Washable wallpaper: the subtleties of choice

Progress does not stand still, and now the problem of dirty walls can be solved with the help of finishing with washable wallpaper. This is a range of materials with different characteristics and colors. To determine the most suitable option, you need to consider what are washable coatings and how to care for them.

Kinds

Vinyl wallpaper is a two-layer coating on paper or non-woven base. The top layer is polyvinyl chloride, which, basically, and gives the wallpaper certain properties. Depending on the method of its application, three types of vinyl coatings can be distinguished:

  • Foamed vinyl - patterns are obtained by the method of heat exposure and expansion of the pores of polyvinyl chloride. Such wallpapers are very embossed and voluminous.
  • Hot stamping. There are three types of it: silk-screen printing (inconspicuous relief, texture is achieved due to the refraction of light on surface roughness),vinyl-konpakt (foamed material embossing) and inhibitory (embossing is performed by applying special substances that do not allow vinyl to foam).

Drawings come from imitation of silk to decorative plaster, brick and stone.

  • Rubberized vinyl characterized by the presence of an additional layer. Washable wallpaper from it can be glued even in the bathroom. The choice of colors is no different variety. Almost all coatings are non-monotonic.
  • Non-woven Coating made of non-woven material based on cellulose. The texture is usually rough and is excellent for painting. Flizelin is elastic and stretches well, but at the same time is dense and durable. Such wallpaper is easy to stick. The adhesive composition is applied directly to the wall, and the sheets fit well on it.
  • Acrylic Wallpaper also produced on the basis of paper or non-woven fabric. Acrylic is applied to the top layer, forming a pattern. These wallpapers are more environmentally friendly than vinyl, although they have a shorter lifespan.
  • Glass fiber - It is a modern roll washable material. They are made of fiberglass with impregnation with special substances. They can also be painted.
  • Metal wall - one more type of the washing cloths.When making them, aluminum foil with a given ornament and shade is applied on a paper or non-woven base.
  • Liquid coatings - powder material, which in diluted form is applied with a spatula to the prepared walls. It consists of cellulose and various additives. The surface at the last stage is covered with acrylic lacquer composition, which provides moisture resistance.
  • Fabric based wallpaper have a structure of a layer of paper or non-woven fabric and natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen, velor). They create an unusual and stylish design in the room.
  • Film wallpaper - it is the rolled materials made by drawing on the paper basis of a special hydrophobic film. This is a budget option of finishing with a lot of colors, but there is no need to talk about any showiness and luxury.
  • Cork materials - an interesting modern coating made from a paper or non-woven layer, covered with cork veneer. The wax acts as a protective layer. This finish is completely natural and environmentally friendly.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of washable wallpaper:

  • Ease of care. Any dirt can be easily removed with a damp cloth.It is possible to use household cleaning solutions, and on some types of wallpaper even brushes with coarse bristles.
  • A huge range of colors. You can find an option for every taste, wallet, level of preparation for repair work.
  • Can replace more expensive coatings. For example, in the kitchen will look great thick rubberized wallpaper instead of ceramic tiles on the apron. And the ceiling and walls in the bathroom can be pasted over with film or vinyl wallpaper. But if you choose ceiling vinyl or cork wallpaper, then consider the considerable weight of the canvases and the difficulty of such finishing.
  • Long service life. Washable wallpaper is durable due to various additives and protective layers. Wallpaper for painting can reach a lifetime of 30 years.
  • Coatings do not fade in the sun and long retain their original appearance.

The main disadvantage of washable coatings is their non-environmental friendliness. Only some of them give the walls the ability to breathe. That is why it is better not to use such type of finishing for nurseries and bedrooms. Wall-paper for painting is environmentally safe only when painted with a suitable paint (for example, alkyd paint compositions contain harmful resins).Cork coverings are breathable, but have a very high price.

Where are they used?

Washable wallpaper is beneficial to use in the bathroom. They will easily replace tile or wall panels, and a wide selection of colors will facilitate the formation of the decor.

Kitchen - also a great place to use washable coatings. Fat and soot, as well as splashes from cooking food, can be easily cleaned from such surfaces, while ordinary wallpaper would have to be changed frequently and especially protected. The only feature of the selection of material - choose the one that does not absorb odors.

Ceilings convenient to glue on roll materials that can be wiped or washed. Ceiling paint requires a smooth prepared surface, wallpaper, you can also correct some defects. And dust and dirt accumulated on the material, wipe with a damp cloth or special mops.

It is better to give preference to wallpaper with shallow relief, so that the dust does not clog deep into the pattern.

In the hall wallpaper will save the walls from street dirt. Children's transport, boots, umbrellas carry moisture and caustic chemicals from the snow from the street into the house. Washable coatings are better preserved and will not lose their appearance with such an impact.

Office rooms - Another option where moisture-proof materials come in handy. Wallpaper for painting will be the best element of the decor. They are easy to clean and change colors if desired. Savings on repairs - there is.

What can be washed?

When you have pasted over your rooms with washable wallpaper, it soon becomes necessary to clean them from any contamination. In this case, the main thing is to figure out how to clean the stains without damaging the coating.

First of all, it should be understood that if the material can be washed, this does not mean that you need to constantly influence the coating with a large amount of water. It can sodden and deteriorate, become covered with mold, swell, and stains can appear in the figure.

Even when buying wallpaper, pay attention to the signs on the package. They will tell you with what intensity and what tools you can influence when washing the material:

  • One wave indicates that the wallpaper is moisture resistant. They can be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge, carefully, without much friction and exposure to chemicals.
  • Two waves - these are washable coverings, they are allowed to be cleaned with the help of soap solutions.
  • Three waves - supersteady to wash cloths.In this case, you can use any household chemicals for cleaning.
  • Wave with crest - such coatings can even be rubbed with a brush or treated with a washing vacuum cleaner.

Wash the wallpaper at home can be properly, resorting to several methods:

  • Treatment with soapy water. It is prepared from soap and water in the ratio of 1 to 10. If you use dishwashing detergent, the ratio should be 1 to 20. By the way, this liquid will also remove grease from the kitchen walls. Apply the solution to a sponge and wash the wallpaper.
  • Light dust and dirt can be wiped off with a damp cloth and plain water.
  • Water with soda is an excellent method for frequent cleaning. Soda is safe and has disinfectant properties. To make a solution, it is necessary to dilute 2 tablespoons with a heap of powder in a liter of water and use a sponge or cloth to wash the coating. Remove the remaining stains with a damp cloth.
  • Grease stains on the surface of the wallpaper can be removed with talcum powder. Apply it to the dirt and allow 15 minutes to absorb the remaining fat. Remove with a sponge and wipe with a damp cloth.
  • Citric acid copes with various types of pollution. A few tablespoons dissolved in a liter of water.The solution is treated with contamination, allowed to soak in for a couple of minutes and removed with clean water.
  • Traces of markers, markers, splashes of oil are removed with the help of alcohol. Apply it on a cotton pad and dot wipe the problem areas.
  • If you accidentally smeared the coating with green paint, do not worry - a 3% hydrochloric acid will come to the rescue. With a cotton swab dipped in it, wipe off the stain and clean the surface with a sponge with clean water.
  • Table vinegar will help fight the traces of wallpaper paste. Using a spray bottle, apply it on the damaged area and leave for a quarter of an hour. Then remove any residual glue and vinegar with a damp cloth.
  • Also on sale there are many tools for cleaning surfaces in the house. They also very effectively cope with various types of pollution.

A few general guidelines for washing wallpapers:

  • Wear gloves. This will protect hands and prevent fingerprints from remaining on the surface.
  • Check any means on an inconspicuous site of wallpaper to avoid damage to the coating.
  • After washing, let the wallpaper dry by itself. Eliminate the possibility of drafts in the room.
  • If you are not sure of the quality of the wallpaper, it is better to stop at the gentle means of caring for them, so as not to spoil the canvas.

How to choose?

Washable coverings are presented in a huge selection of shades and patterns.

For ceilings suitable light canvas with a small relief or smooth. Plain washable wallpaper perfectly create the background for the decor in the corridors and bath. Kitchen can be decorated with themed drawings. In rooms where people do not stay permanently, for example, in a living room or a rest room, you can decorate a wall under a tree, stone or brick. This will be appropriate in loft and eco styles.

A practical solution for the hallway will be wallpaper for painting, painted in rich colors. In the living room accents will help embossed wallpaper with a large pattern. The colors allowed are different: large Asian patterns, dark woody imitations, golden monograms, bright Turkish cucumbers. Vinyl coverings due to the unusual structure will create coziness, warmth and luxury in such an environment.

Baroque and classical interiors, as well as the Empire style, suggest just such textures for wall decoration.

Budget finishes for the kitchen include washable film wallpapers.For temporary housing is a good option.

Glass fiber and liquid materials will be a good solution for minimalists and high-tech lovers. And the opportunity to give them any shade will be an additional bonus.

Children's rooms do not recommend to paste over wall-papers which are not passing air. But non-woven coating for painting or cork wallpaper would be appropriate.

Most of the washable wallpaper is quite elastic, so it is the best fit for finishing new buildings and old wooden houses. Shrinkage and deformation will not cause new repairs.

Silk-screen printing on the walls of the hall will give a special chic to your interior. Light and pastel shades of silk wallpaper would be appropriate when finishing the bedroom. But it is better to paste over one wall with their help, and to finish the rest with breathable wallpapers.

Beautiful examples in the interior

Below is a photo catalog with interesting color options and wallpaper decorations for walls and ceilings in the rooms. Rooms are decorated in different styles and colors.

How to choose a washable wallpaper - the following video.

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