How to Remove Paint Streaks from my Bathroom Walls

Over a year ago, I had one of our Hallco painters paint one of my small bathrooms with a very high quality paint called Natura, from Benjamin Moore. Natura is a zero VOC paint, which means it does not smell. It works pretty well in bathrooms, although I did start to notice some "aging" after the 1 year mark. The paint itself is not failing, but it is getting some funny streaks in the paint. This is pretty normal for bathroom painted surfaces. Streaks in waterbase paint happen from all the moisture when taking showers. Typically these streaks have a slight yellowish tint, which is released from the paint ingredients. One way to avoid these streaks would be to use oil base, but oil base doesn't smell too good! 

So, how do you get rid of these streaks? Well, yes, you can just repaint it, but who wants to repaint their bathroom every year? I sure don't! The best way to to make sure your walls are streak free are 1) Always use the highest grade paint possible for your bathrooms (don't go cheap) ie. A brand that will resist (not bullet proof but in most cases works) these streaks is called Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa. Selecting a high quality bathroom paint will just make it easier for suggestion #2 which is 2) Use an antibacterial microfiber cleaning cloth dipped in warm water. Don't use any chemicals. Wipe down the walls every 6 months or as needed and your walls should look as good as new. High quality paints are easier to keep clean than cheap paints.

Bathrooms do take quite a beating with all the moisture, especially if you don't have windows, like mine. Therefore, I recommend a fresh coat of paint probably every 3 years. Having a fresh coat of paint will help keep the paint looking its best and will avoid mildew and cracking paint.  

- David Chism, Marketing manager for Hallco