Wall and Ceiling Cleaning
Decades ago, it was more common to clean walls and ceilings than it is today. Consumers usually hired professional painters because the oil based paints used then were so messy and toxic to apply. Those paints also lasted far longer than today's water based paints, so it made more sense to scrub surfaces than repaint.
Today, cleaning walls and ceilings can still be more efficient
and economical than repainting so often. Fatty and amino acid residues from cooking, smoking, and body oils act like magnets to collect microscopic airborne particles of soil, dust, bacteria, fungi, and dead microorganisms. In time, these build up layer after layer of sticky film on our walls and ceilings, further accelerating the soiling process.
Microorganisms growing in ceiling and wall surfaces can also cause odors and sometimes illness. Mold and mildew spores should be removed, not just masked, so cleaning can sanitize the surface and remove the source of odors. Dirty ceilings can also reduce the amount of light transmitted by as much as 10%.
Paint will not stick to greasy residues, so thorough cleaning is often necessary even before repainting.
-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com