid overly harsh chemicals or abrasives that leave shiny spots or rub off the paint.

Stains generally fall into three categories: dry dirt (scuff marks, rubber marks), water-soluble dirt (food, drinks, sugary solutions), and oil/wax-based dirt (kitchen grease, candle wax, crayon, marker). Scratches can be surface-level (within the paint layer) or deeper (bare plaster/gypsum).

Safety and preparation

Turn off nearby lights, cover the floor with a cloth or paper, and test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area. Wear gloves, ventilate the room, and work from bottom to top or left to right so you can see your progress. When cleaning plaster or lime surfaces, use minimal water; matte latex paint is sensitive to vigorous scrubbing.

Helpful tools and materials

Microfiber cloths, soft brush, warm water, gentle dish soap, baking soda paste (baking soda + water), white eraser or melamine sponge (very carefully), isopropanol (diluted on glossy surfaces), white vinegar (diluted), a knife/scraper for wax removal, spackling paste, fine sandpaper (240–400), primer, matching paint tone, fine roller, and brush. Keep a small bucket and clean dry cloths on hand.

Common stains and safe removal methods

Scuff marks and footprints

Start with a dry microfiber cloth using circular motions. If the mark persists, try a white eraser. A melamine sponge works, but use it gently and without pressure, as it's micro-abrasive and can create shine on matte surfaces. After cleaning, dab the area with a clean damp cloth.

Grease and fingerprints (especially in kitchens and around light switches)

Mix a drop of gentle dish soap with warm water. Dampen a cloth, wring it dry, and dab the stain—don't rub. Rinse with clean water by dabbing, and dry. If the stain is stubborn, increase the soap concentration, not the pressure. On matte paint, don't scrub back and forth; work with short dabbing motions.

Food and drink stains (coffee, soda, tomato sauce)

Act quickly. Dab with a damp cloth to dissolve sugars. For follow-up cleaning, use dilute soapy water. Tomato and curry can leave pigment stains; if discoloration remains, consider a light touch-up with a small roller (see below).

Pencil, wax, and marker

Graphite pencil marks come off with an eraser. Colored pencil and candle wax: gently scrape off excess with a plastic scraper, cover remaining marks with baking soda paste, let it sit, and wipe. For persistent marker marks, try a drop of isopropanol on a microfiber cloth on glossy surfaces; on matte paint, always test in a hidden corner first, as solvent can lighten the tone.

Nicotine and yellowing stains

Clean through multiple rounds of dilute soapy water followed by rinsing. If yellowing doesn't fade, you'll need a stain-blocking primer and matching paint (see "Paint Touch-ups").

Mold spots in bathrooms or cold corners

For surface-level black mold, clean, dry, and improve ventilation. Find detailed instructions in our article "mold removal", which also has practical tips on how to prevent mold in bathrooms. For persistent or deep damage, consult a specialist.

Water stains and rings

First, eliminate the moisture source. Then clean with vinegar water. If a ring or tint-like shadow remains, seal the area with a stain-blocking or shellac primer and paint over it.

Scratches and minor repairs

Surface-level scuffs in the paint often disappear with a dry microfiber cloth or light soapy water. If a shiny abrasion mark remains on matte paint, it's wise to do a spot touch-up with the same sheen level paint.

Surface scratches in paint: gently dull the scratch edges with very fine 400-grit sandpaper, remove dust with a damp cloth, prime any light spots that show through, and apply two thin coats of paint. Work with a small foam or microfiber roller, and finish by "feathering" the edges with a dry roller to blend the transition.

Deeper gouges in gypsum or plaster: clean out loose dust, apply spackling paste in two thin coats 6–10 cm wider than the defect, let dry, sand smooth with 240–320 grit, prime, and paint.

Corner guards or trim moldings may need acrylic caulk repair before painting.

Wallpaper scratches: if you have a spare roll, cut out a patch matching the pattern and glue it with wallpaper adhesive; otherwise, use tinted repair paste and a very fine brush to optically "close" the pattern. Vinyl wallpaper can be cleaned with gentle soapy water; paper or textile wallpaper should be cleaned only dry or minimally damp.

Paint touch-ups and color accuracy

To make the patch invisible, select the same manufacturer's tone and sheen level. Lighting affects perceived color; do a test spot and let it dry for at least 2–4 hours before making a final decision. For small blemishes, use the "feathering" technique: roll paint over the defect, then blend the edge with a barely-loaded dry roller over a 10–20 cm radius.

On glossy surfaces, consider repainting an entire wall section (e.g., corner, wall between doors), as a repair may show against the sheen. For nicotine, water stains, or marker residue, use a stain-blocking primer before paint so the discoloration doesn't bleed through.

Special surfaces and careful techniques

Matte latex is sensitive to vigorous scrubbing; use dabbing and dilute solutions. Semi-matte and glossy are more washable, but vigorous scrubbing can create a "cleaning shine." Lime plaster and decorative plaster tolerate little water; clean dry or per manufacturer instructions. Microcement and tiled walls need pH-neutral cleaners. Always test a chemical on a hidden spot first.

Prevention: keeping walls clean longer

Choose washable paints for kitchens and hallways, install door stoppers and felt pads on furniture, cover the wall near a dining table with washable paint or a backsplash panel, and use chalkboard paint or marker board paint in children's rooms. Clean high-traffic areas once a month with gentle soapy water and dry them so dirt doesn't set in.

In damp rooms, keep ventilation running and clean vents regularly; you'll also find help in our article on "cleaning", which helps organize household tasks in a logical sequence.

Renting and moving out: practices that keep relationships good

On move-in and move-out, document wall condition with photos. Minor cleaning and spot repairs are typically the tenant's responsibility; discuss larger damage with the landlord early. If a building or apartment complex needs broader updates, the homeowners' association may benefit from evaluating funding options – check possibilities on the "apartment renovation loan" page.

Need a bigger refresh or looking for a new home?

If you've prepared your home for sale and want to attract more interest, list it on Kinnisvara24 – our portal makes it easy to search and filter "apartments for sale" and you'll reach the right audience. If you're looking for new opportunities, explore "new developments" or conduct a focused "apartment purchase" search.

Professional support for selling or renting is available through "broker search". And if your next home might be a ready-made solution, explore our selection of "factory-built homes".

Clean and well-maintained walls make a great impression both when living at home and when selling property. Start with small repairs today – by tomorrow, your walls will look fresher.