How to Clean a Ceiling

The task of cleaning a ceiling is a tough chore depending on the type of stains you have. Smoke stains from candles and cigarettes are most common. Also kitchen ceilings and vents can be other areas of accumulation. If you have a textured ceiling, it makes the chore much more difficult. The best course of action is prevention. Use soy candles and smoke outside whenever possible.

If you have a non-textured ceiling, you can simply wipe it down with a cleaning solution and repaint if necessary. Put a splash of either vinegar or bleach into a cleaning bucket. Bleach is the recommended cleaner if you have really tough stains such as soot or heavy smoke. Whichever one you choose, you will need only a small amount. Use about one tablespoon per gallon.

Take a broom and sweep the entire ceiling for cob webs. You may also use a vacuum cleaner. Removing cob webs will make it much easier to use a wet mop on the ceiling. After you have removed all the cob webs, take your mop and soak it in the solution. Begin scrubbing the ceiling with the mop. A foam mop is recommended for this step. After you have mopped you may notice that there are still marks on the ceiling. Your only option in removing those stains is to repaint the affected area. If the stain is especially bad, you may want to use a primer/sealer such as Kilz to prevent bleed through.

For textured ceilings, you need to take more precautions. Water has a tendency to melt away the texture when it comes in contact. Also some older popcorn ceilings contain asbestos which is cancerous and harmful to your health. If this is the case, your best option is to remove the texture altogether. You may want to remove it anyway depending on how dirty it is. If you want to retain your ceiling texture, remove all cobwebs using a broom or vacuum. If you use a broom, be sure to use gentle strokes. Since you cannot use water or a cleaning solution, your only option is to use a primer/sealer to paint over stained areas. There are certain products that will allow you to spray paint the ceiling.

Bleach is the recommended cleaner if you have really tough stains