How to remove black marks from walls?

Question

My fiance is moving from his apartment. He has lived there for 2 years. When he took his posters and pictures down, there were black dust looking marks on the wall where it hung (just the outline) and when we tried cleaning it off, it only faded it. I've tried several different cleaners and nothing works any better without taking paint off! Any idea of what it was caused from so we can avoid this in the future, and how to get them off?

Answer 1

was it facing the sun or a window?  If so your outline is faded paint and there isn't much you can do short of painting.

Answer 2

try those magic erasers

Answer 3

This sounds crazy but it worked for me...Take Scrubbing Bubbles, bathroom cleaner, and wet a wash cloth and spray some Srubbing Bubbles on the cloth. Then wipe the wall with it.  

Answer 4

Sounds like the ventilation system or smoke. Try the magic eraser or some TSP from the paint department. The paint is probably a flat paint since it's an apartment and that's not good for removing stains.Find out what it says in his lease about how often they repaint the apartment.

Answer 5

The black marks are from smoke. Did you burn candles?  I had a landlord who would not allow tenants to burn candles (it was in the lease agreement) as she said it caused black marks exactly as you've described. We had to use candle cozies/warmers if we wanted to release the candle scents. The only way to get rid of it is to paint. Sorry.