The peanut butter & eraser wall rescue

You will need

• Clean white eraser (not coloured) · Officeworks or Bunnings stationery aisle, ~$2
• Smooth peanut butter (no added sugar variety works best) · Woolies home brand smooth, ~$3 — the oils are the secret weapon
• White bread (fresh) · Any brand from Woolies/Coles, the dough acts as a gentle abrasive
• White microfibre cloth · Bunnings or Kmart, 3-pack ~$5 — coloured cloths can transfer dye
• Sugar soap spray · Selleys brand at Bunnings, ~$8 — gentle degreaser safe on most paints

Step 1

Roll off the bulk first

Knead a fresh piece of Blu Tack itself into a ball and dab it repeatedly onto the remaining mark. Like calls to like — fresh Blu Tack lifts old Blu Tack without dragging across the paint surface. Don't rub, just press and peel away.

Step 2

Use the white eraser on any leftover grey smear

Gently rub the white eraser over the grey residue mark with very light pressure. White erasers are mildly abrasive enough to lift the oily pigment without scrubbing the paint layer off. Stop if you see any sheen or paint colour on the eraser.

Step 3

The peanut butter trick for oil staining

If a greasy shadow ring remains, dab a pea-sized amount of smooth peanut butter onto the stain and leave it for 5 minutes. The natural oils in the peanut butter actually lift and suspend the Blu Tack oil from the paint fibres. Wipe away gently with a clean microfibre cloth.

Step 4

Ball up fresh bread dough to absorb residue

Roll a small piece of white bread into a firm ball and dab it over the peanut butter residue — it absorbs the oils without smearing. This is the same trick art conservators use on delicate surfaces. Discard the bread when done.

Step 5

Final clean with sugar soap

Lightly mist the area with Selleys Sugar Soap spray and wipe gently with a fresh damp microfibre cloth. This removes any remaining oily film and leaves the paint looking clean. Let it dry fully before deciding if a touch-up is needed.

The stop point

If you can see bare wall surface, the paint has lifted or the wall surface is damaged → stop, you need a painter to patch and repaint that section.

Mendy calls tradies for you. Your first booking is free, then $3.50 a booking.

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