How to Clean Baseboards: How lengthy has it been since you last cleaned your baseboards? If your baseboards are white, dust and dirt tend to appear more on them. I have “clean baseboards” as part of my cleaning routine. Like most tasks, it’s easier to keep up with it instead of letting it go and cleaning it when you can’t stand it anymore.
One of the matters I have to perform every month is cleaning the baseboards. If the idea of cleaning your home’s baseboards seems scary and overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. On Wednesdays, when I’m already vacuuming, I also clean the baseboards. This cleaning job goes well with vacuuming because I already have the vacuum out.
I’m always surprised by how much difference it makes when they clean baseboards. It’s a simple job that can be done in a couple of hours if you want to do your whole house or in smaller chunks, if you do one room at a time. I can choose between THREE ways to clean. Choose the one that works with the simple ingredients you already have or with the person in your home who is doing the cleaning.
How to Clean Baseboards: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1:
Before using soap and water to clean your baseboards, you should remove the first layer of dust. If you haven’t washed your baseboards in a while, there is probably a thick layer of dust from sweeping and other day-to-day activities. I’ve found that using the arm attachment of a vacuum cleaner is the best way to clean and get rid of this layer of dust.
Depending on your dust, you can utilize the thin plastic attachment or the brush attachment. Just rush it along the top and bottom of the baseboard, and cleaning will be much easier. You can also use a duster if you don’t have a vacuum. You can also clean the baseboards by sweeping along the edges with a broom.
Step 2:
Now it’s time to clean up properly. Start by gathering your tools: warm water with dish soap or vinegar, a sponge or magic eraser, and a cotton swab or toothbrush. If your baseboards are dirty instead of painted, use wood cleaner instead of dish soap or vinegar, and for a gentler clean, you might want to use a sponge instead of a magic eraser.
Put your sponge in the warm water, rinse it as much as possible, and start scrubbing along the edge of the baseboard. Like most things, it’s best to begin cleaning at the top and work your way down. Use a toothbrush or a cotton swab to clean the corners and the edge where the baseboard meets the floor. This is where a bunch of dirt builds up. After scrubbing this area with a toothbrush, use the sponge to ensure you got all the earth.
Step 3:
Now that you’re done scrubbing, you might want to dry the baseboards, so the room doesn’t get wet. You can rub the baseboards gently with a clean microfiber cloth or just put a fan in the room to speed up the drying process. If you have to move furniture to clean the baseboards, it’s essential to wait until the baseboards are dry to put the table back against the walls.
Step 4:
The last step is not required, but it’s a good idea. Get a dryer sheet that hasn’t been used yet and lightly rub it along your baseboard. It doesn’t have to be used to scrub. First, the dryer sheet will make the clothes smell clean and fresh for a few days. There are also things in dryer sheets that help them keep dust away. Since dust won’t stick out, this can help keep your baseboards clean for longer.
Consider Other Cleaning Methods
There are also some other ways to clean that you can try if the first way doesn’t work well enough. By going through them, you can find the best one that fits your needs.
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Magic Eraser Method
Grab a few Magic Erasers (or your preferred brand), a bucket of vinegar and water, or warm soapy water with liquid dish soap. Dip the Magic Eraser in the bucket of your chosen cleaning solution and wring it out before wiping the baseboards, so they don’t get too wet. Use a wood cleaner with the Magic Erasers if your baseboards are not painted. Dirt, dust, grime, scuffs, and more will be taken care of.
The Wipes Method
Many people have one or two boxes of cleaning wipes lying around, which you can use to wipe down your baseboards. This is an excellent way to do things if you have a small house or are short on time. But you’ll end up with more trash because most cleaning wipes are only suitable for one use.
Broom Method
If the baseboards aren’t too dirty, but you can see the dust on them, you may need to give them a quick dusting. By getting the right tools, you can make this process easier for yourself. You can dust your baseboards with a small hand-held broom or a clean paintbrush.
If you want to dust your baseboards, make sure you vacuum up any dust or hair you sweep off, so you don’t step in it and drag it everywhere. If your vacuum has a sweeper attachment with bristles, you can use this to clean the dust off your baseboards.
Sock Method
Put an old sock over a one-time-use toilet brush. Spray the hose with the cleaner you chose. This cleaning liquid can be wood cleaner, dawn, and water, or vinegar and water. Rub your baseboards. Using this method might make you feel silly, but it works pretty well for light cleaning jobs.
Multi-Step Method
Maybe you just moved into the house and noticed how dirty the baseboards are, or perhaps you haven’t cleaned them in months because you’ve been so busy. If so, this cleaning process with several steps works well. It’s a great way to start getting them clean so you can clean them less later.
To start, use a clean paintbrush, a vacuum with a brush attachment, or a small hand-held broom to brush off the dust. Get a warm microfiber cloth or sponge and clean everything with warm water and soap. You might want to dip cotton swabs in water and wipe the corners.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are a beneficial product; you can use them to clean your baseboards daily. Just open a pack of wipes, wipe your baseboards a few times to get rid of dirt on the surface, and let them dry. Again, this method makes more trash, but it’s good if you don’t have much time.
