THE BEST WASHABLE PAINT FOR WALLS THAT CAN BE SCRUBBED CLEAN

A fresh coat of paint can easily give a new lease of life to your home. In some areas, a regular emulsion in the colour of your choice is sufficient. But for the bathroom, kitchen and other high-traffic areas, a washable paint could be a more appropriate choice.

As its name suggests, washable paint can be cleaned effortlessly with just a damp cloth and maybe mild detergent.

There are dozens of products to choose from, but not all live up to their expectations. Luckily, we did the dirty work for you. We’ve roamed the market, found and tested the most popular products. Check out our top picks below to find the right washable paint for you.

white washable painted wall

OUR BEST PICK WASHABLE PAINTS

Our #1 Best Pick

Dulux Endurance Plus

Dulux Endurance Matt Paint

Ultra-tough washable paint for interior walls and ceilings.

Low Cost Option

johnstone's kitchen & bathroom

Johnstone’s Emulsion

Budget-friendly choice – a quality paint for high-traffic areas.

Best Of The Rest

Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic

Heavy-duty paint affordable enough to use at home.

Johnstone’s Washable Matt Paint

Highly durable washable paint for kitchens and bathrooms.

Dulux Easycare Kitchen

Brilliant matt emulsion hides wall imperfections and is easy to clean.

Dulux Endurance Plus

A hardwearing interior walls and ceilings emulsion perfect for all busy areas of your home.

Dulux is renowned for always setting high standards for interior paint quality. The brand boasts an extensive range of interior paint products, some of which are washable. Among them, Endurance stands out.

This dependable emulsion paint boasts a tough and washable formulation that is about 20 times tougher than the standard Dulux product. Coming in a selection of colours and drying to a contemporary matt finish, this paint is ideal for hallways, kitchens and other busy indoor areas.

But its Diamond tough formulation is only one of the many features this paint displays. Besides the easy cleaning ensured by the washing abilities of the paint, we should also mention Dulux’s signature Chromalock technology.

Developed to prevent discolouration, Chromalock forms a protective film on the dry surface of the paint, keeping the colour brighter for longer.

When it comes to the colours, there are plenty to choose from. This product may not be the most versatile in terms of pre-mixed shades, but Pure Brilliant White is tint-able in the shade of your liking. With a quick drying time and virtually no odour, this is a perfect paint to consider for your home redecoration work.

Pros

• Superb coverage of up to 13m²/litre. The product comes supplied in 2.5L tins and is ideal for all busy areas of your home.
• Diamond tough formulation is 20 times tougher than standard Dulux, resisting scratching, scuffing and peeling.
• This wall and ceiling emulsion is capable of maintaining the brightness of its colours despite its washable properties.
• Contemporary non-reflective look disguises minor surface imperfections for a flawless look.
• Water-based paint is safe to use in all environment due to a negligible content of VOCs.

Cons

• Endurance comes in only a few pre-mixed colours.
• Colours are not always consistent – always be sure to mix multiple tins together.

johnstone's kitchen & bathroom

Exceptional features and excellent price range bring unmatched value for money.

Developed with high condensation areas in mind, Johnstone’s Kitchen & Bathroom Emulsion is perhaps the best washable paint for any homeowners searching for convenience. Being roughly ten times tougher than conventional emulsion paints, this product is less resistant than Dulux Endurance but is still strong enough to withstand constant wear and tear.

Resisting wonderfully in challenging environments, the product dries to a subtle mid-sheen finish that repels moisture and grease stains.

Convenient and affordable, the paint is delivered in 2.5L tubs and boasts a coverage up to 12m²/litre. A negligible quantity of VOCs makes the paint ideal to use in all areas, even in rooms that lack ventilation such as the hallway.

A slight drawback of the product is its low covering power. It usually takes three or more coats to achieve a solid colour result.

Pros

• Wide colour range allows you to find the right hue or palette for your bathroom or kitchen.
• Anti-condensation paint provides double protection against moisture and mildew. Ideal to use in all poorly ventilated spaces.
• Mid-sheen finish is easy to clean with just a damp cloth and mild detergent. The product also washes from brushes easily.
• The paint touch dries in two hours and accepts a second coat after approximately four hours.

Cons

• The consistency of the paint can be either too thin or too thick and getting flawless results is somewhat tricky.

Johnstone's Trade Acrylic

Water-based, eco-friendly washable paint for industrial and domestic use.

Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic is available as an impressive product developed for industrial use but affordable enough to use in a residential setting. The paint is supplied in large 5L tubs and is perfect for use in high-traffic or high-condensation areas.

This acrylic emulsion is technically developed for walls and ceilings but practically, you can use it on woodwork and radiators too. It covers up to 16m²/litre and boasts an impressive colour range with over 200 tonalities.

Obviously, not all colours come as ready-mixed emulsions but at least you know there is an option to find the colour of your dreams.

Trade Acrylic is a premium quality washable paint that delivers utmost value for money. Tough and durable, this product is easy to apply and has a very low content of volatile organic compounds.

Pros

• Tough, matt finish has a velvety look and disguises surface imperfections while resisting condensation, stains and yellowing.
• Thanks to a quick drying time you’ll be able to apply a second coat in only 4 hours.
• Low content of volatile organic compounds make paint safe to use in all environments.

Cons

• Developed for industrial use, Trade Acrylic is more expensive than standard wall emulsion.

johnstone's washable matt paint

A reliable moisture resistant paint. It can be easily wiped clean whenever needed.

Johnstone’s Washable Matt Paint presents itself as a highly durable emulsion formulated to withstand stains and moisture. It is perfect to use in high-condensation areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, but it can also make a bold statement in a hallway or kid’s room.

This washable paint is praised by homeowners as one of the most reliable. Just wipe away stains with a damp cloth to restore the brightness of the product.

One thing we liked is the generous range of colours. There are 31 shades to choose from, including a selection of neutral tones and a choice of bolder hues which you could use on a feature wall.

You’ll also like the water-based formulation of the paint. The product is non-toxic and safe to use in enclosed environments such as a tiny service bathroom with poor ventilation, or even in the hallway.

Pros

• Johnstone’s Washable Matt Paint covers up to 12m²/litre and has a great covering power. Two coats are usually enough to achieve satisfactory results.
• Thanks to a quick drying time you’ll be able to recoat the product after approximately 4 hours.
• Excellent consistency allows for a mess-free application.
• Hardwearing formula resists scratches and scuffing but also moisture and stains. Cleaning the dry film is a breeze.
• Low odour and low VOCs formula ensure an overall pleasant experience.

Cons

• It is quite hard to achieve smooth results, even with a roller.

dulux easycare kitchen

Speciality kitchen paint suitable to use in a variety of different environments.

Dulux Easycare Kitchen is another washable paint to consider if you have condensation problems or if the kids keep showcasing their artistic abilities on your walls. Washable and cleanable, the product is developed specifically to withstand the most common kitchen stains and is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth and perhaps mild detergent for the most stubborn stains.

This emulsion for walls and ceilings is easy to apply with a brush or roller thanks to its optimal consistency. However, the covering power is not so great – and you might have to apply three or more coats to achieve your desired result.

To counterweight this is the generous colour range which includes neutral hues and bold tonalities. All colours included in the range dry to a contemporary matt finish that disguises minor wall imperfections for a smooth, flawless result.

Perhaps the most appreciated feature is the colour brightness over time, ensured by Dulux’s Chromalock technology. Undoubtedly, this is a reliable paint to consider if you’re after a washable and low maintenance product.

Pros

• Washable no-fade paint withstands cooking grease and stains. It is perfect to use in all busy areas of your home and in your kid’s rooms.
• Easycare is about 10 times tougher than the standard Dulux emulsion.
• Contemporary matt finish disguises minor wall imperfections for a smooth, flawless result.
• Paint comes in a range of 20 colours and covers up to 13m²/litre. A second coat can be applied after approximately 4 hours.

Cons

• When painted, the shades are sometimes slightly different than expected. We recommend asking for a sample before buying in bulk.