Best washable paint: how to clean a painted wall

Washable paint is certainly useful if any aspiring child artists decide to draw on your walls. With its durable finish, it's a popular choice of paint in kitchens and hallways, where splash stains or scuff marks can be commonplace.

We've tested the most popular matt emulsion paints from B&Q, Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Lick, Little Greene and more, to find the best paint for walls that can be washed and cleaned without damage.

The best washable paints we found lasted through all our cleaning tests without peeling or flaking. We also have one Great Value recommendation that has fantastic durability and cost less than £20 for 2.5 litres. 

The best washable paint

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The washable paints we tested

All the washable paints we tested are listed in alphabetical order below. 

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Crown Easyclean Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested December 2021

Need to know Available in 48 shades

Dulux Easycare Washable & Tough Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested December 2021

Need to know Available in 61 shades

Farrow & Ball Dead Flat

Available from Farrow & Ball (£79), The Paint Shed (£79)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 291 shades

Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 293 shades

Fired Earth Matt Emulsion

Available from Fired Earth (£51.50) 

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Most recently tested December 2021

Need to know Available in 120 shades

Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint

Available from Frenchic (£42.95)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 151 shades

GoodHome Tough & Durable Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 60 shades

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Homebase Tough & Durable Matt Paint

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Most recently tested December 2021

Need to know Available in 56 shades

Johnstone's Washable Matt Paint

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Most recently tested December 2021

Need to know Available in 31 shades

Lick Matt

Available from Lick (£45)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 101 shades

Mylands Marble Matt Emulsion

Available from Mylands (£64.50)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 178 shades

The Little Greene Paint Company Intelligent Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in over 200 shades

Valspar Premium Walls & Ceilings, Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested May 2023

Wickes Tough & Washable Matt Emulsion

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Most recently tested May 2023

Need to know Available in 48 shades

How we test washable paint

We test the most popular white matt emulsion paints available in a 2.5-litre size. If a brand offers a durable and washable version of the paint, we pick that option. We purchase all the paint that we test. 

We regularly revisit the washable paint on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do.

Preparing the test

• We paint sheets of plasterboard with two coats of yellow matt emulsion paint. This serves as the undercoat. 
• Once this had thoroughly dried, we paint labelled squares with the various white paints. 
• We paint two coats of each white emulsion paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

The test

For the test, we dirty and then clean each paint square with warm soapy water and a non-scratch sponge. Each paint square is washed five times, with stains applied after each round of cleaning in the following order:

• No stain
• Smiley face drawn with red crayon
• Smiley face drawn with red pencil
• A fingerprint of melted chocolate 
• A question mark drawn with a permanent marker pen

After each clean, we examine the square to see if there is any colour fading, flaking, breakages or peeling.

The best paint for walls never loses its colour, flakes or peels. However, the worst paints peel away from the wall like clingfilm or fade so much we can see the yellow beneath.

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How to clean painted walls

The best paint for walls should allow you to clean your wall without damaging the paint. Here's how to get rid of any stains or scuffs:

• First dust the wall to remove grime, dust and loose dirt. 
• Use a soft sponge or cloth and warm soapy water to gently clean the wall.
• Don't oversoak your sponge. 
• For stubborn marks, leave the soapy solution for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off with clean water.

Looking for expert DIY advice? Find out how to paint a room, how to hang wallpaper or how to plaster a wall 

Plus, discover how to renovate your kitchen on a budget, or update your bathroom on a budget

Different types of paint finishes compared

Many brands have their own versions and names for their paint finishes, but for the most part the different types are widely known as matt, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. 

How to dispose of paint 

If you have any leftover paint, you'll need to dispose of it responsibly. As it's liquid waste, it can't go to landfill. It definitely shouldn't be poured down the drain, as it can cause damage to the environment. 

Any half-used cans can go to groups such as Community Repaint who redistribute it at an affordable cost. 

If you can't donate your leftover paint, you'll need to harden it before taking it to a Recycling Centre. You can do this by using a paint hardener, or adding sawdust, sand or soil to the tin. Leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry. 

Find your nearest recycling point at Recycle Now. 

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