Digitally Printed & 15/20oz. Wall Vinyl

Cleaning Guide 15/20oz wall vinyls

This cleaning guide is for our VU Collection wall vinyl as well as Sandy Bank, Main Sail, Silk Road and Studio 54 printable wall vinyl substrates. As with any quality product, proper care and maintenance will extend the useful life of your vinyl wall covering and help maintain its original beauty and finish.

The following general cleaning instructions will serve as a guide to normal cleaning maintenance.

Vinyl wall covering should be washed regularly enough to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating, and to maintain the original beauty of the vinyl. Depending on traffic (light, medium, heavy), vinyl should be washed from one to two or three times a year.

Stains should be removed as quickly as possible to eliminate any possible reaction between the staining agent and the wall covering. Time is especially important for removing materials containing colours or solvents such as ballpoint ink, shampoo, tints, and some foodstuffs. If soilants remain on the Wall covering too long, permanent discoloration may develop.

It should be noted that vinyl wall coverings should not be sprayed with wax or other protective coatings. Such applications would only tend to discolour the material, and, in any case, would offer little protection.

Ordinary dirt and smudges can be removed with mild soap such as liquid hand dishwashing detergent and warm water. If necessary, a bristle brush can be used to remove dirt from the crevices of deeply textured patterns. Clean from bottom, upward. Using a sponge, rinse thoroughly with clean water, from the top, down. Deeply embossed wall coverings need extra attention to prevent suds or loosened dirt from lodging in depressed surfaces. Dry Wall covering with a soft, lint-free cloth or towel.

Wall covering products which include a high lustre metallic finish should ONLY be cleaned with a mild cleansing agent such as soap, detergent, and water. The use of more aggressive cleansing agents such as acidic or alkaline cleaners commonly used in institutional settings may cause damage to the decorative finish. In any case where a cleaning agent is applied the surface should be rinsed with clean water to complete the cleaning process to ensure there are no residual chemicals left on the surface.

We recommend all cleaners first be tested in an inconspicuous area to insure compatibility with the wall covering.

Not recommended for cleaning are isopropyl alcohol, powdered abrasive cleaners, or steel wool, as they may mar the surface, causing an unsightly appearance. DO NOT use active solvent type cleaning preparations such as nail polish remover, tar, and bug remover, etc., as they will remove print and/or finish from the wall covering.

With proper care and attention, vinyl wall coverings will remain beautiful and serviceable for years.

A guide to disinfecting Type I and Type II wall covering

The following chemicals have been tested and approved for use on Type I and Type II wall covering products:

• Bleach 1 to water 100 minimum ratio
• Bleach 1 to water 10 maximum ratio
• Alcohol solution 60-70%
• Hydrogen peroxide 4.5%
• Spartan DMQ
• VirexII 256
• SR-22 Concentrate
• Sani-Cloth wipes

Other disinfectants of similar chemistries may also work but must first be tested on the wall covering in an inconspicuous area of the room to ensure compatibility. High lustre and metallic finishes must also be checked as they may be subject to discolouration.

• Proper mixing is critical to achieving the right concentration for effective disinfection and the health and safety of personnel.
• Wear appropriate PPE when opening and mixing disinfectants. At minimum, wear gloves and eye protection and cover exposed skin.
• Ensure that the chemical disinfectant has been stored properly and is within the maximum shelf life before mixing. Check the product label for the expiration date.
• For concentrates ensure that the correct proportion of disinfectant concentrate is added to the correct volume of water. Mix the required amount of disinfectant solution in accordance with label instructions.
• Always add concentrate to water, not water to concentrate.

Once a solution has been prepared, it is best to be used on the same day or it may become inactive.

Please contact us for additional guidance.

Disinfection procedure

In some cases, the walls might need to be cleaned with a mild soap before you disinfect them fully.

Apply disinfectant on the walls from top to bottom and from back to front. The time a disinfectant is in contact with the surface is important and varies with the type of disinfectant. Carefully follow the specific instructions on the label. Reapplication of disinfectant may be necessary to achieve the product label-indicated contact time.

Ensure that the disinfectant has had adequate contact time as specified on the disinfectant label. Note that the recommended contact time will vary by the type of surface being treated, and reapplication may be necessary to achieve the product label-indicated contact time. Typical contact times are 3-10 minutes (see label instructions).

Completely rinse the disinfected area with water. Allow surfaces to thoroughly air dry before utilising the area.

Ensure that any unused disinfectant concentrate and solution are either stored in accordance with the label instructions and the site-specific health and safety plan or properly disposed. Any small amount of unused waste disinfectant concentrate should be disposed of according to the label instructions.