We went to a web site on wallpaper recently, and the first page contained this quotation: "Since the earliest recorded times people have been decorating the walls of their homes. Recently, wallpaper has enjoyed a renaissance. People are now more selective in their decorations. No longer is wallpaper used as a cover-up for bad walls, or to not show soil, or to cover smudges, or to keep out cold winds. Wallpaper is now used to make a statement, to create an effect or a mood, or a theme, and to enhance the ambience of your surroundings. There are new decorative effects, new colors, and new and innovative designs, textures, and surfaces."

We agree, except for one thing. Wallpaper doesn't hide smudges. Whether a wall is painted or wallpapered, dirt has a way of showing up in the worst possible places. And, wallpaper can be difficult to clean.

If the surface is painted with oil-base enamel, just about any good nonabrasive cleaner can be used successfully with little or no scrubbing. Latex enamel is a little more difficult to clean and can be rubbed dull with some cleaners. A good quality flat latex paint also can be cleaned, but is porous by nature which makes it the most difficult paint surface to clean. The duller the paint surface, the more porous it is, and the harder it is to clean. In all cases all you have to do is spray on the cleaner, wipe with a damp towel, rinse and dry.

With wallpaper it's a bit more complicated. Paper is easily dissolved by water. And what is wallpaper? It's paper. Paper on the wall. Some wallpaper is simply nonwashable whereas some is washable or scrubbable. If the paper on your walls has been there for a while, you might not know which type it is. You might have purchased different types for several rooms and are confused as to which is which. If you have an extra scrap lying around, take it to the wallpaper store to see if they know whether it can be washed or not. If not, try our test method. Wipe the paper with a damp cloth. If it doesn't change color or appearance it probably can be washed.

Never clean wallpaper without first testing a spot in an inconspicuous area such as behind a piece of furniture. Even though it isn't dirty behind the furniture, you'll find out whether the wallpaper will take the cleaner that you intend to use. If clean paper holds up to the test then the dirty paper probably will too. Always test your cleaning method in a hidden area before trying it out in the open.

Vacuum your wallpaper frequently, and don't let it get too dirty before cleaning. The more there is to clean the longer the surface will have to remain wet. The longer it remains wet the greater the chance will be that it will be damaged. Again - water and wallpaper don't mix. Wallpaper that is labeled as scrubbable is either vinyl or vinyl-impregnated. In either case the surface is far less susceptible to damage than plain old-fashioned paper wallpaper. Scrubbable paper can be cleaned with a foam cleanser or a mild detergent solution applied with a sponge or a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Read the bottle carefully. Also, because paper is scrubbable doesn't mean that it can resist a flood of water.

Wallpaper labeled as washable is usually plastic coated. Washable paper is better than plain old-fashioned paper wallpaper, but it isn't as damage-resistant as vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpaper. Soap and water also can be used to clean washable paper, but the detergent must be milder. And the water must be used sparingly. Finally, the surface must be patted dry. Rubbing - even with a soft dry cloth - could damage this type of wallpaper when it is wet. Here's how to do it:

- Make a sudsy solution of a mild liquid dish detergent in one bucket and cool rinse water in a second bucket. This process has to be done quickly.

- If you intend to clean the ceiling, always clean it first _ papered or not.

- Next, clean the wall - FROM THE BOTTOM UP. Wipe gently first with the cleaning solution, immediately followed by a damp-sponge rinsing. - Pat gently with a clean soft cloth to dry.

- If an area is heavily soiled and must be cleaned again, wait until the paper is completely dry.

Non-washable wallpaper: Regular old-fashioned paper wallpaper also can be cleaned, but not in the manner you are accustomed to. For non-washable paper you'll have to stop by the wallpaper supply store and buy a commercial wallpaper-cleaning product. It's a dough-like material that is waterless and made to clean paper. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and, even in this instance, test clean a spot in an inconspicuous location.