Baseboards (or skirting boards) are undoubtedly the most overlooked parts of a home. And since most people do not know the best way to clean baseboards, these usually get so dirty and grimy over time. In fact, most of us do not even notice how dirty our baseboards have become until we drop something, or are forced to give the house a once-over.

 

Why Should You Keep ’em Clean:

However, cleaning baseboards is not something that you should overlook or neglect. While other people and even yourself may not notice or comment about your sparkling clean baseboards, the positive effects that they have on the appearance of your home is undeniable. You may keep your house in top shape, but if your baseboards are dirty you’ll be left wondering why your house does not have that sparkling airy look it should be having.

Fortunately, cleaning skirting boards is quite an easy task. More so, you do not need any special chemicals or tools to clean these; even simple homemade products can do the job just perfectly.

 

We Are Here to Help You!

However, there are different types of baseboards; and each type calls for a specific type of cleaning. We have done research and experimented different cleaning methods, and in this article, we discuss the most recommended cleaning methods for the two most common baseboard types. Read on!

 

How to Clean Painted Baseboards

Most baseboards are painted to reduce the wearing and tearing that these surfaces experience. Some trim paints used on the baseboards are more durable and highly repellent to dirt over others. For instance, trim paints with glossy finishing repel dirt and grime, hence usually stand out much better than regular flat paints.

The type of paint, therefore, plays a major role on how your baseboards appear. However, regardless of the type of paint used on the baseboards, you should always clean them on a monthly basis since they are real dust collectors.

Materials Needed:

  • Vacuum Cleaner (with a brush attachment)
  • Sponge
  • Clean, Warm Water
  • Dish Soap
  • Empty Bucket
  • Cotton Swab
  • Clean Microfiber Cloth
  • Fresh Dryer Sheet

The Process:

1. Using the vacuum cleaner with a brush attached, vacuum all the baseboards to remove all dirt and dust. Vacuum from the top ledge to the trim top and along the entire baseboard length. Make sure to reach even the hidden crevices and corners, such as the area where the trim meets the wood/floor.

2. In an empty bucket, mix warm water and a generous amount of dish soap. Then, dip a clean sponge into the mixture and use it to scrub off all stains from the baseboards. Some tough stains and scuff build-up may require you to exert more physical effort to remove them.

3. To clean the hard-to-reach areas of the baseboards, dip a cotton swab into the water-soap mixture. Then, push it into these corners and twist it to remove all dirt and grime.

4. Dip a clean microfiber cloth in clean, warm water. Wring it to remove all excess water. Then, use the damp cloth to wipe down the baseboards and remove all cleaner residues.

5. Using a fresh dryer sheet, wipe all your baseboards dry. This will create a barrier that is less prone to developing dust, in turn keeping the baseboards clean and beautiful for long.

 

How to Clean Stained Wood Baseboards

Stained wood baseboards are popular for the warm character and elegance that they add to a room. However, these types of baseboards require special care and maintenance over most other baseboards.

Materials Needed:

  • Vacuum Cleaner (with a brush attachment)
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • Clean, Dry Microfiber Cloth
  • 1/4 cup of Dish Soap
  • Clean Sponge
  • Hot Water
  • Clean, Empty Bucket
  • Cotton Swab
  • Dryer Sheet

The Process:

1. Using the vacuum cleaner with a brush attached, vacuum all the stained wood baseboards. Then, wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth to remove all dirt and dust. However, be careful that you do not leave nay fibers in the splintered wood.

2. In a clean, empty bucket, mix the vegetable oil with dish soap. Dip a clean sponge into the homemade cleaning solution and thoroughly scrub all the baseboards (the dish soap cleans the skirting board gently while the vegetable oil functions to renew and polish the stained wood).

3. Use a cotton swab to reach the small spaces and crevices in the baseboards. Dip the swab into the homemade cleaner then insert its ends into the tight spots and corners. Twist the ends so that they absorb all dirt and dust from the crevices.

4. Rinse the sponge with running hot water. Wring it to remove excess water, then use it to wipe down all the stained wood baseboards. Wiping helps to remove all the dish soap residue, while leaving the vegetable oil to polish and renew the floor.

5. Using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, buff the baseboards. Then, using a dryer sheet, wipe all the baseboards to repel dust and dirt.

 

How to Clean Baseboards on a Routine Basis

Thoroughly cleaning your baseboards once in a while does not mean that these will remain clean forever. However, cleaning these on a weekly or biweekly basis can help you maintain your baseboards and lengthen the period between each deep cleaning process.

The following are three tips on how you can clean the baseboards on a regular basis:

  • On a weekly basis, wipe all the baseboards using a clean moist, microfiber cloth.
  • Vacuum the baseboards with a vacuum cleaner that has a brush attachment every two weeks.
  • Clean all the baseboards using a sock slipped over a yardstick. It is recommended that you use microfiber socks, as these usually pick up fine dirt and dust particles much more effectively than wool and cotton socks.

 

If you haven’t cleaned your baseboards in ‘ages’, you are not alone. Many of us tend to forget this when doing routine house cleaning. However, considering how dirty and grimy these boards tend to get, it is a good idea to clean them on a regular basis. Otherwise, your home will have unattractive, yellow and dingy baseboards.

This article has provided tips on the best way to clean baseboards; put these into practice and give your home an elegant, clean finishing touch like no other!

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