Some young children like nothing better than to put jammy handprints on walls. To the parents of these kids, this heading may sound like a dream.

However, washable wall paint does exist, and it can come with more than just a bit of strawberry jelly and peanut butter.

Clearly, anyone who has tried to remove scuffs, or remove their young one’s latest artistic endeavors from their living room wall, will know not all paint washes clean.

According to Statista, paint and wallpaper sales amounted to around $12.73 billion in 2019. No doubt much of that is to do with home improvements. Yet, a significant part will be from individuals trying to hide marks, scuffs, and stubborn stains.

Wouldn’t it be good if you could clean your walls instead of adding to this figure by buying more paint? 

Why would you need washable wall paint?

Obviously, the main reason for washing painted walls is to keep them clean. But, the benefits of washable paint go a little deeper, a bit like the coating itself.

Some marks that happen to walls are merely annoying, and unsightly, but others are less hygienic. Stains from food and other substances are not something you want to keep. Washable paint means not only keeping a room looking clean but also hygienic.

It also means the paint will last longer, in the sense that you won’t need to cover it as often. There are many advances in the home improvement market now. There is even self-adhesive wallpaper to help home improvements go smoother.

So, it makes sense then to use washable wallpaper to save money and make less work for yourself too. 

Where can you use washable wall paint?

Interior paint is best used exactly where it says, inside. That doesn’t mean that washable wall paint has limited uses though.

There are some obvious places where washable wall paint could be very handy. The kitchen, a garage perhaps, the living room, children’s bedrooms, a playroom, and the living room. If you have a conservatory, or walled decking area, where children play, this might benefit from washable paint too.

It is unfair to blame children for all the marks walls suffer though. Anyone who has to keep their bicycle indoors may have experienced black marks from the handle grips where the bike leans on the wall. Kitchens also suffer from splatters and splashes.

There are many creative ways to improve a kitchenette, but what about practical methods? Washable wall paint seems designed for this area of the house. 

What kinds of wall paint is washable?

Traditionally, glossy paint would be seen as being the most washable. However, now there are paints in other finishes that clean just as well.

Online you will find plenty of suppliers of washable wall paint these days. If you are searching by yourself though, you need to know what to aim for.

The paint you require is known as Scrub Class 1. This matches up to the Class 1 ISO 11998 test. This means that it has undergone a certain test to prove that it is washable and long-lasting.

The test involves the paint being allowed to dry for four weeks, before being subjected to 200 scrubbing rotations. The premeasured dry paint is then checked to see how much has been lost. No more than 5 microns per 200 scrubs are allowed.

Suppliers such as PaintLoma.com recommend using simple warm water and soap on washable wall paint. This should bring about a return to the clean finish you had before someone drew on it with your lipstick. 

What to search for with washable paint

Choosing washable wall paint is much like getting any other coating for your home. Washable paint comes in a range of finishes today, so you are not restricted.

Some paints are more suitable for ceilings than others. These may prove useful for smokers who find that the tar stains the ceilings. Aside from this, there are a couple of other features you might want to watch for with washable paint.

Look for paint that is scuff resistant, and promises to repel stains.  There is no need to buy the costliest paints either. There are budget washable paints and don’t forget, regular glossy paint is normally washable itself. You might want to look for eco-friendly paint options too. 

Summary

The next few years are expected to see even more growth in the global DIY market. GlobeNewswire reports that between 2021 and 2025, the DIY market will grow by another $154 billion.

Perhaps by using tough gloss paints, and stain repellent ones, your own personal DIY bill can be reduced. While it is great to encourage creativity in a child, it might not be so desirable on that freshly painted bedroom wall.

Fortunately, paint manufacturers are wise to these issues now, and many paints are washable today.