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Best washable paint
We tested Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Frenchic, Lick and more, to find out which
washable paint is the easiest to clean and most durable
Washable paint is certainly useful if any aspiring child artists decide to draw on your walls. With its durable finish, it's a popular choice of paint in kitchens and hallways, where splash stains or scuff marks can be commonplace.
We've tested the most popular matt emulsion paints from B&Q, Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Lick, Little Greene and more, to find the best paint for walls that can be washed and cleaned without damage.
The best washable paints we found lasted through all our cleaning tests without peeling or flaking. We also have one Great Value recommendation that has fantastic durability and cost less than £20 for 2.5 litres.
The best washable paint
Only logged-in Which? members can view the washable paint test results below.
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Washable paint
Durability after three cleans
Durability after five cleans
Where to buy
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Good
Excellent
Average
Good
Good
Date tested: May 2023 & December 2021*. Page last checked: February 2024. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*We've separated our older reviews from our newer reviews. This is because of changes in the way we test washable paints that mean our newer and older reviews aren't directly comparable.
The washable paints we tested
All the washable paints we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best washable paints from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendation below.
We test the most popular white matt emulsion paints available in a 2.5-litre size. If a brand offers a durable and washable version of the paint, we pick that option. We purchase all the paint that we test.
We regularly revisit the washable paint on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do.
Preparing the test
We paint sheets of plasterboard with two coats of yellow matt emulsion paint. This serves as the undercoat.
Once this had thoroughly dried, we paint labelled squares with the various white paints.
We paint two coats of each white emulsion paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
The test
For the test, we dirty and then clean each paint square with warm soapy water and a non-scratch sponge. Each paint square is washed five times, with stains applied after each round of cleaning in the following order:
No stain
Smiley face drawn with red crayon
Smiley face drawn with red pencil
A fingerprint of melted chocolate
A question mark drawn with a permanent marker pen
After each clean, we examine the square to see if there is any colour fading, flaking, breakages or peeling.
The best paint for walls never loses its colour, flakes or peels. However, the worst paints peel away from the wall like clingfilm or fade so much we can see the yellow beneath.
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How to clean painted walls
The best paint for walls should allow you to clean your wall without damaging the paint. Here's how to get rid of any stains or scuffs:
First dust the wall to remove grime, dust and loose dirt.
Use a soft sponge or cloth and warm soapy water to gently clean the wall.
Don't oversoak your sponge.
For stubborn marks, leave the soapy solution for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off with clean water.
Different types of paint finishes compared
Many brands have their own versions and names for their paint finishes, but for the most part the different types are widely known as matt, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.
Paint finish
About the finish
Good for
Matt (also known as matte or flat)
- Has a non-reflective appearance - Can hide slight imperfections
Low-traffic areas such as: - formal living rooms - dining rooms - ceilings - offices
Eggshell
- Has low lustre - Has a velvety appearance
Moderate-traffic areas such as: - family rooms - bedrooms - dining rooms - hallways - entryways
Satin
- Has a pearl-like appearance - Is slightly reflective
Moderate to high-traffic areas such as: - family rooms - kitchens - bathrooms - mouldings - interior doors
Semi-gloss and high-gloss
- Is resistant to dirt, stains and mildew - Can highlight any imperfections
High-traffic areas such as: - kitchens - bathrooms - doors - mouldings
How to dispose of paint
If you have any leftover paint, you'll need to dispose of it responsibly. As it's liquid waste, it can't go to landfill. It definitely shouldn't be poured down the drain, as it can cause damage to the environment.
Any half-used cans can go to groups such as Community Repaint who redistribute it at an affordable cost.
If you can't donate your leftover paint, you'll need to harden it before taking it to a Recycling Centre. You can do this by using a paint hardener, or adding sawdust, sand or soil to the tin. Leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry.
