Sorry that is not acceptable.Find the dirty surface and use a clean rag on it.

First clean surfaces with soap and water (mop).

It's difficult to get the extra money for solid surface in a Formica neighborhood.

The Realtor I work with strongly recommends putting in solid-surface (i.e., Corian or similar) or granite rather than laminate for the countertop.

It can be so easy to focus on the things that need to be done immediately and push aside the things that at the surface level can wait.I wish I would have started delegating a long time ago.

do granite if you can find one of the independents with the tools/connections.... half bulnose/flat in a pattern and really common color.ikea has really cheap formica (almost to the point of per/renter  expandable) but you need a quick and good handyman.formica also makes solid surface (not just foil)... not sure how it handles a hot pot and knife cutting....you can also do really large porcelain/granite tiles (18-20"+ inches) with very thin grout lines...concrete can go with a very good sealer, and somebody who knows what to do.but in the end, you want something you can replicate again and again with not a lot of headaches down the road...continuous success

If I'd left all the right cleaning supplies, they'd not scratch any surface with anything random.Gonna try!

The problem that we see is that people destroy the solid surface stuff like formica, pretty quickly.

On the surface it sounds like you will be ok.

In addition to removing lower portions of walls, I recommend Kilz stain/odor blocking on all surfaces, even the ceiling.