How to Clean Baseboards
Do the baseboards last if you're cleaning or dusting the room., Move the furniture to the edge of the room and vacuum the floor., Use a small brush to wipe the dust off the top edge., Vacuum baseboards with vacuum hose and brush attachment.Use the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Do the baseboards last if you're cleaning or dusting the room.
Baseboards accumulate dust that is kicked up from the floor, walls, and surfaces.
Save them for last to prevent accidentally undoing all of your work.
You can of course just clean the baseboards, instead of the whole room, anytime.
Baseboards don't need to be cleaned too often, so it may be easier to just do one room at a time each day/week you clean. -
Step 2: Move the furniture to the edge of the room and vacuum the floor.
Get the basic dust and kick up anything under the sofa now, not after you've cleaned.
Give yourself ample room to work by sliding the furniture back
-- you'll need to get low to the baseboards., Get into the groove between the baseboards and the wall and knock off the dust lodged there. ,, Clean 6-8" out in front of the baseboard with the brush attachment.
Then run quickly over the edge where the baseboards meet the wall., That's right
-- a normal writing eraser.
You could also use a Magic Eraser or similar cleaning product, but a normal pink eraser is actually very effective at attacking scuff marks., Vinegar is a key, powerful cleaning agent that is all-natural to boot.
Dilute it with water to make it easier to use and less harsh on the nose.
You can also use a few drops of mild dish soap in lieu of vinegar.
If you're not sure if your baseboards are painted or not, click here. , Don't try and do the whole thing at once
-- water left on wood generally doesn't do good things. , Once you have an area clean to your liking, immediately dry it.
While forgetting once or twice won't likely cause any damage, it can cause issues for sensitive woods or finishes. , Get into the dustiest, dirtiest spots with a wet cotton swap.
You may need a couple, but they're great for the harder to reach areas., Paint acts a sealant, protecting the wood partially from moisture or stripping.
Most paint is also easy to accidentally strip away, as well.
When in doubt, use this following method to clean your baseboards to protect the wood and the paint. , Get off all the surface stains with a quick, easy wipe.
You could also use:
A "Magic Eraser," or similar stain/scuff fighting product.Wet wipes.
An old sock! Put it on a toilet cleaning brush/want and then dip it in warm water.
It looks silly, but you won't have to bend down as much., Use your damp cloth, work on a stain, then dry it off.
This is just a preliminary clean to make your work more effective, so don't spend hours on one stain.
Just get anything easy to remove off and make sure you've picked up the dust. , Mineral spirits are a great, all-purpose cleaner, and work particularly well on scuffs.
Use it to buff out any bad stains or issues, and wood cleaner will cover almost all baseboards.
Always open some windows and work in a well-ventilated area when working with chemical cleaners., Dip it in your wood-cleaner or mineral spirits and get in there to really clean everything of. , Cleaner left on the baseboards will just attract dust, letting it stick to the wet, tacky surface.
Wipe it away to make sure everything stays clean. , This little hack coats the baseboards with some cleaner and banishes static, keeping dust off the boards and keeping your house a little cleaner for a little longer. -
Step 3: Use a small brush to wipe the dust off the top edge.
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Step 4: Vacuum baseboards with vacuum hose and brush attachment.Use the brush attachment to protect your surfaces
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Step 5: and the long
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Step 6: pointed attachment to get into the corners.
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Step 7: Use vacuum attachment along the bottom of the baseboard where it meets the flooring.
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Step 8: Attack any tough scuff marks with an eraser.
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Step 9: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar in bucket or bowl with 4-5 cups very warm water.
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Step 10: Soak a sponge in the vinegar solution and scrub a section of the baseboard.
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Step 11: Dry off the wall with a clean rag as you work.
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Step 12: Use cotton swabs
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Step 13: dipped in the vinegar/soap
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Step 14: to scrub out the corners of the baseboards.
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Step 15: If you're not sure if your baseboards are stained or painted
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Step 16: treat them like natural wood.
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Step 17: Wipe down your baseboards with a damp
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Step 18: clean rag.
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Step 19: Dry the wood immediately as you work.
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Step 20: Wet a new
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Step 21: clean cloth in wood cleaner or mineral oil.
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Step 22: Use a cotton swab to clean in the corners of the room.
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Step 23: Wipe down the baseboards with a clean cloth to remove any excess cleaner.
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Step 24: Optionally
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Step 25: wipe down the entire boards with drier sheets (fabric softener sheets) to prevent dust build up.
Detailed Guide
Baseboards accumulate dust that is kicked up from the floor, walls, and surfaces.
Save them for last to prevent accidentally undoing all of your work.
You can of course just clean the baseboards, instead of the whole room, anytime.
Baseboards don't need to be cleaned too often, so it may be easier to just do one room at a time each day/week you clean.
Get the basic dust and kick up anything under the sofa now, not after you've cleaned.
Give yourself ample room to work by sliding the furniture back
-- you'll need to get low to the baseboards., Get into the groove between the baseboards and the wall and knock off the dust lodged there. ,, Clean 6-8" out in front of the baseboard with the brush attachment.
Then run quickly over the edge where the baseboards meet the wall., That's right
-- a normal writing eraser.
You could also use a Magic Eraser or similar cleaning product, but a normal pink eraser is actually very effective at attacking scuff marks., Vinegar is a key, powerful cleaning agent that is all-natural to boot.
Dilute it with water to make it easier to use and less harsh on the nose.
You can also use a few drops of mild dish soap in lieu of vinegar.
If you're not sure if your baseboards are painted or not, click here. , Don't try and do the whole thing at once
-- water left on wood generally doesn't do good things. , Once you have an area clean to your liking, immediately dry it.
While forgetting once or twice won't likely cause any damage, it can cause issues for sensitive woods or finishes. , Get into the dustiest, dirtiest spots with a wet cotton swap.
You may need a couple, but they're great for the harder to reach areas., Paint acts a sealant, protecting the wood partially from moisture or stripping.
Most paint is also easy to accidentally strip away, as well.
When in doubt, use this following method to clean your baseboards to protect the wood and the paint. , Get off all the surface stains with a quick, easy wipe.
You could also use:
A "Magic Eraser," or similar stain/scuff fighting product.Wet wipes.
An old sock! Put it on a toilet cleaning brush/want and then dip it in warm water.
It looks silly, but you won't have to bend down as much., Use your damp cloth, work on a stain, then dry it off.
This is just a preliminary clean to make your work more effective, so don't spend hours on one stain.
Just get anything easy to remove off and make sure you've picked up the dust. , Mineral spirits are a great, all-purpose cleaner, and work particularly well on scuffs.
Use it to buff out any bad stains or issues, and wood cleaner will cover almost all baseboards.
Always open some windows and work in a well-ventilated area when working with chemical cleaners., Dip it in your wood-cleaner or mineral spirits and get in there to really clean everything of. , Cleaner left on the baseboards will just attract dust, letting it stick to the wet, tacky surface.
Wipe it away to make sure everything stays clean. , This little hack coats the baseboards with some cleaner and banishes static, keeping dust off the boards and keeping your house a little cleaner for a little longer.
About the Author
Alexander Nguyen
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.
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