Removing Steam Marks From Bathroom Walls

By Author: Blair Kelly
Total Articles: 4
Comment this article

Steam marks and steam stains are a common household problem when it comes to bathrooms. The main problem is that if you have a painted or wallpapered bathroom, steam marks can be one of the biggest nuisances. The main reason behind steam marks is the lack of ventilation in the bathroom. Either that or the lack of usage of ventilation. This results in steams ticking to the walls then running down them and ultimately staining them for good.

Now, marks left by water running down the walls can be extremely difficult to remove. In fact, you may find that repainting with a semi-gloss, gloss or bathroom paint may be the only way to completely fix this problem. Before you take that under consideration, however, give this one a try.

For this removal process you'll need:

-A bucket
-Clean sponges
-1 gallon of warm water
-Half a cup cup Borax
-A quarter cup of white vinegar
-One tablespoon of household ammonia

First, combine the liquid ingredients in the bucket. Before you begin the procedure, spot test the mixture on a hidden area and wipe the wall dry to test for colourfastness. ...
... If the colour doesn't change due to the cleaning solution, proceed with the process.

Now, use one of the sponges to wipe the walls with the solution. Start at the bottom and work your way up to prevent additional streaks/drips from appearing. After cleaning, use the second sponge to rinse the walls with clean water.

Tips:

To avoid excess moisture on walls in the future, make sure the room is well ventilated. Use fans, if necessary, to prevent the build-up of humidity.

The second best way to avoid steam marks in the future is to put tiles on the walls instead of paint or wallpaper. This will require some work but it will be worth it. If the tasks seems too much of a hassle for you, give your local builders a call. They tend specialize in a vast number of services, including bathroom fitting.

Before washing walls, make sure that baseboards are properly sealed with caulk at the top and on the floor so water does not infiltrate the wall system. A towel or sheet against the base of the wall can help catch excess moisture. (Be sure to remove it when you’re finished cleaning).

Streaks still there? Try "Awesome" – it works on almost anything and is available at dollar stores. Just as any cleaning product, test a small area first to ensure that it does not remove the paint or cause discolouration.