How to Clean Walls

For little marks, there is a grocery-store product called the Magic Eraser by Mr.Clean. It's like a sponge and it works quite well. I've heard some press that it is made of a material dangerous to children, but I use it when they're not around and have no problems. Much better than trying to wash walls with water, which leaves streaks.

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I rent also. I clean the walls myself with the clorox or lysol wipes

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Magic Eraser.. Works Great on walls. I carry it around all day.

L.

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I use those magic erasers on EVERYTHING. Walls, counter tops, floors (tile or laminant), refrigerators, stoves, dish washers, etc...
You cannot rub too hard though or it takes the finish off of the counter tops. If it's flat paint, it works real well, but if it's semi-gloss, it takes the gloss off.
Good Luck!!

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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!!!! Walmart has generic ones, but I don't know how well they work.

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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Once you try this, you will want to buy it by the case!

T.

Edited to add: For those that think the Magic Eraser is toxic or whatever, please check out this link:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/eraser.asp

Basically, any cleaning product needs to be kept away from children. But this is no more hazardous than anything else.

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The apartment must be left in the same condition you originally rented it in. It's difficult, Im sure, to keep up with fingerprints from 3 little ones. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth for you and one for them. Reward them when they finish. Don't expect them to do as good as you, they're only children. Get a plastic shower liner (1 buck) and put it on your kitchen table. Let them color or fingerpaint or anything else messy there. When they're done have them help clean up, the table and theirselves then give them a treat for helping mommy. Wipe your plastic and put away so they learn where they can do those activities and when. You only need notify the landlord when damage has occured.
Good luck.
J. H

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Hi Laura.

As other people have mentioned, the apartment needs to be returned in the same shape, but you are allowed "normal wear and tear." I would think hand prints would be covered under this. I am a landlord and I know when I rent to someone with children that there will be hand prints (and even an inevitable crayon mark!) The longer we have a tenant, the more "wear and tear" is to be anticipated. I wouldn't say anything to the landlord about cleaning; you are entitled to clean.

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Mr clean magic eraser works great.The walmart generic kind also works great and will save you money.

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Hi Brenda,

four works mr. clean magic eraser, works wonders on walls (even painted ones) and doesn't take paint off. You don't need to scrub hard at all.

C.

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I use the magic eraser. You can get it anywhere in the cleaning isle. Just be careful that it does not take the paint off the walls. Try a small spot first. But it will take off finger prints, crayons, etc.

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Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is great for spot cleaning walls and doors. It works great on figerprints!

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Mr. CLean magic eraser is wonderful from getting off fingerprints to getting off crayons. The only thing is, DON'T let the kids you the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, it is suppose to be non-toxic but I read an article where a boy got burns from the eraser......because my children had colored on the wall, I told them, they had to help clean so I just gave them a regular sponge, so that it looked like they were helping....even though the sponge wouldn't take off the crayon.

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Whether you rent or not I think the question is whether you like to live in a lcean house or not. I don't think you need to notify the landlord when you plan on cleaning. Don't quote me on this but if I were you I would just go ahead and clean. The best thing in the world to use for walls is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Works very very good. But PLEASE take note that this has very toxic chemicals in it. Safe for adult use but definitely KEEP AWAY from children. It takes away finger prints, scuff marks... anything! I love this product and I 've used it a lot. I've never had any problems with it but I have heard about it being toxic for children. So use it wisely.

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Don't tell your landlord until you know you have to. First try to clean them; I was conviced we needed to repaint, but a friend of mine who runs an art gallery and used to work at a museum recommended Mr. Clean magic erasers. The generic ones at Target or CVS work just as well. It is amazing how much better these work than scrubbing with a soapy sponge. First of all it won't scrub off the paint, also the only kind of paint that sponges work well on are semi-gloss. These magic erasers work beautifully on matte finishes as well. Good luck! (ps if the smudges still won't come off, read your lease to make sure that normal wear and tear is not considered damage. It's hard enough to get those security deposits back with out supplying a reason for them to withhold it: If they repaint between tennants anyway then this paint job should not cost you anything-but again, check).

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Every apartment I've ever lived in has been painted before a new tenant moves in. Usually long-term tenants can get free painting every so many years - you could check with your landlord if you've been there for a while.

Kids are actually great at washing the lower parts of walls! Just don't give them magic eraser - the stuff is non-toxic but if they rub on skin it can be highly abrasive. My 4yo likes to help, and his 7yo brother likes to earn spending money with extra tasks like that. They are great at washing the fronts of the lower kitchen cabinets.

In my experience, landlords use really cheap paint, so start with a gentle mix of dish soap and water and a non-abrasive sponge.

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