Drywall needs repair - Very unusual problem

Hi all, first time poster. Been banging my head against the wall trying to figure out how to fix this unusual and rather gross problem I am having in my house.

First, a disclaimer - this post is not fiction. I really don't know where to find help on this issue.

In 2005 I found a stray cat and took him home. It became clear to me very quickly why the cat's owner let him go - he is a chronic sneezer. All of the vets I have taken him to have not been able to solve the problem, so basically I've endured his projectile mucus wherever I have lived.

In the last couple of years, I've confined the cat to the basement area. He is healthy and happy, but there are parts of my house that he used to have access to that are now showered in snot. The specific things that need to be cleaned are the drywall, trim, and baseboards. I have made moderate progress taking a magic eraser to these areas, but it really isn't that efficient.

I do not want to rip out the drywall just to replace the bottom 18" of it, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what I could do - maybe some sort of patching method, maybe sanding/painting, or some kind of abrasive cleaning, I don't know. I can't bear the thought of having a home appraisal done when I know this type of damage is visible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated if you aren't grossed out or laughing.

 

Welcome to the forums!

If you can't wash it off, I'd try to scrape, maybe sand it off. Once you get the offending substance off, the wall and woodwork can be repaired, primed and painted.

 

Mix some OxyClean and water,make sure it is dissolved and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the areas and let the solution work a while then wipe or sponge it off. THIS MIGHT HARM THE PAINT. My experience is it usually does not. Then prime and paint. Now if the paint and/or texture on the walls is softened to the point it comes off you will have to texture then prime and paint.

I don't think this is as serious as you think. You might also check with the janitorial department of a hospital. They know what kinds of chemicals deal with what kinds of organic material that needs removed or neutralized. I don't think you will have to remove the drywall but it may need some repair before painting.

 

Guys, thanks for the replies. I hope this isn't as serious of a problem as I previously thought, its just that there is a lot of it within the confined area.

Will definitely look into the hospital info, that's a great idea.