What do you wash a ceiling with?

First, dust is removed with a dry duster or mop. A ceiling with washable paint is wiped with a well-wrung cloth dampened with a neutral surface cleaner added to lukewarm water in the amount on the label. Matt ceiling paint is cleaned dry only.

Can matt ceiling paint be washed?

Matt ceiling paints do not withstand wiping; when wiped with a damp cloth, the paint may come off or a shiny mark may remain. On matt painted ceilings, only dust; if stains do not come off with cleaning, the ceiling needs repainting.

How do you get grease off a kitchen ceiling?

A kitchen ceiling with washable paint is wiped with a well-wrung cloth dampened with diluted neutral surface cleaner, repeating if necessary. Strong alkaline products such as degreaser are not used on a painted ceiling.

Guide · Floors, furniture and surfaces · October 20, 2026

How to Wash a Ceiling

Ceilings are often left off the cleaning list, yet cobwebs and dust collect in the corners, grease from cooking vapour builds up on the kitchen ceiling and humidity leaves marks on the bathroom ceiling. Before washing a ceiling, you need to know the type of paint: washable paints can be cleaned with a damp cloth, while matt ceiling paints do not withstand wiping and leave marks. This guide explains how to dust a ceiling, how to wash it according to the type of paint and what to watch out for on kitchen and bathroom ceilings.

First, find out the paint

Washable paint: satin, eggshell and washable emulsion paints can be wiped with a well-wrung damp cloth.
Matt ceiling paint: most ceiling paints are matt and do not withstand wiping; when wiped with a damp cloth, the paint may come off or leave a shiny mark.
If unsure, test: wipe a hidden corner of the ceiling lightly with a damp cloth and see how the paint reacts.
Suspended ceiling: on metal, PVC or plasterboard tile ceilings, follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

How to clean a ceiling: dust and cobwebs

Cover the furniture under the ceiling or move it aside.
Remove dust and cobwebs with a long-handled soft duster, a dry mop or the brush nozzle of a vacuum cleaner.
Start from the corners and where the ceiling meets the wall, then move to the middle of the ceiling.
Switch off the electricity before cleaning around lamps and chandeliers; for cleaning chandeliers, see the guide how to clean a chandelier.

How to wash a ceiling: washable painted ceilings

On ceilings with washable paint, after dusting, add START all-purpose surface cleaner to lukewarm water in the amount on the label. Dampen a long-handled mop or a microfibre cloth with this solution, wring it well and wipe the ceiling in small sections without pressing; then wipe with a clean damp cloth and leave to dry. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8. Do not let water drip from the ceiling and rinse the cloth often; a dirty cloth leaves marks on the ceiling. For walls, see the guide how to clean walls.

Matt ceiling paint

Matt ceiling paints do not withstand wiping with a damp cloth; when wiped, the paint may come off or a shiny mark may remain on the stained area. On matt painted ceilings, only dust dry. If stains and yellowed areas do not come off with cleaning, the ceiling needs repainting; for ceilings yellowed by cigarette smoke, see the guide how to remove nicotine stains.

How to clean a kitchen ceiling

On the kitchen ceiling, especially above the hob, a sticky layer of grease from cooking vapour builds up. On a kitchen ceiling with washable paint, after dusting, wipe the ceiling with a well-wrung cloth dampened with diluted neutral surface cleaner; repeat several times on greasy areas. Do not use degreaser on a painted ceiling; strong alkaline products damage the paint. Running the cooker hood reduces grease build-up on the ceiling; for the hood see how to clean a cooker hood, and for the whole kitchen how to clean a kitchen.

How to clean a bathroom ceiling

Shower steam condenses on the bathroom ceiling; in bathrooms that are not ventilated, darkening and marks can form on the ceiling. Wipe a bathroom ceiling with washable paint with a well-wrung cloth dampened with diluted neutral surface cleaner and leave it to dry. Ventilating the bathroom and running the extractor fan after showering reduces humidity. For black marks that have penetrated the paint and do not come off with cleaning, find the source of the damp and consult a painter or a builder; the ceiling may need repainting with a suitable paint. For the whole bathroom, see the guide how to clean a bathroom.

Suspended ceilings

Metal and PVC tiles: wipe the tiles with a well-wrung cloth dampened with diluted neutral surface cleaner and dry them; do not use abrasives.
Plaster and mineral wool tiles: these tiles absorb water; only dust them dry and replace stained tiles.
If you need to remove the tiles, follow the manufacturer's instructions; do not let liquid get into light fittings.

Working safely

Use a sturdy stepladder when washing the ceiling; if possible, work from the floor with a long-handled mop or duster.
Switch off the circuit breaker before working around lamps, sockets and electrical connections.
For socket and switch covers: how to clean a plug socket.
Wear protective goggles so that drips and dust do not get into your eyes.
Do not spray cleaner directly onto the ceiling; apply the product to the cloth.
Do not mix different cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).

For offices, restaurants and hotels

In offices, restaurant kitchens and hotels, periodic dusting of ceilings and suspended ceiling tiles and wiping washable surfaces with a neutral cleaner are included in the maintenance plan. In restaurant kitchens, ceiling cleaning is planned together with hood and ventilation maintenance. START All-Purpose Surface Cleaner is produced in 5 L packs. For product lists, see the guides office cleaning supplies and restaurant cleaning supplies, and for bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.