The Journal — Care Guide

How to Clean and Care for Wallpaper

Modern wallpaper is more forgiving than its reputation suggests — but cleaning it correctly requires a different approach than painted walls.

Non-Woven: Wipeable Surface

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Non-woven wallpaper with a semi-gloss surface can be gently wiped clean — well-maintained, it easily reaches its 10–15 year lifespan.

Wallpaper has a reputation for being delicate and difficult to maintain. In practice, modern non-woven and peel and stick wallpaper is more forgiving than most people expect — but cleaning it correctly does require a different approach than painted walls.

Here's how to handle routine cleaning, stain removal, and common damage scenarios for each wallpaper type.

Routine Cleaning: Dusting and Light Surface Dirt

The simplest and safest way to clean wallpaper regularly is dry dusting. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner at low suction. Work from top to bottom to prevent dust from falling onto already-cleaned sections.

For slightly heavier surface dirt, a barely damp (not wet) microfiber cloth wiped gently across the surface handles most everyday grime. The key word is barely — the cloth should feel almost dry to the touch. Excess moisture is the main risk in routine wallpaper cleaning.

Frequency: Light dusting every 2–3 months. Full surface wipe-down once or twice a year depending on the room.

Cleaning by Wallpaper Type

Non-Woven Wallpaper (Traditional and Pre-Pasted)

Non-woven wallpaper with a semi-glossy surface is the most cleanable type. The surface can tolerate gentle wiping with a barely damp cloth for most marks and light stains. For anything heavier, a very dilute solution of mild dish soap in water applied with a soft sponge works on most non-woven surfaces. Always rinse with clean water and blot dry — never leave moisture sitting on the surface.

Avoid: abrasive sponges, scouring pads, strong chemical cleaners, and concentrated detergents. These can dull the surface finish or bleach the ink.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper (Polyester Textile)

The matte polyester surface can be gently wiped with a barely damp cloth for surface dirt. Be careful near seams and edges — moisture at the adhesive boundary can weaken the bond over time. For stains, blot rather than rub, and keep cleaning solutions away from panel edges.

Handling Specific Stains

Grease and oil

Act immediately. Press a clean white paper towel or a slice of dry white bread against the stain for several minutes to absorb the oil before it sets. Once the excess is absorbed, gently dab the remaining mark with a barely damp cloth. Do not rub. Rubbing spreads grease stains and can damage the surface texture.

Ink and marker

Blot immediately with a dry cloth. For dried ink, a cotton ball with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol can work on some wallpaper surfaces — test in an inconspicuous area first, as it can affect some ink finishes. Avoid acetone or nail polish remover, which will damage the wallpaper surface.

Crayon

Place a clean white paper towel over the crayon mark and press briefly with a warm iron on low heat. The wax transfers to the paper towel. Remove remaining residue with a gentle damp cloth. This method works on most wallpaper surfaces and avoids the chemical risk of solvents.

Pencil

A white vinyl eraser used very lightly often removes pencil marks without touching the wallpaper surface. Use minimal pressure and work in one direction.

Scuff marks

A clean pencil eraser or barely damp cloth usually removes scuff marks. For black rubber scuffs (from furniture or shoes), a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser used very gently and dry often works — but test in a hidden area first, as magic erasers are mildly abrasive and can dull a glossy surface with repeated use.

Fixing Common Problems

Lifting seams

Address lifting seams immediately. Use wallpaper seam repair adhesive, applied with a small brush to the underside of the lifted section. Press firmly into place, run a seam roller over the joint, and wipe away any excess adhesive before it dries. A seam addressed within a day or two stays invisible; one left for weeks becomes a larger repair.

Air bubbles

For non-woven wallpaper: inject a small amount of seam repair adhesive with a syringe, press flat, and roll. For peel and stick: gently lift the nearest edge, smooth the panel from edge toward the bubble to push the air out, and press firmly to reset.

Torn sections

Small tears in non-woven wallpaper can be pressed back into place with seam adhesive if the torn piece is intact. For peel and stick, a matching patch cut slightly larger than the tear and aligned to the pattern can hide most minor damage. Contact the retailer if you have leftover material from the original installation — keeping one spare strip is always worth doing.

Preventing Damage

Keep furniture at least 2–3 inches from wallpapered walls to prevent rubbing and scuffing
Use furniture pads on anything that might contact the wall
In rooms with children, seal all seams with seam sealer at installation
In bathrooms and kitchens, run ventilation fans to prevent moisture buildup
Avoid hanging heavy framed pictures directly on wallpapered walls with nails — use picture rail hooks or adhesive strips designed for wallpaper

Well-maintained wallpaper easily reaches its full lifespan of 10–15 years for non-woven and 3–5 years for peel and stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wash wallpaper?

Most modern non-woven wallpaper can be gently wiped with a damp sponge or cloth. Avoid soaking the surface or scrubbing aggressively. Peel and stick polyester wallpaper can tolerate gentle surface wiping but should not be wetted at the seams. Always test in a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning a visible section.

How do you remove stains from wallpaper?

For most stains on non-woven wallpaper, blot the stain immediately with a clean dry cloth, then gently dab with a barely damp cloth. For grease stains, press a piece of dry white bread against the stain to absorb the oil before wiping. Avoid rubbing, which spreads the stain and can damage the surface.

How do you fix a bubble in wallpaper?

For non-woven wallpaper bubbles, use a syringe to inject a small amount of wallpaper seam repair adhesive under the bubble, press flat, and allow to dry. For peel and stick wallpaper bubbles, gently lift the edge nearest the bubble, smooth the panel back against the wall from the edge inward, then press firmly.

How do you fix a peeling wallpaper seam?

Apply seam repair adhesive to the underside of the lifted section with a small brush, press firmly into place, and hold with a seam roller for 30–60 seconds. Wipe away any excess adhesive immediately with a damp cloth. Address lifting seams as soon as you notice them.