Want some advice? Don't ever, ever wash a textured ceiling .

[Paper Roses]

Yesterday I decided to wash the woodwork and walls in my den. A few hours with Simple Green and rags, looks fine. Of course, when you are up on that little step ladder, you can see the dust and grunge on the ceiling, even though it looks fine from floor level.

How hard can it be? Out with the rags, one rough chunk of old towel, one old diaper both for washing, one dry diaper to wipe down.

Well, I started this **** at 6:45 this AM. What a job. Soot, dust and whatever atmospheric grunge sits within the textured plaster. I have been at this for 5 hours and am about 2/3 done. I need a rest. Just took 2 Advil.

Some of the areas are either still wet or I have left some holidays that I will have to attend to tomorrow. I tried a floor mop, a car brush and all both did was dribble water and solution down my arms. I could figure out no way to do this except elbow grease. Good grief, I wish I never started.

If I have to go over it again for some reason, I will soak my dust mop in Simple Green solution, wring well and wipe it down as best I can. This up and down a ladder, over the shoulder work is too much for this old lady.

Going to pull the plastic tarp off the couch and take a nap. Finish the rest later!

[Warpy]

1. That's one reason, other than esthetics, that people

like to get rid of those popcorn ceilings as soon as they can. They just absorb everything!

I have no idea why anyone ever thought they were a good idea.

The next time you get a wild hair and pull the stepladder out, get a wide scraper and dust mask and start scraping the popcorn off completely. Then you can paint over what's left and it will be good for years.

[Paper Roses]

2. It's not popcorn, it is rough plaster of the type used 200 years ago.

The art of plastering was not refined when this old place was built. In keeping with the rough plaster on the walls, we(stupidly) had that duplicated when we redid this room about 20 years ago. Walls are fine. The ceiling--another matter. If I had the $$, I'd hire someone to come and put a finish coat over this stuff. Since this is real plaster and not some spray on stuff, I'd never be able to sand it down. I know how to do it but, not only would it be a mess but it would take me forever. I've cleaned up plaster dust many times and no matter how well you cover and block off things, everything would be covered with that powdered stuff.

I'll just curse a while, finish the job and hope I don't ever live long enough to face it again.

[Warpy]

3. Next time, knock the dust off and then use a floor mop to get the rest of the

surface dirt. Then repaint over the rest. It's easier.

[Paper Roses]

4. I so agree with you. Never wash this thing again.

[Adsos Letter]

5. They thought they were a good idea because the taping/drywall finish

on the ceiling didn't have to be a nicely done as for other textures; plus, in apartments, etc., it had a slight sound dampening effect between floors. Plus, it could be quickly blown on, and required no further tooling.

Other than that, I have no idea. As a painter for 30 years, I sealed and spray-painted quite a few of those puppies...they grab EVERYTHING, and they don't wash.

[Mist]

6. Hey, install one of those neat drop ceilings with nifty acoustical tile! JOKING!!! nt