How to clean ceiling surfaces!

Friday, 29th April, 2011
Make cleaning the ceiling part of your weekly chores. By Harriet Birungi IT is that one part of the house that is usually cleaned when anticipating guests. The embarrassment caused by cob-webs hanging on the ceiling corners may take long to be erased from memory. They give an impression of a house not inhabited for years. Not to fall prey, find time to dust the ceiling advises Alex Muhangi a roof top cleaning agent. Know the areas you want cleaned. Will you be cleaning the entire house or just the sitting room and porch? Whatever your answer may be, follow a pattern. Start with the ceiling; proceed to the walls, furniture and floors. The ceiling is cleaned first to protect walls, furniture and floors from dust marks, which would accumulate if it were cleaned last. Mix liquid soap in water and use the solution to remove any stains. Dip a plain soft cloth in it. Then wipe at the stain on the ceiling. Then take another container with clean water, dip a clean cloth to rinse the spot that is already wet with soapy water. Clean spot by spot until it is clean before moving to any other room. Ensure that you do not leave any water marks on the ceiling. You can also clean the ceiling using a broom. Wrap a cloth around the broom and use this to dust the ceiling. When the cloth is dirty replace it with a clean one to avoid staining the ceiling further. The other option is to apply diluted bleach solution to the ceiling. After application of solution, use a sponge to wipe the dust and also get rid of the stains. To minimise any damage that may result when you are cleaning, cover floor, the furniture and your ornaments. To avoid double work, always clean ceilings before cleaning the walls and floors. Wear protective gear to the eyes and hands. Rubber gloves safeguard the hands if using cleaning liquid for the ceiling. Wear goggles or transparent cloth to protect the eyes while cleaning, more so if using a ceiling brush. Take care to ensure that no drips of water or cleaning agent run on the walls. Never rub cobwebs on ceiling or walls when cleaning. This will spoil the finishing leaving ugly marks on the surface. Make cleaning the ceiling part of your weekly chores. And give a thorough cleaning to remove at least every six months and apply a fresh layer of paint once a year. What you need A ladder or raised table so that you can see what you are doing. Invest in a pair of shades or goggles to protect the eyes from dust. A cob web brush is a must. But if it is not available, improvise by using a paint roller or a long stick, tie a clean broom on it, and use it to remove dust and cobwebs. A fluffy free rug, for use on the stubborn stains, especially, the problematic lizard waste which also sticks to walls.