Wallpaper is an investment. Whether you went with a bold geometric print in the dining room or a subtle texture in the entryway, you want it looking sharp for years — not faded, peeling, or streaky after one bad cleaning attempt.
The good news: wallpaper maintenance is straightforward once you know what type you're working with. The bad news: plenty of homeowners skip that step and end up with water damage or lifted seams from the wrong cleaning method. Here's how to do it right.
This is the single most important step, and it only takes a minute.
Vinyl wallpaper is the most common option in Canadian homes and the easiest to clean. It holds up well to damp cloths and mild soap solutions. You can scrub lightly without worrying much about damage.
Coated fabric wallpaper often has an acrylic or vinyl layer on top, which makes it washable. Treat it similarly to vinyl, but go easy on the scrubbing.
Plain paper wallpaper is the delicate one. Getting it wet can cause warping, bubbling, or colour bleeding. Spot-clean only, using as little moisture as possible.
If you're not sure what you have, check the original packaging or the manufacturer's product page. If that's not available, do a small patch test in a hidden corner — dampen a cloth, press it gently, and see how the wallpaper responds before cleaning the whole wall.
Dust settles on wallpaper just like it does on furniture. Over time, a layer of dust makes colours look dull and can work its way into the texture of the paper. Regular light dusting keeps that from happening.
Use a dry microfibre cloth or the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Work from the top of the wall down in slow, even strokes. Do this every few weeks in high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms — monthly is enough for bedrooms.
This one habit does more to preserve the look of your wallpaper than any deep clean.
For everyday smudges, fingerprints, or light scuffs, start with the gentlest option and work up from there.
Avoid bleach-based cleaners, abrasive scrubbers, and anything with harsh solvents. These will strip the colour or break down the adhesive underneath.
If your walls are vinyl and need a more thorough clean — say, in a kitchen where grease builds up — you can take a more direct approach.
Mix warm water with a small amount of dish soap or a gentle all-purpose cleaner. Use a soft sponge, wring it out well, and wash in sections from top to bottom. Rinse each section with a clean damp cloth and dry as you go.
Avoid soaking the seams. Water that gets behind the paper at the edges can loosen the adhesive over time, which leads to peeling. Light pressure along the seams, not scrubbing.
Keep an eye out for:
For seams that are starting to lift, a small amount of seam repair adhesive (available at most hardware stores) catches the problem early before it spreads.
Cleaning wallpaper doesn't require special products or a lot of time. Dust regularly, identify your wallpaper type before introducing any moisture, and treat stains as soon as they happen. Those three habits will keep your walls looking the way they did on installation day.
If you're unsure about your wallpaper's material or worried about damaging a high-end print, reach out to the team at Apex Wallpaper before attempting any wet cleaning. A quick conversation can save you a costly repair.