Got kids or pets? Got scratches on your walls that you don’t have money to buy paint for? I do, and my kids ding my walls all the time. And use crayon, and marker, and paint… you name it. Don’t waste your money buying magic erasers! If your walls aren’t properly sealed, most cleaners and magic erasers will jack up the paint on your walls!

This is a trick I learned from my mother. It’s saved me hundreds of dollars on paint and cleaning supplies, and it really DOES work! I’ve used it on sealed walls too. On sealed and glossy walls, be very careful because it will dull paint just a little. This trick is excellent for corners, painted banisters, unsealed, non-glossy walls, and even hand painted furniture. Do not try this on sealed wallpaper. Do not use this on heavy gauges without applying spackle. The first part of this trick can be used on virtually any surface. Always make sure to test an inconspicuous area first!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

100% Rubbing Alcohol

A cake pan or any kind of bowl

A paintbrush, washcloth, or even a circular face scrub brush with a long handle

STEP #1: Pour some alcohol in whatever bowl or container you are using.

STEP #2: Dip whatever brush or cloth you are using into the alcohol

STEP #3: If using it to clean a wall, TEST an inconspicuous spot first! That is to make sure you know whether it will lift too much of the paint. If you know it won’t then continue.

Part #1 CLEANING: If you are simply cleaning a spot your cleaners haven’t been able to remove, gently press the alcohol into the mark and lift. If you’re only cleaning I do recommend only using a soft cloth. Keep patting the wet cloth against the mark until it’s gone. You can also gently wipe. If you scrub, you will lift the paint. Which brings me to part 2.

Part #2 TOUCH UP: If you are repairing a mark, scratch, or chipped spot, use a brush. Starting from an area above the offending spot, gently swipe down in short strokes. After 2-3 swipes, move to an area to the left or right of the offending area and swipe in short strokes toward it. Eventually shift to the bottom. The alcohol lifts the paint and transfers it to the brush. All you are doing is extracting paint from surrounding areas and transferring it to the spot that either has none or needs to be covered.

And you’re done! Let it sit and dry like you would if it were new paint.

Like I’ve said, I’ve used this trick for years, and so has my mom. It a wonderful money saver if you don’t have paint. As always be yourself because that in itself is beautiful. Feel free to follow me on Twitter for more inspiration and ideas! @flumpymonkey