TOP TIP!! Do not start to wash the wall above the fireplace unless you are willing to wash the whole bloody room or repaint.

[brimfull]

Learnt this lesson this am
I wanted to change the picture above the fireplace
different size pic so have to get rid of soot mark round first pic-out comes the fairy liquid
stooopid idea

lovely big sweeping streks now adorn my cream coloured wall

lol

The previous owners of my house covered the entire chimney breast with wood-effect vinyl wall paper. Try that .

The previous owners of my house covered the entire chimney breast with dark brown wood-effect vinyl wallpaper. You could try that .

I like the idea so much I had to tell you twice.

Same goes for behind the television... We had to repaint our living room for exactly the same reason!

hmm I feel I should paper my entire house in vinyl
start a new trend

Yes. I believe it also comes in a natty tile effect, with crazy seascape scenes.

Four generations of my husband's family never moved the furniture but painted round it.

oh my husbands family paint round things too. He thought i would as well (saves paint -money- you know)

girl do you have a real fire? If not, and you have a gas fire I would get it checked out because it could be dangerous if it is leaving sooty deposits on the wall.

real fire

Phew

Heartsease, ours did too!

Overlapping grained dark brown plastic layers "just like real wood" - revolting!

(Mind you it did successfully obscure the appalling state of the plaster )

Can anyone explain why those weird sooty deposits also appear over central heating radiators ? I have had the same smeary cleaning problem with those...

I believe it's summer dust rising in the heat off the radiators in the winter, cider.

(owner of extremely dusty house )

Ah okay thanks. I'll try hoovering them off next time. Glad it's not actual soot, that would just mess with my mind.