Material
Coving
Coving can be paper-faced gypsum, solid plaster, foam or timber. Identify both core and coating. Keep unpainted or damaged sections dry. Only sound cured washable paint may be gently damp-wiped after a test; do not soak joins or rub mouldings.
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskMedium
- Reviewed6 October 2026
What coving can and cannot take
- Heat Not established
- Water and soaking Use with care
- Acids, including vinegar Not established
- Strong alkalis Not established
- Solvents Not established
- Chlorine bleach Not established
- Abrasives Avoid
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for coving
Coving can be paper-faced gypsum, solid plaster, foam or timber. Identify both core and coating. Keep unpainted or damaged sections dry. Only sound cured washable paint may be gently damp-wiped after a test; do not soak joins or rub mouldings.
Check the label
Coving can be paper-faced gypsum, solid plaster, foam or timber. Identify both core and coating. Keep unpainted or damaged sections dry. Only sound cured washable paint may be gently damp-wiped after a test; do not soak joins or rub mouldings.
Stains on coving
- Body oil Lift free oil from coving, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and a soft c...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Where the maker per...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off coving promptly with a soft cloth. Use the damp route only on sound, cured paint explicitly d...
- Nail polish Lift free polish gently if the face permits contact. A maker-approved mild damp wipe can clear loose residue,...
Coving can be paper-faced gypsum, solid plaster, foam or timber. Identify both core and coating. Keep unpainted or damaged sections dry. Only sound cured washable paint may be gently damp-wiped after a test; do not soak joins or rub mouldings.
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.
-
British Gypsum, Gyproc Cove 127 data sheet
manufacturer
Identifies paper-faced gypsum coving, dry storage and sound dry backgrounds. It does not establish chemical-cleaner compatibility for every coving construction.
Checked 6 October 2026
-
Dulux Easycare frequently asked questions, Dulux
manufacturer
Previously researched washable-paint guidance supports a soft damp cloth and a little non-bleach detergent only on a compatible cured coating. It does not make ordinary ceiling matt washable.
Checked 7 September 2026