Matte stretch ceilings are very popular. In order for them to serve for a long time, careful care and washing are necessary. Over time, various contaminants appear on the surface of the matte ceiling. To get rid of them, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for washing, and also know what cleaning agents you can wash them with.
Basic Rules
Stretch matte ceilings are made of PVC film impregnated with polyurethane. Thanks to this impregnation, a special texture of the material is formed. Polyurethane is known as a dust-repellent and waterproofing agent that prevents large amounts of dust from accumulating on it.
If you perform wet cleaning without additional detergents once every 3-5 months, you can achieve the original look.
The frequency of cleaning depends on the size and purpose of the room. The living room, hall and bedroom do not require constant maintenance and cleaning of the ceilings, because difficult to remove dirt does not accumulate here. Stretch ceilings installed in kitchens and dining rooms are highly susceptible to dirt (greasy stains, soot, condensation). Therefore, in such premises it is necessary to carry out cleaning much more often. The same problem occurs in the bathroom, where mold or mildew sometimes forms from moisture.
Choice of detergents and tools
For proper care of stretch ceilings with a matte texture, you will need:
- a mop made of foam rubber fabric, its handle should be short, so you can control the pressure on the ceiling;
- soft sponges or wipes, such as microfiber;
- soap solution;
- water at room temperature;
- ladder;
- washing vacuum cleaner.
Before you start cleaning the ceiling at home, you need to decide on the choice of detergent and accessories that are suitable for this. After all, granular cleaning agents (special powders) cannot be used for this kind of cleaning, they can ruin the entire appearance of the structure, even if they are diluted.
It is also forbidden to use active substances for cleansing. These include acids, solvents, alkalis. Before purchasing a cleaning agent, be sure to familiarize yourself with the composition of the product, which should not contain acetone. The best variation would be to use a special solution recommended by the manufacturer of the matte stretch ceiling. If you do not need to buy such a solution or it is not available in a household chemicals store, you can use a soap solution or dishwashing detergent, as well as glass and mirror cleaners that can cope with this task.
Only before using such solutions, they must be checked for the presence of active substances in the composition.
Dry cleaning
For this type of cleaning, clean, dry, soft, lint-free tools are used. The goal is to remove minor contaminants such as dust, cobwebs, fresh stains and traces of condensation. If there is a cobweb, it is enough to brush it off the cover.
For dry cleaning, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a foam nozzle. The distance from the vacuum cleaner to the ceiling must be at least 3 cm, you must not touch the surface. This method is not suitable for stubborn dirt. Dry cleaning does not require much effort, therefore it is mainly performed for preventive purposes.
Combined cleaning
This type of cleaning includes several types of cleaning. There is a consistent application of dry and wet methods. Combined cleaning consists of the following steps:
- Dry wipe. Clean the ceiling surface with a soft dry cloth or sponge.
- Moisturizing … Warm clean water is applied to the stretch cover using a spray gun or a container with a spray bottle. This method is required if stubborn dried contamination is present.
- Impregnation of the canvas with chemical solutions. If the first two cleaning options are not enough to remove dirt, use detergents. They are applied to fabric or dirt. Then the stubborn stain is removed with gentle movements.
- Removing soap solutions. The ceiling surface is rinsed with warm water.
- Drying … The matte fabric is wiped dry with a dry cloth, you can also use a hair dryer. This procedure is essential to prevent the formation of mold and mildew.
In this way, the most difficult dirt is eliminated, which cannot be removed separately by dry or wet cleaning.
Thanks to this combination, the surface of the ceiling remains perfectly clean for a fairly long time.
Forbidden actions
Caring for matte surfaces requires careful and careful handling. There are prohibited products and tools that can damage the matte fabric.
- Standard abrasives. Their use is strictly prohibited. There is a risk of cracking. Such formulations emit strong unpleasant odors that can lead to allergic reactions.
- Liquids containing acetone … They have a negative effect on the canvas, discoloring it and forming stains on the coating.
- Rigid fabrics and pointed tools (mop without foam). Such materials can lead to deformation of the canvas (cracks, scratches, breaks), up to the need to replace the structure.
- Application possible stain remover, but only if such a tool has been tested on a small hidden area of the ceiling.
- Water temperature for cleaning the ceiling should not be more than 40 degrees.
How to wash without streaks?
The canvas of the matte ceiling is textured, it is for this reason that it is recommended to use silk fabrics when cleaning such a coating. If you use a simple rag, lint may remain on the canvas.
Matte ceiling has an advantage over other types of stretch ceiling. It lies in the fact that after washing, no streaks remain.
To properly clean the ceiling from dirt, perform the following procedures:
- If there is a cobweb in the corners, remove it with a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment.
- When using a cleaning spray, spread it over small areas and immediately wipe gently with a soft cloth.
- If a detergent has been chosen for cleaning, then it must be diluted in a warm liquid until foam forms and applied to a soft cloth. Washing the canvas is performed with plastic movements from left to right from one corner to another. In no case should you rub in circles, otherwise stains may appear. To clean the matte surface, you can use an alcohol-based glass cleaner.
- If there is stubborn dirt on the coating, it is pre-soaked, and then gently wiped with a squeezed cloth until completely eliminated. When using a large amount of detergent, rinse the coating with warm clean water to get rid of chemical residues.
- After all dirt has been removed from the matte cloth, dry cleaning is performed.
To clean the matte ceiling without streaks at home, it is recommended to use pharmacy ammonia. It must be diluted in water in a ratio of 50 ml to 1 liter.
Prevention of contamination
In order not to resort to frequent cleaning of matt stretch ceilings, it is necessary to observe measures to prevent the appearance of dirt.
- In the bathroom, you need to carefully use the shower so that less water drops on the coating. Experts recommend purchasing a special curtain that prevents water droplets from falling on the ceiling.
- It is necessary to install a powerful hood in the kitchen, which will prevent the large settling of soot and greasy stains. You also need to carefully open soda, food containers so that food particles and splashes do not fall on the ceiling.
- Constant ventilation of rooms with matt stretch ceilings will help to avoid condensation accumulation.
- It is necessary to carry out wet cleaning more often in the house or apartment in order to prevent the deposition of dust and soot.
The main condition for thoroughly washing the matte ceiling at home without streaks is follow the rules for washing and cleaning the ceiling surfaces, following the advice of experts.
In spacious rooms, the ceiling area is very large, therefore, it will take a lot of effort to take care of such coatings.
For this purpose, it is better to call the specialists of the cleaning company, who will cope with this task in a short time.
You can learn how to wash difficult stains from a stretch ceiling by watching the video below.