Wallcovering Basics.
Care and Maintenance.
As with any quality product, proper care and maintenance will extend the life of the vinyl wallcovering and help keep its original beauty and finish.
The following general cleaning instructions will serve as guidelines for normal cleaning maintenance while the special conditions section serves as a guide for specific cleaning challenges.
Stains should be removed quickly to prevent any possible reaction between the staining agent and the wallcovering. It is especially imperative to remove agents containing color or solvents, such as ballpoint pen, lipstick, oil, hair coloring and some foodstuffs. If the soils remain on the wallcovering surface too long, permanent discoloration may develop. Always rinse a wallcovering surface after cleaning to remove cleaning agents.
Links to Main Topics
General Instructions
Special Conditions
Patching and Repairing
Adhesive Removal
General Instructions
Day-to-Day Soil
Remove ordinary household dirt or smudges with a mild soap, warm water, and if needed, a hard bristle brush to remove dirt from the embossed texture. Always work with a wet surface to the wallcovering. Clean from the bottom of wall upward to prevent streaking. Rinse with clean water from the top down with a sponge. Deeply textured wallcovering needs extra attention in case suds or loose dirt lodges in the depressed surface. When cleaning is completed, rinse the wall with clean water to remove any residual cleaner. Many cleaners will deteriorate with time to leave an amber stain on the wallcovering surface. Dry the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth or towel with a blotting action rather than rubbing. Rubbing wallcovering with a dry towel my cause the surface to burnish or become shiny.
Difficult Surface Stains
For a more difficult surface stain, use a stronger detergent according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
OMNOVA does not recommend the use of any steel wool or powdered abrasive cleaners as they mar the surface leaving an undesirable appearance. DO NOT use active solvent-type cleaning preparations, such as nail polish remover, tar and bug removers, etc., because they will remove the surface paint and/or wallcovering’s protective finish.
Back to top
Special Conditions
Lacquer and Shellac
Remove IMMEDIATELY with a dry cloth; take care not to spread the stain. Wipe clean with rubbing alcohol or perchlorethylene (technical grade). Rinse with clean water.
Ballpoint Pen Ink
Remove IMMEDIATELY using a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Tar and Asphalt
Remove IMMEDIATELY using a cloth dampened with kerosene or cleaning naphtha. Rub gently from the outside edge of the stain into the center to prevent spreading the stain. Rinse with clean water.
Paint and Enamel
Remove IMMEDIATELY using a sponge or cloth dampened with turpentine, kerosene, cleaning naphtha or water as directed by the paint can label. Wash with mild soap and water, then rinse with clean water.
Chewing Gum, Grease and Shoe Polish
Scrape off as much as possible. (An ice cube rubbed on chewing gum is more effective.) Remove residue with cleaning naphtha then rinse with clean water.
Blood
Blood is not a difficult item to clean from the vinyl wallcovering; however, some cleaners used in hospitals are quite strong and should be tested prior to cleaning large areas of wall surfaces. Additionally, any surface that has had a cleaner applied to it should be rinsed with clean water to remove any of the cleaner residue. When considering wallcovering for a wall that will be washed frequently, explore the idea of applying Tedlar® to the vinyl surface.
Feces and Urine
Remove quickly with a strong soap solution. Rinse wall with clean water.
Pencil and Crayon
Scrape off excess pencil or crayon markings. Remaining marks can be removed with rubbing alcohol.
Please Note: When using cleaning solutions like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, turpentine, household bleach or kerosene, test the solution first on an inconspicuous portion of the wallcovering prior to cleaning the stain. If no adverse effect on the surface print, color or gloss occurs, proceed with treatment of the stain.
Back to top
Patching and Repairing Vinyl Wallcovering
Entire Strip Replacement
A full length strip can normally be removed from the wall surface. Once removed, follow the hanging instructions to replace a new piece.
Small Section Replacement (Inlay Method)
Small sections of wallcovering can be repaired and replaced by following these steps:
- Cut around the damaged section of the wallcovering and remove the piece.
- Repair the wall as necessary. The replacement patch should be cut larger than the removed piece.
- Apply adhesive to the patching piece.
- Apply the new patch over the cut-out area on the wall. (If the wallcovering has a design to match, select the appropriate area for the patching piece and match or overlap to the pattern on the wall.)
- Using a new cutting edge or cutting tool such as a breakaway knife blade, cut the overlap around the patching piece. A plastic or steel straight edge may help to hold the patching piece in place while cutting and will make a straighter cut. When cutting over a drywall surface, take care not to score the base wall surface.
- Remove excess pieces of trim from the wall and the patching piece.
- Use light pressure with a seam roller to join the seams.
- Press piece into place and wipe away any excess paste residue.
Back to top
Removing Vinyl Wallcovering Adhesive
Use clean, warm water to remove excess adhesive from the face of the wallcovering while the adhesive is still wet.
- While wet, the adhesive can easily be removed.
- Once the adhesive has dried, it can be removed with concentrated adhesive remover according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Deeply embossed patterns should be scrubbed with a stiff bristle brush and rinsed thoroughly.
Alternately, the dried adhesive can have warm water applied to it to re-wet. This may take 3 to 4 applications of water before the adhesive becomes soluble again.
Once the adhesive has been re-wetted, it can be removed with a wet cloth or a sponge. Natural sponges have proven to be superior for this type of cleaning because it absorbs water better and has a natural abrasive surface that facilitates adhesive removal.
When the adhesive is completely removed, rinse the area with clean water and blot dry with a clean cotton towel.
Do not rub dry wallcovering with a towel as burnishing may occur.
Back to top