Wall cleaning and washing before painting in Warsaw

Painting over a dirty wall is a guaranteed way to see peeling within a couple of months. Construction dust, kitchen grease, nicotine residue, marks from furniture — all of it stops paint from bonding to the surface. We recently worked on a flat in Śródmieście where the tenant had cooked without an extractor fan for years. The walls looked fine at a glance, but run your hand across them and it came back greasy. Paint applied straight onto that would have lasted weeks at best.

How much does it cost and what affects the price

Current prices are in the table below. The cost depends on wall condition (light dust versus years of built-up grease), area, and surface type. If the wall is simply dusty, a wipe-down is enough. If it’s greasy from cooking, it needs washing with a degreaser. Sponges and tools are included. Cleaning agents are consumables, charged separately.

How the on-site work goes

1. The technician assesses the walls and identifies the type of contamination: dust, grease, soot, nicotine, mould.
2. The cleaning method is chosen: dry wiping, wet washing, or treatment with a specialist solution.
3. Walls are washed from top to bottom — this prevents drips from leaving streaks on clean areas.
4. Problem zones (near the hob, behind the fridge, above radiators) are treated separately.
5. After washing, walls must dry completely — usually 2–4 hours.
6. The technician runs a hand over the surface: if it doesn’t slip, it’s ready for priming and painting.

Common customer mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Painting without cleaning — the paint goes on fine but starts bubbling and peeling after 2–3 months.
• Wiping walls with a dry cloth — dust smears around and grease stays put.
• Using harsh cleaning products — they damage the plaster or leave a chemical film.
• Not letting walls dry after washing — paint won’t adhere to a damp surface.
• Forgetting areas behind furniture — move the wardrobe and the wall behind it is covered in dust and cobwebs.
• Only washing visible sections — behind radiators and above cabinets need cleaning too.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Move furniture 30–50 cm from the walls or shift it to the centre of the room.
• Take down pictures, clocks, shelves — anything hanging on the walls.
• Tape over sockets and switches with masking tape if wet washing is planned.
• Ensure access to water (a tap and a bucket).
• If it’s a kitchen — let the technician know about the type of dirt (grease, soot).
• Check ventilation — after wet washing, airflow is needed for drying.
• Remove rugs and belongings from the floor along the walls.
• Confirm the visit time — walls need at least 2 hours to dry before painting can start.

A real case from Warsaw

A two-bedroom flat in Żoliborz. The landlord wanted a quick repaint before new tenants moved in. The previous decorator had painted directly over old grease-coated walls — the kitchen had no extractor and the tenant had been a heavy smoker. Within a month the paint was flaking off in sheets. We stripped the top layer, washed the walls twice with degreaser, let them dry overnight, applied an isolating primer and painted two coats. That was eight months ago — the finish is still perfect. Wall preparation adds a few hours to the job but saves you from redoing it entirely within weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to wash the walls if they look clean?
Yes — construction dust is invisible but weakens paint adhesion. A wipe with a damp cloth is enough.

What should I use to wash kitchen walls?
A degreaser solution or TSP (trisodium phosphate). Regular soap won’t fully remove the grease film.

Can you wash plasterboard?
Yes, but carefully — a slightly damp sponge, no soaking. Plasterboard doesn’t tolerate excess moisture.

How long do walls take to dry after washing?
Usually 2–4 hours with good ventilation. Heavily greased walls washed thoroughly may need up to 24 hours.

Do you wash ceilings too?
Yes, if the ceiling is being painted. Especially important in kitchens and bathrooms.

Can I order wall washing without painting?
Yes, but booking the full package works out more cost-effective.

Who does the work

Wall preparation is carried out by painters with hands-on renovation experience. We cover all of Warsaw. Call or message us — we’ll assess the wall condition and advise on the level of preparation needed.