How to Clean & Repaint a Ceiling

Wash the ceiling using a cleaner that will cut through the dirt and remove it, leaving little residue. Try trysodium phosphate (TSP), which is designed to prepare surfaces for painting and helps break up the grime on a dirty ceiling. Dilute the cleaner according to package instructions. Soak a flat microfiber wet/dry mop, and wring it out well. Make sure the mop isn't soaked so the water doesn't drip back down onto you. Mop the ceiling. Rinse with plain water using the damp mop again. Let the ceiling dry.

Tape the top of the walls with painter's tape to get clean, straight edges and prevent paint from running down the walls.

Cover the floors with a canvas drop cloth to catch any paint splatters. Canvas drop cloths work the best because the paint dries into them instead of sitting on the top. Or put down plastic tarps with newspaper or old sheets on top to absorb drips.

Prepare your paint by mixing it with a wooden stir stick and pouring some into a paint tray so it is 2/3 full.

Line a ladder up so it is nestled sideways against the wall. Climb as high as necessary to paint comfortably but never climb onto the top two ladder rungs. Use a higher ladder if you can't reach.

Roll up a towel, and put it behind your neck to support it as you work.

Cut in with a brush to cover the edges where the roller brush can't reach. Work in 3-foot sections by cutting in 3 feet then filling in the area next to it with the paint roller.

Use either a short-handled roller brush or a roller brush with an extendable handle. Dip your roller brush into the paint tray's well, and roll it on the grid to spread the paint and remove any excess. Fill in the 3-foot area by painting in a zigzag motion then dragging the paintbrush in the direction of the door in overlapping strokes to give an even look.

Allow the first coat to dry for the manufacturer's recommended time -- up to 36 hours -- then apply a second coat in the same manner.