Grasscloth wallpaper maintenance: How to clean your grasscloth wallcoverings

 

If you have already ordered and installed a grasscloth in your home or office space, congratulations! We imagine it has completely changed the feel and vibe to the space. So, now you very well may be wondering what is the best way to clean your new grasscloth wallpaper?

Grasscloth wallpaper adds a natural and textured element to your walls, but it does require some specific care to keep it looking its best. In this blog we’ll cover these relevant topics for how to care for your investment, with suggestions and answers to these questions:

• Does grasscloth wallpaper fade?

• Is grasscloth washable?

• What if I get paint on my grasscloth?

• What is the best way to remove wallpaper glue/paste?

• How do you clean grasscloth wallpaper?

• What to avoid using when cleaning grasscloth wallpaper.

• What’s the best cleaning method for cleaning and maintaining grasscloth wallpaper?

 

Does grasscloth wallpaper fade?

The long and short of it is: yes, over time.

The natural vegetable dyes used to create the colors of our grasscloth can be affected by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. We suggest protecting your investment with window treatments such as drapes or light-blocking shades to minimize fading in the room where your grasscloth is installed.

A few of our grasscloth wallpapers, such as the Japanese Paperweaves, are UV-rated and will not fade with time, making them a great option if you’re concerned about installing grasscloth in a room that receives a lot of light. Unlike any other items in our grasscloth collection, these Japanese paperweaves can also withstand the use of a slightly damp cloth to remove some spots.

 

Is grasscloth washable?

Because our grasscloth wallcoverings are primarily colored using natural dyes, applying any liquid or solvents will more than likely damage the product.

Some of you may be asking if Mr. Clean, or similar solutions, can be used on grasscloth wallpaper, or, what you should avoid using when cleaning your grasscloth wallpaper.

The most important rule to keep in mind regarding cleaning your grasscloth wallpaper: Avoid using any cleaners, liquid or otherwise. Grasscloth is not designed to be cleaned with any liquid-based solutions or soaps– even water. Doing so will very likely damage the material and remove the natural dyes from the area you’re trying to clean.

What if I get paint on my grasscloth wallpaper?

When it comes to preparing a room for installing your grasscloth wallpaper, there are often other workers on site preparing the space. To avoid any mishaps or damage to your grasscloth by other contractors, we recommend having any trim work installed, completed, and painted before installing the grasscloth. This especially goes for painting. 

Make your best effort to have the trim completed and painted ahead of installing the grasscloth. This will ensure that no paint spills or drips will accidentally get on the grasscloth surface. Purchasing an extra roll from the same dye lot is a great insurance against installation mishaps, or any future unforeseen damage that may occur.

 

What’s the best way to clean and maintain grasscloth wallpaper?

Dust regularly

This may sound too simple to be true: given that dust is the primary enemy of grasscloth (other than a humid environment, or your cat), regular dusting is the number 1 way to care for your grasscloth wallpaper. Use a soft brush, or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, to prevent dust from settling into the fibers and gently remove any dust.

 

 

Be gentle

Be gentle when cleaning or maintaining your grasscloth wallpaper. Avoid using abrasive materials, scrubbing, or excessive pressure, as this can damage the fibers. If you have a stain or spot on the wallpaper, it's best to consult with a professional for guidance, or feel free to contact us. As we mentioned earlier about our Japanese Paperweaves, a very lightly dampened (not wet) cloth or sponge may be used for spot cleaning. Test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't cause damage or discoloration. Sometimes, unfortunately, some stains will be too stubborn to be removed completely.

If you are still actively considering grasscloth wallpaper as something you want to install in your home or office, please take a look at these earlier GrassRoots blogs to help get you started:

- What is grasscloth wallpaper and why do designers choose grasscloth?

- How much grasscloth wallpaper do I need?

As you explore the possibilities of grasscloth wallpaper, feel free to reach out to a knowledgeable member of our team or order samples to get a sense of the options available.