I have a wall that's painted a matte black color in multiple coats of high quality paint. It's a scuff magnet, and picks up dirt when people touch it.
On lighter colored walls I use soft clean microfiber, or magic erasers or similar. In my black wall, the soft cloth left significant wipe marks.
How should I clean marks on black walls?
I have some matte black doors and walls and from day one, finger prints and cleaning were a problem. Any type of wiping, even with a wet black cloth, will show streaks. Other finishes (from low sheen to high sheen) like eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss, have too much sheen and show every imperfection, even brush strokes, plus you lose that depth that only a matte finish can provide.
When attempting to clean a matte finish, you are actually rubbing the color and texture of the paint. Any other type of finish has a binder which self-levels on the surface, offering a protective layer on top of the color, similar to a sealer.
The best solution is to repaint the wall and then put a clear matte finish over it. Problem solved with low maintenance.
Unless a shiny finish is requested, we do not adhere to the rule of using satin or gloss paint on walls and trim in high traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom. We use flat matte paint with a flat matte clear in these areas. Flat paint adds warmth and depth to a room. Any other finish doesn't allow the eyes to see the true color due to the glare and reflective properties.
