rgrin Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'm doing the Declutter and Organizing challenges this year. You know the threads. Anyway, I decided to look around on her website for some cleaning lists and saw something that made me just shut the laptop and walk away for a bit. Apparently I'm supposed to be washing my ceilings once a year?! :svengo: Seriously? Please tell me I'm not the only one who doesn't do this... and that it's okay to ignore this sage advice and leave it off my master cleaning list altogether... Please, oh please, oh please... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snow Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 :smilielol5: Some people have way too much time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have never in my life washed my ceilings, with the exception of a small moldy bathroom. I give you permission to not wash yours. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have never washed a ceiling and I never plan on doing this. I'm irritated enough that I have to dust the wall panelling in my den. No way am I washing a ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 There are people tall enough to do that? I mean, even with a chair? :huh: I feel very short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrin Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Ah, sweet relief. You all have lifted the weight from my shoulders. I love the support I get around here! :cheers2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I tried it once years ago and I did it wrong. Can't remember what i used as a cleaner (something I read about somewhere). The ceiling was/is painted with flat white paint. I had to stop b/c all I was doing was collecting the dust and dirt and smearing it in patterns....they are still there. :blush: FIL & MIL told me they just repaint when it starts to look bad. I still thought you had to clean the ceiling first? :confused1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Never in my life. No intentions of adding it to the routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Nope. There is no way I'm cleaning ceilings. I'm not known for my house cleaning skills, anyway. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I remember the very first time my MIL came and visited me form Canada. her very first comment was that I didn't wash the ceiling. I remember thinking that I wasn't aware that it was in my list of jobs. :bored: After that my ceiling got washed just before her annual visit. Now she is too old and frail to come and visit. I no only wash the ceiling just before painting. :coolgleamA: :coolgleamA: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Ceilings are the only flat surface in my house that is free from clutter. Nothing gets spilled on them, they don't get scuffed. Nobody writes a phone message in Sharpie that bleeds through to the ceiling. I rarely wash my FLOORS- why the heck would I wash my ceiling? :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Nobody writes a phone message in Sharpie that bleeds through to the ceiling. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I guess I'll be thankful for once that the trend for years here was blown ceilings (or what many call "popcorn"). There's absolutely no way you could wash these ceilings without having it all fall down on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 About once a year dh gets mad enough to actually vacuum the spiderwebs off of the ceiling.--- I could let them stay always but he gets all up in their face and sucks them up. Besides, I have pop-corn ceilings, how the heck do you wash those??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I guess I'll be thankful for once that the trend for years here was blown ceilings (or what many call "popcorn"). There's absolutely no way you could wash these ceilings without having it all fall down on you. That's what I have and I was totally :confused1: at the thought of washing a ceiling too. Sadly, I do have to vacuum the popcorn ceilings pretty frequently. I probably vacuum mine once every 3 months or so. We don't smoke or have pets but that popcorn junk really holds onto dust and cobwebs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Only in My sons room (dust allergy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Yeah, I have popcorn ceilings, too. Every now and then DH will clean the corners with a damp rag if there's cobwebs. I am too short to do that, and really I have a million better things to do with my time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 We lived at our previous house for six years. One time in all those years, I cleaned the kitchen ceiling. That was enough for a lifetime, IMO. :p I *have* cleaned bathroom ceilings before, but only because of mold/mildew. I'd NEVER bother to put it on any sort of master cleaning list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xuzi Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have to dust my ceilings occasionally to clear off the lint that's thrown up by our ceiling fans (which I also don't dust nearly as often as I should. I probably wouldn't have to dust the *ceiling* if I did that). And we had to wash the ceiling in our kitchen after we forgot to turn off a burner under a pot of boiling water, and the teflon coating burning off left a lovely grey residue on the ceiling. (obviously this was a very cheap WalMart pot, and thankfully it was also pre-kids so they didn't inhale the stuff) But other than that, no I don't clean my ceilings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hahahahaha. Now that's funny. I told DH we're supposed to wash the ceiling once a year, he said, "what, who said that? They're f****** high" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'm in the process of washing a ceiling right now. But in my defense, that's because I"m going to paint it next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reya Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Not gonna happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I wash the bathroom ceilings - they tend to get insects stuck to them or develop mould. Otherwise, I just use the feather duster on cobwebs. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Ha! I have to deal with our cobwebs soon. Usually I can give the dirt a stern face and it will depart until the next stern cleaning. I might need to follow through this time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caraway Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 How do you wash a ceiling? Do you bring in a scaffold??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrin Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 How do you wash a ceiling? Do you bring in a scaffold??? I guess so. I'm 5-foot, so it could be an interesting endeavor! Therefore, I'm glad I'm not adding it to my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 How do you wash a ceiling? Do you bring in a scaffold??? A step ladder works just fine for a normal 10 foot high ceiling. It's not that hard for a flat ceiling though it can be a bit hard on the neck if it is a big area. As someone else mentioned, you cannot wash a popcorn ceiling. Most bathroom ceilings and often kitchen ceilings too are flat and are painted with higher gloss paint that is easier to wash. I take back what I said earlier about only washing if I'm painting. I do wash my kitchen ceiling about once a year. It gets grungy with grease in spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 We have pop-corn ceilings...I can dust them. We painted a ceiling and that was more work than I care to ever do again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Oh my. I've never heard of washing the ceilings. Even from my mother who regularly washes down her walls. We have 12' ceilings. I'm good if I remember to dust off the cobwebs. We had to buy a special extending duster for that. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Wash it? Or dust it? My ceilings get very dusty and cobwebby, so I dust them and the ceiling fans about once or twice a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I sweep the cobwebs out of the corners with a broom. I have a textured ceiling and washing it would ruin it. We'll PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO PAINT IT when the time comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Quoting Rebel Yell - "Ceilings are the only flat surface in my house that is free from clutter. Nothing gets spilled on them, they don't get scuffed. Nobody writes a phone message in Sharpie that bleeds through to the ceiling." You would think that would be true, right? But I have washed handprints off my ceilings where my darling boys had a contest to see who could jump the most and touch the ceiling. I've had them wipe footprints off the ceiling, but never got to the truth of how they got there. And just last month, I had to wash the ceiling because DH and boys dragged the Christmas tree in before cutting down to size and I had a sap trail on the ceiling from the front door through the dining room to the living room! And how about the cans of soda that were shaken and opened in the kitchen - spraying everywhere including the ceiling! Myra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Here's a question - my ceiling is painted in an egg shell color with flat paint. When I spot wash it, I use a damp cloth and wash in a circular motion but when it dries I can see the "swipes" of my cloth. How do I spot wash so no washing stain is left behind when it dries? Myra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 There are people tall enough to do that? I mean, even with a chair? :huh: I feel very short. My mom did this. She was very particular about cleaning. And she is 6' tall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Oh, I don't wash my ceilings, but I will take a dust cloth on an extendable handle and dust them down once a year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLDebbie Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 The only time I washed mine was one place where the boys threw sticky toys on there and they left a stain. I've never even thought of ceilings as a place you'd wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 First I have to scrub the deer paths in my backyard. :) My ceilings are textured. Washing them would be ridiculous. If they get that bad (and I even notice - unlikely), might as well re-paint them. But, I'm sure I've heard of this before. Maybe just for kitchens or bathrooms. I guess if you knew you had some reason to wash your ceiling every year, you'd paint it with something that was easy to wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 That's the thing with flat paint, it's not really washable. Oh, no! That's not the answer I was looking for so I guess I'll just have to pretend these random circular patterns on my ceilings are part of my interior design! But looking around at my messy house this morning, the designs fit right in! Myra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreen State Sue Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 When my ds grew tall enough, he found great joy in jumping up and touching the ceiling. Now in certain light I can see all the marks on the kitchen ceiling where he touched it. I think it will get taken care of when we paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniBlondes Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I dust mine once every 6 months or so with a long duster. I've never washed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have only washed a ceiling once... when my ds dropped a jar of relish which proceeded to explode and leave a giant, drippy, sticky, rorschach test on the ceiling. Despite our best efforts, there were still yellow tumeric stains on the ceiling we could never get out completely. Otherwise, I sweep the ceiling off once or twice a year to get rid of spider webs, but that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have popcorn ceilings throughout most of the house (including a 30+ foot high cathedral ceiling in the living room), so no, I don't wash my ceilings. The only room that doesn't have a popcorn ceiling is the kitchen. I have wiped the occasional spot off the ceiling, but only when it's really noticeable. For pre-painting prep, I use Kilz if needed - so even then, you can avoid washing your ceiling. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I use a mop with a clean mop head on it to wash ceilings. If they don't look dirty, I use a dust mop that has a handle similar to a broom. I do this whenever I am in get my house perfectly clean from top to bottom mode, which doesn't happen often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have never in my life washed my ceilings, with the exception of a small moldy bathroom. I give you permission to not wash yours. :-) :iagree: Yes! The only other thing I've done is dust cobwebs, but they're usually only in a small area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrin Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Wow! My first "HOT" thread! Don't I get a sticker or something for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeemama Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 That's the thing with flat paint, it's not really washable. Exactly! I vac the corners when necessary, otherwise it will just get repainted when it's that room's turn to be redone. Oh and I do all my own painting, except for ceilings....my dad or DH does that part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenaj Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Our pastor has done drywall texturing pretty much as a full-time occupation for years and he would faint at the idea of washing any ceiling that has any texturing on it. We have swirls and all kinds of interesting ceilings in our house because when we built on a few years ago he let the kids pick their ceiling style. I've been instructed that you dust them lightly if necessary to knock down the cobwebs. I'm also not supposed to paint them. If they get old enough to be dirty then I should get them re-textured. We do have really old textured swirls on one-side of our house and we did paint them but I don't think we confessed that when he was working on the other side of the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I don't usually clean the ceilings, just the corners, lights and vents, but last year I did them with a dry swiffer on the swiffer pole and it worked very well! I'm short, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 There's only a few places I've needed to wash the ceiling. One was a rental with a bathroom with bad airflow. The ceiling molded regularly. It was a low ceiling. It didn't bother my mom but it did bother me, so I'd wash it. I have boys. I've had to wash ceilings around the house a few times. (What would happen if I threw milk into the ceiling fan???) I also have a 60 year old wall oven. I wash the kitchen ceiling a few times a year when the crud builds up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Bad idea. You'd only make it looks worse. Just give it an occasional dusting with a swiffer in the corners, and a fresh coat of paint every few years. If that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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