What makes paint washable?
Washable and wipeable wall paint is made in a way that allows it to get damp without the colour rubbing off. Many washable paints also have built-in anti-stain technology to prevent spills and marks settling in to the finish. While gloss paint has always been the traditional go-to for its washable properties and cleanability, there are now wipeable and washable paints available in almost every finish.
What’s the best way to clean a painted wall?
You should ensure the wall is free from dust or loose dirt before wiping it. If you have a soft brush attachment on your vacuum, you could use that to reach high points in a room. Once any loose debris has been removed, gently clean the walls with a sponge and warm soapy water. If you have a stubborn stain, and have used scrubbable paint, you can afford to go in a bit harder, but always test an inconspicuous area first!
Can you paint over washable paint?
If you're painting over with the same type of paint, it will be fine, but otherwise, lightly sand the walls after washing them down, so the new paint has something to adhere to.
What’s the best washable paint to buy in the UK?
Based on its range of colours (a whopping 60), price, and the huge amount of praise heaped on it, we think the Homebase Tough & Durable Matt Paint is currently the best washable or wipeable paint to buy.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which washable paint Mumsnet users had bought. We checked out the types they recommended for being up to the job, that stayed looking fresh after cleaning, and could withstand busy traffic areas in family homes, as well as looking good and being easy to apply. We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which washable paints had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customer reviews said about them.
Having collated all that information, we picked the top washable paints we thought would make the best buys.
Why you should trust us
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