Is matte paint really washable?

In a premium line, yes. Aura Matte and Regal Select Matte are formulated to be wiped with a damp cloth without burnishing. A contractor-grade flat is not, and it never will be — that difference is in the resin, not the sheen number.

Can I use matte paint in a bathroom?

Yes, if it's rated for it. Aura Bath & Spa is a matte specifically built for high-humidity rooms and carries a mildew-resistant finish, which matters a great deal in South Florida.

Why does flat paint on my ceiling look patchy where I touched it up?

Flat burnishes — pressure or a damp cloth polishes the film and creates a shinier spot. It also flashes at touch-ups. On ceilings the fix is almost always to recoat the full plane rather than spot-patch.

Sheen comparison

Flat vs. Matte

Flat and matte look identical but perform very differently. A Benjamin Moore dealer explains washability, ceilings vs. walls, and which one you actually want.

Short answer

They look nearly the same and perform very differently. Flat has essentially zero sheen and cannot be washed; modern matte has a trace of sheen and a resin package built to be wiped clean. For walls, choose matte. For ceilings, choose flat.

Twenty years ago these words were interchangeable. They are not anymore. Benjamin Moore's matte finishes — Aura Matte, Regal Select Matte, Aura Bath & Spa — were reformulated to survive cleaning, which is exactly what traditional flat cannot do. The visual difference is almost nothing; the practical difference is large.

Flat compared with Matte across shine, durability, and use.
	Flat	Matte
Gloss level	0–2 units. Completely non-reflective.	2–5 units. Technically has sheen, visually reads as flat.
Cleaning	Poor. Wiping burnishes a shiny spot into the wall.	Good in premium lines. Wipes clean without polishing the surface.
Hiding flaws	Best available. Nothing hides drywall better.	Essentially the same. You give up almost no hiding power.
Where it belongs	Ceilings, closets, exterior stucco, low-traffic rooms.	Living rooms, bedrooms, and — in a moisture-rated version — bathrooms.
Price	Cheapest sheen in most lines. Ceiling flats are inexpensive by design.	Priced with the rest of the line; the performance is in the resin.

Decide

Which one is right for your job?

Choose Flat when…

You're painting a ceiling.
You're painting exterior stucco or block.
You need maximum flaw-hiding on a badly repaired wall.
It's a closet, garage, or space nobody touches.

We stock: Waterborne Ceiling Paint · Regal Select Flat · Ultra Spec 500 Flat · Aura Exterior Flat

Shop Flat

Choose Matte when…

You want a flat look on a wall you'll actually live with.
You have kids or pets but love the chalky, non-reflective look.
You're painting a bathroom and want matte instead of a shiny finish.
You're using a deep or saturated color — matte shows color depth better than any other sheen.

We stock: Aura Matte · Regal Select Matte · Aura Bath & Spa Matte · ben Matte

Shop Matte

Questions

Frequently asked

Is matte paint really washable?: In a premium line, yes. Aura Matte and Regal Select Matte are formulated to be wiped with a damp cloth without burnishing. A contractor-grade flat is not, and it never will be — that difference is in the resin, not the sheen number.
Can I use matte paint in a bathroom?: Yes, if it's rated for it. Aura Bath & Spa is a matte specifically built for high-humidity rooms and carries a mildew-resistant finish, which matters a great deal in South Florida.
Why does flat paint on my ceiling look patchy where I touched it up?: Flat burnishes — pressure or a damp cloth polishes the film and creates a shinier spot. It also flashes at touch-ups. On ceilings the fix is almost always to recoat the full plane rather than spot-patch.

Let the tool decide

Answer four questions about your surface, room, and wall condition and we'll name the sheen — plus the Benjamin Moore products we stock in it.

Open the sheen finder See the full sheen chart

Other comparisons