Venetian plaster, also known as polished plaster, is an increasingly popular wall treatment. The plaster creates a decorative finish that offers a luxurious beauty to any space. Venetian plaster is strong, durable, and is the perfect choice for residential or commercial applications. But how should Venetian plaster be maintained?
You’ll be surprised to learn that polished plaster is surprisingly easy to keep in excellent condition for decades. It only requires the proper maintenance to keep Venetian plaster in good condition.
If you’re not sure how to care for your polished plaster, don’t worry! We’ve put together some tips on maintaining the luxury and beauty of polished plaster for years to come.
1. Check the Overall Finish
Once the walls have been finished and allowed to dry, they’re sealed with a protective wax coating. The wax makes the Venetian plaster waterproof and repels grease, dirt, and grime.
The wax should be replaced about once every couple of years. And if the surface regularly comes in contact with water, expert plasterers recommend adding another layer of protection with waterproofing or paraffin wax.
Before cleaning Venetian plaster, it’s best to check to see if the surface has been waxed or not. If not, the plaster could absorb water. In that case, water and detergent could damage the surface of the plaster. You may need to seek out the assistance of a Venetian plaster specialist. They can check the surface to see whether your polished plaster has been sealed with wax or not.
If the walls or surface have been sealed with wax, it’s safe to clean and maintain the Venetian plaster using household cleaning products.
2. What to Use for Cleaning Venetian Plaster
Cleaning a sealed polished plaster surface is pretty easy, but an essential part of maintaining a beautiful surface. All you need is a non-abrasive cloth and some mild detergent. Never use rough cloths or harsh chemicals to clean Venetian plaster, as these will cause a significant amount of damage.
Mild dish soap, an all-purpose cleaner, or laundry soap can be used for cleaning polished plaster. The key is not to apply the cleaning product to the Venetian plaster directly. Instead, fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of the cleaner. That’s all you need, along with a soft cloth, to keep your polished plaster clean and stunning.
You’ll need at least three clothes to clean Venetian plaster (or more, depending on the size of the surface to be cleaned), along with two buckets of warm water and some mild soap or detergent.
3. How to Clean Venetian Plaster – Be Gentle
The key to cleaning Venetian plaster is to be gentle. Venetian plaster is a beautiful, durable finish. However, it requires gentle handling to avoid damaging its surface. Scrubbing too hard or scrubbing continually in one place can cause the plaster to scratch or worse.
When you’re ready to clean, soak once non-abrasive cloth in the warm, soapy water in the first bucket. Using gentle, circular motions remove any dust, dirt, and grime. Rinse the cloth between each application of the soapy water. Follow this process until the entire wall/surface has been cleaned.
If you find a stubborn stain, try rubbing it gently with a bleach-free commercial cleaning wipe. Never use abrasive cloths or harsh cleaning chemicals on Venetian plaster.
Once you’ve removed any dirt or grime, get a clean bucket of water only. The water should be warm. Dip a clean, soft cloth into the warm water and wipe the walls down. This step removes any remaining dirt and cleaning product left behind when you previously cleaned the Venetian plaster surfaces.
Once the surfaces have been rinsed off, pat the surfaces dry, ensuring no moisture is left behind. This can cause damage to the Venetian plaster.
Now your Venetian plaster surfaces and walls should be clean and lustrous once again!
4. Maintenance
If you notice small scuffs on the plaster, these can be buffed away with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Use the cloth to make circular wiping motions over the area until the scuff is gone.
Every two years or so, it’s necessary to re-wax Venetian plaster. This keeps the plaster protected against dirt and water while adding lustre to the plaster’s surface.
While Venetian plaster is durable and strong, it can be damaged. In addition, walls and surfaces tend to settle over time, which can lead to cracks and other issues in the plaster. This is a natural process. No matter how the plaster has suffered damage, it’s essential to have it repaired right away.
5. Repairs
You may need to contact a professional Venetian plasterer to repair cracks and or chips in the plaster. On the other hand, if you’re experienced with polished plaster, you may be able to fix these problems yourself.
What causes cracks or damage to develop in Venetian plaster? Let’s take a look at some potential causes:
- Stress: putting too much stress on the plaster can cause small cracks to develop.
- Temperature: fluctuations in temperature can cause plaster to crack over time.
- Poor application: if the plaster is not applied correctly, it may develop cracks over time.
- Settling & time: Venetian plaster on walls may develop cracks due to the home or building settling over time.
The plaster can also be damaged by continuous high winds and external/internal vibrations. But the good news is that it’s not necessary to redo the entire plaster application. Repairs can usually be made directly to where the cracks or damage is seen. However, the repairs are best done by an experienced plasterer who has the skills and knowledge to correctly repair Venetian plaster. They can professionally repair any damage, maintaining the integrity and beauty of your Venetian plaster.
Summing It Up
Venetian plaster is a beautiful addition to any home or business, but it does require proper maintenance to keep it in excellent condition over time. Thankfully, maintaining Venetian plaster is pretty easy and only requires regular cleaning and waxing every two years or so.
And when damage does occur (life happens!), it’s best to call in a professional plasterer who has experience working with Venetian plaster. They can quickly make any needed repairs so your Venetian plaster surfaces look lustrous and stunning again!
