Cleaning Smashed Bugs from Walls

Without a doubt, bugs are nasty little critters that no one really likes to deal with, and like to clean up after even less. It is for this reason, among a few others, that many people simply smash the bugs as soon as they see them. Unfortunately, there is usually a nasty residue left behind when someone does this. Cleaning smashed bugs from walls isn't all that difficult, particularly if you use one of these methods.

• Baby wipes. A great method for cleaning smashed bugs from walls, particularly if they haven't been smashed for very long, is to use a baby wipe. Simply pull out a fresh wipe from the package and wipe away at the stain. If the smashed bug has been there for a while, you may need to use a bit more pressure to remove the stain.
• Use a washcloth. Similar to using a baby wipe, you can also use a washcloth and a little bit of degreasing dish detergent to do the same type of job. However, when you do this make sure that you don't have the washcloth too wet, or you can end up damaging the wall. Wipe at the smashed bug using small circular motions, and you should have no problem removing the stain.
• Baking soda. Create a paste using water and baking soda. Smear the paste onto the bug remains, and then allow it to dry. Using a damp sponge or washcloth, wipe away the cleaning paste. The bug remains should lift off with no problem. However, for older bug stains you may need to repeat the process a couple of times.
• Vinegar and water. Mix a bit of vinegar with some water to create a very effective cleaning solution. In this solution (which you will be mixing in a spray bottle) you will only want to fill up the bottom 1/4 of the bottle with vinegar. Fill the rest of the bottle with water, spray a bit of the cleaning solution onto a sponge or washcloth, and then wipe away the bug remains.
• Magic eraser. The magic eraser type of cleaning tool is one of the most effective cleaning aids to have been created in recent years. All you need to do in this case is get the sponge-like material wet, wring it out, and then start scrubbing away at the stain. Use as little pressure as possible when doing this so you don't damage the wall. (Magic erasers have been known to remove paint if pressed too hard.)

One word of warning that you should keep in mind before you actually start using any of the methods listed above: Each method has the potential to wear away the paint from your walls. This means that you should always test out the cleaning method in an out of the way or less noticeable area before you begin to clean the bug stains. This way if the paint does get wiped away it won't be as easily seen as on other areas of the walls. In addition, you will want to make sure that you let the area of the wall you tested dry completely before you proceed to clean the bug stains.