Choose the Best Washable Paint for Kitchen Walls
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in a home. From cooking splatters to dirty little hands, kitchen walls take a beating. Choosing the right interior paint is crucial to make kitchen walls look fresh for years. Washable paints designed for kitchens resist stains, clean easily, and stand up to scrubbing.
Paint formulated to withstand moisture, grease, food stains and frequent cleaning will transform your kitchen. No more repainting whenever walls get dingy. Quality paint along with proper prep and application lets you easily wipe away spills, greasy splatters and grime to keep walls looking new.
What Makes a Paint Washable and Ideal for Kitchen Walls?
Not all paints are created equal when it comes to withstanding kitchen conditions. Look for interior latex or acrylic-based paints labeled as washable, scrubbable and stain resistant. Paint technology has come a long way, but many cheaper paints still don’t stand up well to cleaning. Kitchen and bath paints are specially formulated for wet, high traffic areas.
Higher quality acrylic resins create a durable, flexible paint film that allowsscrubs without wearing down the finish. These resins provide stain protectionby repelling grease and water instead of absorbing them.
Key Paint Qualities to Withstand Kitchen Conditions
Scrubbable - Quality kitchen paints allow you to scrub away dirtand stains without damaging the surface. Paint won’t wear away with frequentcleaning.
Stain Resistant - Resists absorption of grease, food stains, dirt,grime when properly cleaned and doesn’t leave behind a ghost stain.
Moisture Resistant - Prevents mildew growth in humid kitchens. Latexoutperforms oil-based paint.
Durability - Withstands heavy use without yellowing, fading orchalking over time. Finish won’t deteriorate or become brittle.
Prep Work and Priming Your Kitchen Walls
Preparing your walls properly before painting is a crucial first step. Thoroughly clean walls to remove existing grease, dirt and grime with TSP or degreasing cleaner. Repair any cracks, holes or imperfections with spackle then sand smooth. Sand any glossy areas to dull the surface so paint adheres better. Remove any existing wallpaper or old peeled paint.
Priming seals surfaces to create a uniform foundation. Primers improve paint adhesion and hide stains better for an even, consistent topcoat. For kitchens, use high quality latex or oil-based primers. Make sure to allow adequate drying time before painting.
Application Tools and Methods
High-quality tapered trim paint brushes allow you to easily cut-in along edges and corners. Angled brushes provide great control. Use premium bristles that hold lots of paint.
Paint rollers speed up application on large wall expanses. Choose rollers with a high quality microfiber or synthetic nap in a thickness suited for smooth walls. Load paint generously and use an up-and-down M or W motion to coat evenly.
Paint sprayers provide fast coverage but require tarps to protect other surfaces from overspray. Backrolling after spraying pushes paint into the surface for better adhesion and minimizes brush marks.
Best Sheens and Finishes for Kitchen Walls
Eggshell and Satin Finishes
Kitchen walls need a finish that resists moisture, stains and frequent cleaning without showing every flaw. The slight gloss of eggshell or satin paint provides scrubbability.
Eggshell has a silky appearance that hides minor imperfections better than satin. It cleans well but may require an extra coat for better stain resistance.
Satin paint has more shine, allowing stains to be wiped off easier. The finish nicely balances durability with attractive appearance.
Avoiding Flat, Matte, and High-Gloss Finishes
Flat or matte paints have no sheen and stains easily collect in the porous surface. They don’t stand up to scrubbing. High gloss finishes emphasize any imperfections in texture or application.
Flat finishes generally soak up grease and moisture. Without the protection of a sheen, they harbor bacteria and dirt in their porous surface. Frequent scrubbing quickly ruins a flat paint.
High-gloss paints clean easily but require a perfectly smooth, flawless application. On textured or uneven walls, glossy paint highlights every little imperfection.
Popular Paint Brands for Kitchens
Many leading paint companies offer quality kitchen and bath formulas meant for high-traffic areas. Brands like Behr, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams stand behind their washable paints resisting stains and frequent cleaning.
Behr Marquee Interior paint has anti-microbial properties to resist mold and mildew growth while providing one-coat coverage. Benjamin Moore Advance paint forms an extremely durable, high-gloss enamel-like finish.
Some paint brands have even created specialized kitchen paint lines. For example, Sherwin Williams ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex formulated for kitchens and baths or Benjamin Moore Kitchen & Bath.
Paint Color Considerations for Kitchens
White and off-white are popular kitchen wall colors for their clean, bright appearance. Soft warm whites like antique white, ivory or coconut white avoid looking too sterile.
If pure white feels too stark, consider light greys or beige. Greige blends grey and beige for a versatile soft neutral. Taupes with gray-brown undertones are also great kitchen colors.
Don’t be afraid to paint an accent wall in a deeper hue like navy blue. Just stick to scrubbable paint. The accent wall behind a stove or sink draws the eye while keeping other walls light and breezy.
Choosing acrylic-based interior paint specifically designed for kitchens helps walls withstand the busy space. Proper prep work and application are also key to durable, long-lasting results.
With a quality washable kitchen paint in a satin or eggshell finish, you can easily wipe away spills, splatters and grime. No longer will you dread having to repaint whenever walls get dingy or stained. Investing in the right paint keeps your kitchen walls looking fresh and new for years of cooking and cleaning.