Material
Artex ceiling
Establish whether the textured coating contains asbestos before touching a mark. Leave uncertain or damaged coating intact, contain drips below it and obtain competent advice. Do not scrape, sand, steam, brush or perform a wet cleaning test on an unidentified coating.
- SurfacePorous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskMedium
- Reviewed6 October 2026
What artex ceiling can and cannot take
- Heat Avoid
- Water and soaking Not established
- Acids, including vinegar Not established
- Strong alkalis Not established
- Solvents Not established
- Chlorine bleach Not established
- Abrasives Avoid
General rules for artex ceiling
Establish whether the textured coating contains asbestos before touching a mark. Leave uncertain or damaged coating intact, contain drips below it and obtain competent advice. Do not scrape, sand, steam, brush or perform a wet cleaning test on an unidentified coating.
Check the label
Establish whether the textured coating contains asbestos before touching a mark. Leave uncertain or damaged coating intact, contain drips below it and obtain competent advice. Do not scrape, sand, steam, brush or perform a wet cleaning test on an unidentified coating.
Stains on artex ceiling
- Body oil Do not touch or clean an unidentified textured ceiling. Establish asbestos status before disturbing the coati...
- Breast milk Leave the texture untouched. Catch falling drips below it without pressing on the coating. Do not add water,...
- Coffee Leave the mark alone until the coating and asbestos status are established. Do not scrub, scrape, steam or pe...
- Nail polish Do not touch an unidentified textured ceiling. Keep the coating undisturbed and obtain competent asbestos ass...
Establish whether the textured coating contains asbestos before touching a mark. Leave uncertain or damaged coating intact, contain drips below it and obtain competent advice. Do not scrape, sand, steam, brush or perform a wet cleaning test on an unidentified coating.
Unknown chemical tolerances remain unknown. Use the maker instructions for the actual finish. A remaining mark is a reason to seek advice, rather than increase strength or pressure.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
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HSE, asbestos locations and textured coatings
authority
Older textured decorative coatings may contain asbestos. Disturbance requires appropriate competence; sanding, scraping and steaming are not domestic stain-removal steps.
Checked 6 October 2026
-
HSE, introduction to asbestos safety
authority
Risk depends on damage and fibre release. Keep possible asbestos-containing material intact and obtain advice before work that could disturb it.
Checked 6 October 2026