How to deal with wall scuff marks

Below are three simple areas that need to be addressed on finding a scuffed surface and if you're hoping to deal with the problem as well as ensuring it doesn't happen again then read on for happy cleaning.

Start off gently when dealing with scuff marks

Depending on the surface, dealing with scuff marks on a wall can be just as simple as wiping them away. Carefully and gently does it, is exactly what you need to pay attention to as often over scrubbing can cause more damage than what you were originally trying to get rid of. 

Try to dry wipe first before applying a small quantity of water or cleaning spray. Never use an abrasive cloth when first making contact and always be careful not to wipe away paint, particularly water-based emulsion, or rip wallpaper through over-zealous elbow action. 

See if you can touch up or cover up the problem area

If you find that gentle wiping simply doesn't have any effect then it's time to see if you can hide those nasty scuff marks by covering them up. Original coloured paint can often be placed over the top of a scuff mark and depending on the amount of time it's been on for will do just the job.

Be aware that if a wall hasn’t been painted for some while then the original colour may have faded so you might have to weigh up the pros and cons of leaving the scuff mark rather than repainting the whole wall.

How to stop scuff marks from happening in the future

If you're living or working within part of a communal complex then you might want to find out who made the mark prior to taking on the job yourself. If it's the neighbours then they'll need to be notified, if it’s the kids then maybe losing a bit of pocket money might help them to remember to be more careful in the future. 

Builders, colleagues, or, ironically, evening cleaners, may all be responsible for a scuff mark and if you can find out who it was and what happened then you might well be able to pre-empt it occurring again in the future. 

Finally, if you want to really ensure you keep scuff clear walls for years to come then try to find a paint that is easier to wipe clean. The damage may already have been done but learning from the experience is part and parcel of keeping things spic and span.

Written by Birmingham-based cleaning company Easy Cleaners