Cleaners

• A wide range of cleaners can be used on knotty pine, from oil soap to all-purpose cleaners, from a water-dampened rag to an industrial de-greaser. The best rule of thumb is to analyze the type of soil you are dealing with, as well as the room. Ventilation also comes into play. You do not want to use an industrial cleaner in a room with no windows, as fume inhalation could be dangerous. It is also a good idea to spot test anything you plan to use in an inconspicuous area to be sure it will not remove any finish or discolor the wood in any way.
  
  

The Room

• The room that the dirty walls are in can have much to do with how they should be cleaned to get the best results. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most difficult to clean, due to steam and moisture and heavy grease deposits. These are the rooms in which you might be most likely to reach for the de-greaser; however, some oil soap and water is often just as effective and much gentler on the wood. Rooms without this heavy soil may require nothing more than a good dusting and perhaps some wood polish to bring out the shine.
  
  

The Finish

• Walls with a good finish are much easier to clean than bare wood. Varnishes wipe clean very easily, much like gloss paint. They are also less likely to be damaged by cleaners. Again, spot test your cleaner before wiping down the entire wall just in case your chosen detergent decides to take off the varnish, too.
  
  

Bare Wood

• Unfinished wood poses a problem because soiling can be absorbed by the surface, causing staining. When this happens, you may have no choice but to sand the walls down to reveal clean wood. Wipe the sanded walls to remove any dust, and varnish. Varnishing ensures that cleaning the walls in future is much easier, and also protects them from future staining and moisture.