How to clean vinyl wallpaper?

Janey51

We live in a rented old house with very high ceilings. The living room is papered in a white vinyl with a slightly raised floral design. The main source of heating is a log burner (previously an open coal fire) and the walls are now looking pretty grubby especially around the edge of the coving.
We can't afford to re-paper and I believe paint won't stick to vinyl so is there any way of cleaning it?
I tried just detergent in water and also Vanish but with no success.
Any ideas? I don't want to spend too long 10 feet up a ladder:eek:

foreverskint

I think white bread is supposed to be good for cleaning vinyl wallpaper You sort of gently rub the paper with it, and it crumbles and takes the dirt off without hurting the paper.

I'm sure someone else will have more ideas soon:D

Janey51

Thanks foreverskint. If thats the case....better invest in the entire bread stock in Aldi!

tawnyowls

Stardrops? Seems to work with everything else!

Janey51

Found a "recipe". Half cup borax+2tblsp soap flakes+1tblspn ammonia + i gallon warm water. Use neat in spray bottle.

Lord_Gardener

Or try Sugar Soap - it's what decorators use!