What is washable wallpaper?
Washable wallpaper is not a separate type of wallpaper, but the quality that the coating possesses. The degree of moisture resistance can be different, the marking is indicated on the back of the roll or packaging. Washable coatings are mainly used to decorate the kitchen, which greatly simplifies the life of the hostess.
How can you tell if a wallpaper can be washed?
To distinguish whether kitchen wallpaper can be washed, you need to pay attention to the markings, which are indicated on the back of the roll or on the packaging. The designation gives a definition of the resistance of the acquired material to moisture.
Marking
Helps to determine the degree of interaction of the material with water and how to care.
Icon | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
One wave | Waterproof | The material has little contact with water. Wipe the surface with a damp soft cloth. Not recommended for kitchen decoration. |
Two waves | Washable | In moderate contact with water. Care is carried out using a regular rag or sponge and a slightly alkaline solution. Fresh dirt, dust and stains are removed from the surface, except for greasy ones. |
Three waves | Super washable | The surface interacts well with water. When leaving, you can use a cloth, sponge and soap solution. A good option for finishing the kitchen. |
Three waves and a brush | Friction resistant | Maximum moisture resistance. When cleaning, you can use a sponge, rag, brush and soapy water. Ideal for kitchen decoration. |
What types are there?
Vinyl
The wallpaper is of the washable type, which means it is suitable for finishing the kitchen. The covering is a two-layer fabric made of a paper or fabric base and a polyvinyl chloride coating.
Vinyls can be divided into three subgroups, flat, dense, and foamed. Flat vinyl wallpaper is a washable material produced by the hot stamping method, that is, the foamed vinyl is smoothed out. The material has a wide selection of colors and textures, including silk-screen printing, and can also imitate various surfaces.
Foamed vinyl wallpaper has a clear embossed surface that allows you to mask minor irregularities in the walls. Not the best choice for the kitchen, although they can also be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Thick or hard vinyl wallpaper is thicker than the rest, the material is durable and moisture resistant. The pattern on the canvases is made by hot stamping. A convenient option for use in the kitchen and hallway.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper with photo printing is, first of all, an effective way of decorating a kitchen, and only after a practical surface. By themselves, the wallpaper will not be the best option for finishing the kitchen, but the laminated surface radically changes the matter.
Washable wallpaper with a laminated surface can be wiped with damp rags, in addition, dirt and greasy stains do not enter into them, which is very convenient for kitchen conditions.
Fabric-based
To decorate the kitchen, you should choose washable wallpaper on a fabric basis. These can be the aforementioned vinyl flooring. The backing gives extra strength, this type of finish will be more durable than with a paper backing.
Non-woven
Washable coatings are divided into two types: for painting and a finished coating that does not require additional manipulations. The coating is a flat surface and a relief second layer that forms a repeating ornament or a whole pattern.
If the type for painting is chosen for the kitchen, then in order to make it washable, it is necessary to choose a water-based paint.
Liquid
In its original form, they represent a dry mixture, which is diluted in a certain ratio with water and only then applied to the walls of the kitchen according to the principle of plaster. The coating helps to hide the unevenness of the walls and does not require careful surface preparation. To be able to carry out wet cleaning, the surface must be covered with acrylic varnish.
Paper
Although wallpaper attracts with the price and variety of colors, they are considered the most impractical material, since they tend to absorb odors, fade in the sun, are easily damaged and are almost impossible to wash from all kinds of stains.
In the case of choosing a washable paper covering for the kitchen, film wallpaper is used. In fact, this is a wallpaper with a water-repellent coating, the surface has a glossy outer layer that allows wet cleaning.
Glass fiber
Washable fiberglass wallpaper has a composition that is fundamentally different from other types. The coating is made from glass blanks, which are drawn into fibers under the action of high temperature. From them, the most durable canvas is subsequently obtained.
Glass fiber is universal, it can be painted and washed many times, it is not subject to combustion, it prevents the appearance of mold, and is also maximally resistant to damage. However, they have a fairly high price and not such a large selection of textures as in other types.
Metallized
Washable wallpaper with eye-catching appearance. The cover consists of a paper base covered with aluminum foil and paint. The surface has a pattern that shimmers beautifully in the light. Wallpaper lends itself to wet cleaning, but practically does not allow air to pass through.
For painting
Different types are suitable for painting, such as non-woven or fiberglass. It is important to choose the correct paint for painting, most often it is water-based paint.
Natural wallpaper
Natural washable wallpaper boasts an environmentally friendly and harmless composition, which cannot be found in many finishing materials. Cork or bamboo wallpapers have a recognizable texture, although they do not differ in a rich variety of colors, they still make the kitchen interior unique and support the eco theme.
The wallpaper is washable and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Pros and cons
A closer look at the pros and cons allows you to choose the ideal washable coatings for yourself.
Cover type | Dignity | disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Vinyl | A durable coating, can be applied to different types of surfaces, hides minor wall defects, a large selection of colors, the possibility of wet cleaning. | The coating reacts to sudden changes in air humidity and temperature. Flat vinyl has a non-breathable surface. |
Wallpaper | Possibility to make wet cleaning on laminated photowall-paper, a wide choice of images. | The surface does not breathe. |
Fabric-based | Breathable, vapor permeable and durable. | The vinyl top layer will keep air out. |
Non-woven | A wide variety of choices, wide canvases, durable material, hide wall defects. | The relief of the drawing is easy to damage, the accumulation of dust in the relief. |
Liquid | Easy to clean, breathable, no seams. | High cost, limited color palette. |
Paper | Wide range of colors, low cost. Foil wallpaper can be washed. | They do not breathe, low strength of the material, they are applied only to a flat wall. |
Glass fiber | Durable canvas, washable and re-dyed.Fire resistant, mold resistant, durable, environmentally friendly and safe. | High cost, small selection of textures, difficult to remove from the surface of the walls. |
Metallized | Effective appearance, the possibility of wet cleaning, resistant to the appearance of mold and mildew, long service life. | The surface of the wallpaper does not breathe, it is applied only to flat walls, high cost. |
For painting | Depending on the type of wallpaper, the possibility of multiple coloring, breathable surface, the ability to choose any color. | Some types of paintable wallpaper can be expensive. |
Natural | Eco-friendly, safe, wet cleaning is possible, do not fade in the sun, long service life. | Limited choice of colors and patterns. |
Design options
Decorative stone
Imitation of decorative stone can decorate the kitchen in modern, loft, country, Provence styles. The stone will look harmoniously with other types of washable coatings, the surface can be monochromatic or with a small pattern.
Under the brick
It looks equally good in the brutal interior of the loft and the delicate style of Provence. A wide assortment allows you to choose any color, shape and size of the pattern, as well as significantly saves time on finishing and space in the kitchen.
Under the tiles
Washing wallpaper under the tiles will be an interesting option for decorating the kitchen. They can completely decorate the entire kitchen, including the apron area, or you can decorate only the dining area. This type of pattern looks good as a companion wallpaper, echoing with other colors and patterns, for example, small mosaic and Gzhel pattern.
Under the tree
The popular eco-theme has not receded for several years. Real wood is not the best option in the kitchen, wallpaper with its imitation will be an excellent alternative. It will take a lot of effort to betray a certain tone and apply a pattern to a wooden panel; such a problem will not arise with wallpaper.
Into the cage
The cage can be small, large, monochromatic, Scottish. There are not so few variations. If the walls are finished with a checkered pattern, then the headset should be chosen in a solid color, in the color of the background or wallpaper pattern.
With flowers
The floral pattern will always be relevant. The size of flowers can be completely different, from a nondescript small one to a large flower, depicted using photo printing.
Flowers can also reflect different styles and moods of the kitchen, for example, a large orchid of a delicate shade on the wall behind the dining area will make the interior graceful and delicate, and large bright pink peonies will give the interior a romantic mood.
Under the bamboo
Washable bamboo imitation wallpaper will support the natural theme in the interior of the kitchen. Unlike real bamboo flooring, wallpaper is not so limited in color choices. The pattern can also repeat a bamboo stem with foliage, this option is suitable for a Japanese theme.
Color spectrum
White
White has many advantages. It goes well with any shades, suits any style of decoration, and most importantly visually makes the kitchen space larger. White can be taken as the main color or used as an additional color, combined with bright colors.
Green
Green has many shades, from bright young greens to dark olive, which, by the way, is more suitable for decorating a spacious and well-lit kitchen.
The chosen shade should reflect the style of the kitchen, for example, rich colors are suitable for a modern style, a calm and muted green tone corresponds to a classic one.
Beige
The classic and versatile shade will be a win-win option for finishing your kitchen.The beige tone is combined with many shades; you can add bright colors to the interior in the form of a pattern on the wallpaper or due to the color of the headset.
Black
The bold black tone should be used with caution in kitchen finishes. It is suitable for bright open spaces. Also, black can be used as a secondary color, for example, in a pattern on washable wallpaper.
An example of use instead of an apron
Washing wallpaper can also be used to trim the apron area. To do this, you should choose a durable material that interacts well with moisture. Fiberglass, vinyl and paintable wallpaper are good options. It is better to cover coatings with the worst interaction with water with protective glass.
Selection Tips
When looking for a finishing material, it is worth considering all the nuances of the room, how sunny the kitchen is, the budget, and also take into account the characteristics of the washable coating
- The best type of washable wallpaper for the kitchen is non-woven vinyl wallpaper. They have a breathable surface and a long service life.
- The best type of washable paintable wallpaper is glassy wallpaper. The material is very durable and can withstand repeated staining.
- For the kitchen, it is better not to choose paper wallpapers, even if they are with a washable moisture-repellent coating. They have a short lifespan and will fade in the sun.
- For finishing the kitchen, it is better to choose a non-woven coating, it is durable and elastic, and also tolerates contact with water well.
How to glue?
What is the best glue for gluing?
Considering that most washable wallpapers are heavy, it is worth choosing an appropriate adhesive. There is a special glue for heavy wallpaper types. When choosing a vinyl washable glue, it is worth choosing an antiseptic with fungicides. Regardless of which type of washable wallpaper you choose, the adhesive must be moisture resistant.
Step-by-step gluing instructions
Finishing work with washable wallpaper is not very different from usual. There is a certain order of actions that will help to consistently and efficiently perform gluing.
- Preparing the walls. To do this, you need to remove the old finish, remove irregularities and plaster the walls.
- Treatment with antifungal liquid.
- Priming the walls.
- Marking. Using a plumb line or level, a vertical line is drawn on the wall. It will become a guideline for gluing and will help to avoid "overfilling" the strip.
- Material preparation. Cut the wallpaper into strips of the desired length with a margin of 5-10 cm.
- Depending on the type of material, glue is applied, after which the strip is applied to the wall.
- The trapped air is smoothed out from the center to the edge using a roller.
Excess glue is removed immediately. Upon completion of the work, the wallpaper is cut to one length.
Video
Proper care and washing
Even washable wallpaper coverings have maintenance rules, following which you can extend the life of the wallpaper and maintain its original appearance.
- When cleaning, use a soft cloth or sponge, avoiding hard brushes,
- It is best to use soapy water as a cleaning liquid if the labeling permits it.
- Before wet cleaning for the first time, you should do it on an inconspicuous area to check the reaction of the coating.
- Wet cleaning should be done as needed. Even washable coatings “don't like” too frequent contact with water.
Photo gallery
Washable wallpaper is the best idea for decorating your kitchen. Today there is a wide range of colors and textures, different strengths and susceptibility to moisture. All of them can be washed, differing only in the way.