How to Clean a Popcorn Ceiling in 4 Easy Steps
Help your popcorn ceiling “pop” with cleanliness
- Vacuum cleaner, soft-bristled broom, or feather duster
- Drop cloths or a plastic tarp
- Spray bottle
- Sponge
- Step ladder
- Dish soap
- Stain-blocking oil primer
- Ceiling paint
Known for their texture and look, popcorn ceilings have been around since the 1950s. But just because your popcorn ceiling may have been around for a while doesn’t mean it has to look like it. Though popcorn ceilings are notorious for collecting dust and stains, you can easily make yours look new again. Follow these four simple steps to revive your ceiling.
Prepping to Clean the Ceiling
Before you start cleaning your popcorn ceiling, make sure it’s safe to do so. Popcorn ceilings installed before the 1980s may have asbestos, so find out when your home was built or renovated.
Taking safety precautions is important since asbestos is unsafe when inhaled, and debris or fallout may expose you to it. If you know that your home was built before the 1980s, have a local asbestos testing contractor test your ceiling for asbestos.
Cover the Floor
Place drop cloths or a plastic tarp to catch any dust or debris that may fall as you clean your ceiling, covering the entire floor to ensure easy cleanup afterward. You’ll want to cover up, too—wear a face mask, protective goggles, and gloves to limit your exposure to debris.
Clear Dust and Cobwebs
Next, remove any dust or cobwebs that may have built up over time. Place your step ladder in a secure position to give you steady footing as you work. If you have a high ceiling, ask someone to help you secure the ladder as you step onto it.
Using the brush attachment on your vacuum, gently clean all parts of the ceiling, making sure to avoid scraping it. If you prefer, you can also use a feather duster or a broom with soft bristles instead.
Remove the Stains
Tackle stains by spot-treating each one. Fill a spray bottle with one quart of warm water and one teaspoon of dish soap, and mix thoroughly. Spray the mixture on visible stains and dab lightly with a sponge until the discoloration comes off. Just make sure to avoid spraying too much of the mixture, as dampness can cause the ceiling to crumble. Repeat this with all stains and let dry overnight.
If you find that the stains are stubborn, treat them with a mixture of one part bleach to four parts water. However, you should never mix this with your dish soap mixture. Be especially careful when handling the bleach and keep your face mask, goggles, and gloves on, as inhaling or touching it can cause irritation. Apply the solution to the remaining stains and dab gently with a sponge, then wait a few hours to let the bleach set. Open the windows and use any room fans you have on hand to help the ceiling dry completely while ventilating the bleach smell.
Once enough time has passed, check to see if the stains have disappeared. If there are any remaining, add a little more bleach to the mixture and spray it again.
Touch Up Lingering Spots
Photo: Paula GC / Adobe StockFor pesky stains that won’t go away, you can use paint to refresh the ceiling and make it look new again. Select paint that matches the color of your ceiling for a seamless touchup. Prepare the spots with a stain-blocking oil primer, and let it dry completely. Afterward, use a thick-nap paint roller to cover the stains with the paint. Popcorn ceilings require more paint than flat ceilings, so make sure you have enough paint on hand if you plan to do more than a few touchups.
DIY Cleaning vs. Hiring a Pro
While cleaning a popcorn ceiling with a few stains is fairly simple, it becomes more challenging if you’re dealing with tougher, set-in stains. The bumpy surface is delicate, so if you have a ceiling that requires deeper cleaning, you may want to consider hiring a professional.
"I generally advise homeowners to DIY this task due to the amount of time, energy, and money spent to perform the cleaning,” says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “However, if the ceiling has many stains, homeowners should consider hiring a company that not only professionally cleans these types of ceilings, but can also repair any damage caused during cleaning."
If you plan on doing the cleaning yourself, the supplies will cost about $56. If you prefer to have a professional take over, you can decide between hiring a local cleaner or an interior painter near you. House cleaning rates typically cost around $150 to $300 for walls and ceilings. Meanwhile, a popcorn ceiling paint job costs $1 to $3 per square foot, so covering a standard 16x20-foot living room ceiling would run between $320 to $960.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your popcorn ceiling has noticeable cracks, you may want to have it checked by a professional before cleaning it. Adding any moisture or disturbing the ceiling may worsen the cracks, so find out if your ceiling needs to be repaired by a local contractor before cleaning.
Popcorn ceilings can be relatively easy to keep clean with regular maintenance. Avoid exposing it to smoke if possible—popcorn ceilings tend to collect stains from smoke, including those from cigarettes or cooking. With proper care, you can clean your popcorn ceiling anywhere from every six months to a year—or as needed.
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