Dry the cleaned surfaces with a towel or paper towel. Always use the minimum amount of pressure needed to remove stains and dry surfaces. This will help avoid eroding the protective paint film.

Sometimes, glossy-painted surfaces appear dull after repeated washings. To increase the shine, you can try rubbing the surface lightly with a soft cloth.

If ordinary stains are still present after washing, you can touch up affected areas with the right paint. Finally, if nothing else removes the stains, you should consider repainting the area.

Certain stains, such as permanent markers and other inks, cannot be washed off. Also, if not removed, these stains and some others may “bleed through” or be visible after painting with topcoat finishes. If such stains are present, it’s best to first apply a good-quality, stain-blocker primer paint before the topcoat.

Tips for removing stains

Crayons and non-permanent markers

☆ For stains from crayons and washable markers, use a wet sponge and a little bit of dish washing liquid, or even a heavy-duty degreaser-cleaner

☆ For difficult stains, try a bit of baking soda on a damp sponge

☆ For tough grease stains, spray the stained area with WD-40® (a mechanic’s solvent and cleaner) and gently wipe with a cloth; to remove residue, use a damp sponge with a bit of dish washing liquid, and be sure to rinse the area with water and blot it dry with a clean towel or cloth

☆ For severe stains, use Krud Kutter® (a heavy-duty degreaser and cleaner); use sparingly and rub lightly to avoid removing paint

Greasy surfaces in the kitchen

Use two ounces of household ammonia in a gallon of TSP solution. Wipe from the bottom upward in order to avoid messy streaks.

Pen or pencil marks, scuffs, and difficult grime around doorknobs, switches and light fixtures

☆ Use dish washing liquid or TSP in warm water to ordinary marks

☆ Try using baking soda on a damp cloth to remove stubborn marks

☆ For scuffs and pencil marks, try using an art-gum eraser

☆ For difficult marks, use non-gel toothpaste (which contains mild abrasive) with a damp cloth

☆ For ballpoint pen marks, spray the area with alcohol then wipe it off, or try a mixture of one tablespoon of lemon juice and a half-tablespoon of salt; use a damp rag, then gently wipe the mixture off

☆ For greasy smudges and dirt around knobs and switches, or anywhere with marks from heavy hand and finger traffic, use ordinary household spray-type cleaners (like Fantastik® or Formula 409®) with a wet rag; make sure to follow all label instructions

Permanent markers

☆ Try using specialty cleaners . These stubborn stains may not be completely removed; also be aware that any of these strong cleaners will probably remove at least some of the finish of flat-sheen paints

☆ Try careful spot-cleaning with a non-gel (abrasive) toothpaste; don’t rub too hard

☆ Also try hairspray, which works well from some ballpoint pen inks, or WD-40, which works well for crayons

Chewing gum

First hold a bag of ice against the gum in order to harden it; scrape off any excess gum using a spatula or dull-edge knife. Then use a strong cleaner like Nature’s Orange® or Krud Kutter® to remove gum residues; it’s important to follow all label instructions and use sparingly to avoid removing paint

Wax

First melt the wax by using a hair dryer or heat gun, then wipe the excess away; placing an absorbent paper towel or rag over the wax then heating with a clothes iron may also be effective; the remaining greasy residue can be removed by using a weak solution of vinegar and water

Mold and mildew

Mold and mildew are black-colored fungal growths that must be removed entirely before painting; otherwise, they may “bleed” through painted surfaces. In order to distinguish between mildew and ordinary dirt, test the area by putting a couple of drops of chlorine bleach on the area – If it’s mildew, the bleach will remove its black color within a few minutes.

To remove mildew, apply a mixture of 3:1 water-to-bleach to the stained area with a sponge or rag; when using bleach or other strong cleaners, always wear gloves and eye protection and ensure good ventilation in the work space.

When using bleach solutions over color-painted areas, always test a tiny spot first to make sure the bleach won’t cause fading of the underlying color. The bleach-water solution should be allowed to remain on the surface for at least 20 minutes, adding more solution as it dries, in order to ensure the mildew is entirely neutralized. Afterward, thoroughly rinse the area with plenty of water.

Then comes the big decision : which painting contractor ?

Before you  even call the first painter listed in GumTree , be sure you have the relevant information at hand.

1. List down exactly what you want done.

2. What is your desired time frame to have the job done?

3. What are the current challenges to getting the job done .

4. If you have floor plans , even better.

Once you have the relevant information you can start to get a quote from reputable painters.

There are all sorts of painters in town so it also boils down to what is your ultimate goal for your house  i.e. do you want it done at a high quality and fair price or cheapest price regardless?  Unless it is a really small job or you can provide exact size of areas to be painted , it may not be to your best interest to have a quote online or over the phone. Try to meet the painter personally to have an idea if you can or should work with him.

Meeting the Painting Contractor:

1. Communication:

Can you even understand each other? Did you say cream and he thought green ? Be sure the contractor you choose is a good communicator. No good going “I thought …..” . Be precise and make sure both of you are on the same page.

The Contractor should be able to state his experience, knowledge and provide some references.

2. Character:

Was he on time and of pleasant character ? You will be allowing him to for home for a few days , so be sure he is somebody you feel comfortable with. A good principle to stick by is : how he does anything is how he will do everything.

3. Licensing and Insurance:

Be sure he is a licensed painter and have the necessary insurance. In Queensland, the Building Services Authority (BSA) is a government body set up to license contractors and protect consumers against defective work. The BSA has the power to direct a contractor to rectify defects and can prosecute, fine and/or remove a contractors license banning the contractor from the building industry for a set period or for life

4. Formal quotes:

The contractor should be able to give you an estimate based on your requirements . It is good then to ask for a formal quotation , station  precisely what is included, quality and brand of materials used etc .

5. Guarantee

Does the contractor provide any warranty on the job done, free touch ups etc?

All these should also be covered in the contract.