The best washable paints

If you’re looking for washable paint that spreads as smoothly as soft butter, this Homebase range is just the ticket. When we tried this, there was clear dulling if scuffed, but we were thrilled by how easily fresh stains could be cleaned off. Plus, this is very reasonably priced.

Johnstone's offer a relatively limited choice of colours, but it won't disappoint, and it dries within an hour. It has a washability promise too – it's the only paint we tried that entirely removes greasy foundation, with no change to the finish after scrubbing. Cleaning stains might get harder a day later though, so try to catch them early.

There are 33 colours in the Crown Easyclean range, and this bright white shade impressively remains just as vibrant after washing.

Tea left quite serious browning and we also noticed yellow marks after trying to remove curry sauce and foundation, so it's perhaps not the best choice for households that are constantly combatting heavy duty stains (e.g. pets and little ones), but for fresh washable walls, we’re fans.

Make a beeline for Valspar’s huge premium paint range of every shade imaginable. Everyday stains such as felt tip, mud, wine and ketchup wipe off effortlessly, with only tea, coffee and biro leaving lingering marks. It resists scuffing like a trooper, too. Plus, it's easy to apply and dries within an hour, with a subtle pleasant smell.

With its one-hour drying time, broad range of available shades and excellent washability, this paint is perfect for kids' bedrooms and high-traffic areas – and it offers great coverage with a single coat, and all at a bargain price. Most stains come off fully if the walls are washed immediately.

This Dulux range has a good selection of colours and a lovely consistency. Stain removal is a bit hit and miss though (the matt finish was left looking shiny where scuffing had occurred when we tried it), but don't dismiss it if you're happy to touch it up regularly.

Farrow & Ball is a cult favourite for good reason. Its stylish, true-to-colour shades don't disappoint and its ideal consistency makes reaching nooks and crannies a breeze.

The colour and finish are unaffected by washing and most stains lift off quickly, bar foundation and cooking oil. We find the paint dulls slightly when scuffed, but as for those earthy colours...swoon!

Earthborn's Lifestyle range is water-based, meaning it’s both eco-friendly and practically odourless.

Pricey? Yes, but the available shades are luxe and trend-led, and it dries in an hour. We're also impressed by how quickly most stains disappear if treated immediately.

It's the priciest paint on our list but this one is simply gorgeous. There's a massive 172 colours to choose from, meaning you’re bound to find 'the one', so grab some sample pots before investing in the right shade for you.

It's a joy yo apply, dries in about an hour, and everything from ketchup and vegetable oil to mud and toothpaste will come off cleanly, both when fresh and dried-on.

This is a worthy investment if you're keen to prioritise both practicality and prettiness, just be careful with wine, curry sauce and foundation – it's much harder to remove without marking.

This paint's perfectly balanced consistency makes it a joy to apply – and it's bone dry after two hours.

Washing the walls barely impacts the colour and stains lift off painlessly. Scuffing dulls the finish slightly, but the beautiful range of nature-inspired hues wins us over.

It's also an eco-friendly pick – it's extremely low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to air pollution. It's water-based and certified by the Toy Paint Regulations, meaning it doesn't contain any harmful ingredients and is safe for use in nurseries.

The chalky finish of this paint has a shabby chic feel, giving walls a hint of vintage charm. Though a tad pricey, it's super easy to apply and performs pretty much flawlessly, resisting scuffing and looking as good as new after scrubbing. It spreads evenly and far, too.