How and how to properly wash a stretch ceiling?

Features by material and texture

To wash the stretch fabric at home, the first step is to decide what kind of material you are dealing with.

Fabric ceiling

Stretch ceilings are made of fabric impregnated with polyurethane. The main difference from plastic is the presence of micropores - air circulates through them, water can seep. They do not tolerate stretching, abrasives, brushing. Choose a mild, non-abrasive detergent to clean stretch ceilings made of fabric, avoid alcohol-containing and other aggressive chemical solutions.

The most obvious option is soapy water (soap, liquid soap, powder, dishwashing detergent). But even it should be pre-tested in an inconspicuous place, for example, behind curtains or in corners.

Choose a fabric that is clean, as light as possible - colored ones can shed and stain the surface of the ceiling.

Cleaning sequence:

1. Remove dust from the ceiling with a dry cloth.
2. Apply soapy water to the entire surface.
3. Leave to work for 5-10 minutes.
4. Wash off with clean water.
5. Wipe dry.

PVC ceiling

It is easier to wash a stretch ceiling made of polyvinyl chloride on one side than a fabric one. It does not allow water to pass through, it stretches easily. But also does not tolerate strong pressure, abrasives, hard floats. A mild detergent is chosen, but the soap solution is not suitable for all surfaces: strong stains will remain on the glossy ceiling, which will not be easy to get rid of.

Glossy ceiling

What means to clean stretch ceilings so that they do not lose their gloss and reflectivity? Main recipe: diluted ammonia (9 parts warm water, 1 part alcohol). It helps to remove dust, grease and stains at the same time.

How else can you wash stretch ceilings with a glossy finish without streaks? If you have a glass and mirror detergent at home, it will work too: most of these formulations contain ammonia or another alcohol base.

Important! To remove greasy stains from the ceiling in the kitchen, rub them pointwise with a sponge and dishwashing detergent, and then wash the entire surface of the stretch ceiling with soft fiber dipped in an alcohol solution.

Matt

The matte finish PVC ceiling, oddly enough, also suffers from stains after improper washing, but they are much easier to avoid. What tools are suitable:

• a weak soap solution (from regular soap or dishwashing liquid);
• alcohol solution (recipe in the glossy section);
• foam from detergent powder or gel for washing.

Important! To achieve maximum tension on the canvas, heat the room to 25-27 degrees. This will make the washing procedure easier.

Heavy dirt must be moistened first - for this it is convenient to use a spray bottle with warm water. Then scrub with a soft, foamy sponge. The lather is collected with a clean damp cloth, and then the entire surface of the ceiling is wiped with a damp cloth soaked in a light solution of alcohol.

Advice! If stains still remain on the stretch matte ceiling, spray them pointwise with window cleaner and wipe them off with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Satin

Satin film is often chosen as an alternative to matte and glossy: it reflects light, but does not shine as much as gloss. In leaving, satin is also twofold: it is easy to wash it, but the likelihood of stains is very high.

Important! Do not use chemicals based on acetone or chlorine - both substances corrode PVC and the ceiling will have to be changed or repaired.

Soap solution is the best option for washing a satin stretch ceiling. Here are some proven recipes:

• A tablespoon of dish detergent per liter of water.
• 1 part soap shavings to 10 parts warm water.
• 1.5-2 tablespoons of washing powder or 1 tbsp. l. liquid gel for washing per liter of water.

Strong dirt is washed off with soap, in order to wash off the dust, it is enough to walk with a lazy woman with a damp clean cloth over the entire surface.

What can be washed?

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Before deciding on the means, study the general recommendations for washing stretch ceilings:

• Remove all jewelry from hands before starting work.
• Wear thick gloves to avoid damaging the film with your nails.
• When using a vacuum cleaner, keep the attachment at a distance of 10-15 cm from the stretch fabric.
• Avoid abrasive, powdery substances - even ordinary laundry granules should dissolve completely so as not to leave scratches.
• Do not use brushes, even with soft bristles.
• Check the water temperature - you can wash a maximum of 35 degrees.
• Carefully read the compositions of household chemicals: there should be no chlorine, acetone, alkalis and solvents. It is also impossible to wash with household soap. Melamine sponges should not be used due to their abrasiveness.

We figured out what not to do. Let's move on to what is possible.

Rags. Soft flannel or knitwear, microfiber, foam sponge are ideal. If in doubt, run the cloth over your hand: if the sensations are pleasant, you feel soft, you can wash with a cloth.

Cleaning products. Every home has a liquid for washing dishes: it does not leave streaks and perfectly removes stains. In the store, you can find a specialized concentrate or solution for wet cleaning of stretch ceilings, an alternative to this is the usual composition for cleaning windows. Machine cleaners are suitable for cleaning PVC foil, but be sure to read the ingredients and try on a small, inconspicuous area before using.

Recommendations for the type of contamination

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To wash the stretch ceiling from different stains, it is logical to use different detergents.

Fat

It works best with a regular dish detergent like Fairy or MYTH. Foam with a sponge or make a soapy solution and wash the stretch ceiling.

Dust

The canvases have antistatic properties, so in ordinary life, dust practically does not settle on them. Construction dust is another matter. The ceiling is washed with a mild soapy solution, then wiped with a clean cloth until the water stops becoming cloudy. The glossy coating is additionally treated with an alcohol composition.

Yellowness

If the PVC film has turned yellow from nicotine or soot in the kitchen, the yellow coating should be washed off with regular soap. The soap didn't work? Try a ceiling cleaner. But in no case use chlorine, even diluted. If yellowness has appeared from time to time, then the canvas was of poor quality and it will no longer be possible to wash it, only change it.

Paint

The ceiling is usually done first, so you often have to deal with drops of paint on it. If the paint was in color, it is better not to remove the stain at all, but if it is necessary to remove it, try soap and water first. It will be sufficient for water-based paint, especially if the stains are fresh.

In the most difficult situations, try to point-wipe the paint with white spirit, trying not to touch the surface of the ceiling, working only with the paint - as if collecting it on a cotton swab, cloth or other tool.

How often should you wash?

Stretch ceilings have an antistatic effect - that is, dust on them, so, practically does not accumulate. Therefore, they need to be washed only in case of contamination, and not on a regular basis. Moreover, the less often you repeat this procedure, the more efficient and safer the process will be for the structure itself.

Universal way: step by step instructions

If you do not know which ceiling you have installed, use the universal method suitable for all types:

1. Prepare a soft cloth - dry and wet, room temperature water, dishwashing detergent.
2. Mix liquids in a ratio of 1 spoon of the product to 1 liter of water.
3. Use a soft soapy cloth or sponge to spot-wash visible stains in smooth circular motions.
4. Rinse a cloth, moisten with clean water, wring out.
5. Wipe the entire surface of the ceiling with a mop from dirt or from a stepladder.

Advice! If there are traces on the gloss, dilute with ammonia. How to do it correctly - in the section "Glossy stretch ceiling".

For another simple universal way, see the video:

Washing stretch ceilings is a simple process. The main thing is to do everything carefully and not to use substances or objects that can damage it.