How to Clean Baseboards: The Ultimate Guide for a Dust-Free Home

What Are Baseboards and Why Is It Important to Keep Them Clean?

The baseboard is a type of molding placed at the bottom of an interior wall in a room, next to the edge of the floor. Baseboards run along the entire wall length and can come in various styles and shapes, depending on the design of the space.

Although they contribute a lot to the aesthetics of the space, this interior element is not only aesthetically important but also has a functional role in protecting the walls and floor. 

Baseboards protect the lower part of the walls and without them, the walls would be exposed to potential damage when cleaning the floor or moving furniture.

On the other hand, baseboards hide the joints between the wall and the floor, as well as any imperfections in those areas.

Because of their position, wall trim can quickly accumulate dust, dirt, moisture, and even marks from feet or pets.  Considering these factors, cleaning is important for the general hygiene of the space and preserving the baseboards themselves. If not cleaned regularly, they can become discolored, and mold can develop, especially in wet areas like the bathroom or kitchen. In the same way, dirty skirting boards will not have any decorative function – on the contrary, they will emphasize even more that the space needs a more detailed cleaning.

How to Clean Baseboards: Step-by-Step Guide

Below is a six-step explanation of how to clean baseboards that will give you effective results.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

A good organization is great for productivity, so before you start cleaning, prepare everything you need.

You will need a clean, dry cloth for mopping, another for drying the baseboards, and one microfiber cloth or sponge for wet mopping. You can use mild liquid soap, water, white vinegar, or baking soda for cleaning. The choice of means depends on the condition of the wall trim, more precisely on the degree and type of soiling.

When cleaning wall trim, you will also need a vacuum cleaner with an attachment for vacuuming narrow surfaces and a bucket of water, and you can also use a brush for cleaning hard-to-reach places.

Step 2: Dust the Baseboards

Before cleaning with a damp cloth, we recommend cleaning the baseboards with a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust. If the baseboards are full of dust, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This will help you clean dirt that has entered the pores of the cleaning baseboards or hard-to-reach parts. 

Step 3: Clean with a Solution

Continue cleaning by preparing a mild solution of warm water and a few drops of mild detergent or cleaner. Gently wipe the skirting boards with a microfiber cloth or sponge soaked in the solution.

What can you take care of here?

1. Squeeze out excess water from the microfiber cloth or sponge you use to wipe so it is not too wet.
2. Skirting boards can be made of wood, MDF, or PVC, so choose products designed for cleaning such surfaces accordingly.

Step 4: Tackle Stubborn Dirt

If stubborn stains on the baseboards cannot be removed by cleaning with a solution, it can be a little more challenging, but there is a solution for everything. Try removing stains with a paste of baking soda and a little water. After that, repeat the cleaning with the solution.

Step 5: Dry the Baseboards

After cleaning, be sure to dry the baseboard thoroughly.

To dry the baseboard, use a dry, clean cloth that will absorb excess moisture. Never skip this step, as moisture can damage the baseboard and cause various problems.

Step 6: Regular Maintenance

Now, you can certainly notice the result of your work, and all that remains is to continue with regular cleaning. Although cleaning wall trim can sometimes be demanding, every effort is worth it because your space looks neat and beautiful.

What Materials Are Needed for Cleaning Baseboards?

If you want to be well-organized before starting the cleaning, here’s a list of necessary materials to help you determine what you’ll need.

• Vacuum with the brush attachment
• Microfiber cloths
• Sink or bucket
• Bowl
• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Oil-based product (coconut, olive, vegetable oil).

How Often Should You Clean Your Baseboards?

Baseboards are often overlooked compared to other surfaces we clean.

However, if you want to bring your space back to its old glory, don’t skip cleaning and try to clean the baseboards at least once a month. In this way, you will prevent the accumulation of large amounts of dirt, and the baseboards will always look neat.

However, cleaning can be more frequent if you have pets.

Best Ways to Clean Baseboards: DIY Tips and Tricks

Are you looking for the best solution for how to clean baseboards while potentially harmful effects are minimized? Try following these simple methods that we listed bellow.

Clean Baseboards with Vinegar

Vinegar is often used to remove dirt, grease, and even stubborn stains from all household surfaces. It is a universal and eco-friendly way of cleaning because vinegar helps break down grease and grime. Compared to more aggressive chemical preparations, vinegar is non-toxic. In addition, vinegar has antiseptic properties, which make it excellent for disinfection.

How to clean wall trim with a solution of vinegar and water? Mix the ingredients equally and apply them to the dirty surface with a microfiber cloth.

Clean Baseboards with Dryer Sheets

You may have already come across advice that dryer sheets can help you clean the baseboards.

How to clean baseboards with dryer sheets?

After you have wiped the baseboard with a damp microfiber cloth, wipe it with dryer sheets. Dryer sheets have a thin layer of wax that can repel dust and dirt retention on the baseboard, so that you can extend the periods between cleanings.

However, we emphasize that opinions regarding dryer sheets are different: some people use this method, while others do not benefit from it and complain about the greasy appearance of the baseboards after their use. 

We advise you to try this cleaning technique on a smaller area, compare the results with standard cleaning, and then decide whether to use this method.

How to Remove Stains and Scuffs from Baseboards

Remove Stains From Baseboards

If baseboards in your home are not too dirty, you can easily remove the stains with a common wet microfiber cloth slightly soaked in a solution of mild detergent and water or an agent suitable for cleaning floor trim. After cleaning, use a dry cloth to pick up excess moisture, and your task here is done.

Remove Scuffs From Baseboards

Black scuffs from everyday shoes can be cleaned if you prepare the mix of water, vinegar, and baking soda. Use a microfiber cloth to clean and gently rub the mixture on the scuffs. 

Clean Really Dirty Baseboards

How to clean baseboards if they are really dirty?

Add lemon juice to the prepared baking soda, water, and vinegar mixture. In case of more stubborn dirt, repeat the same procedure several times. In addition to this DIY method, you can always buy a product specialized to clean the materials from which your skirting boards are made.

What Are the Best Tips for Maintaining Your Baseboards?

Dust Regularly

By maintaining hygiene in your home, you will significantly reduce the amount of visible dust on all surfaces, including the baseboards. If you include cleaning the baseboards in your house cleaning tasks, you will never neglect this segment again, and every corner will be spotless.

Use Dryer Sheets

If you like the method described for cleaning with dryer sheets, let it be one of your secrets on how to clean wall trim.

Install an Air Purifier

An air purifier is a device that reduces the amount of dust and allergens in your home. Less dust in the air means less dust on the baseboard.

Avoid Heavy Furniture

If your furniture is placed against the wall, it will build up dust on the baseboards and the floor, and this dust will not be cleaned because it is not convenient to move heavy furniture every time it is cleaned. Therefore, choose lighter pieces of furniture that are easier to move so that you can clean every corner of your home.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve answered all your questions about how to clean baseboards and helped make the process simple and effective. Remember, cleaning skirting boards will give your home a little more shine, and you will be satisfied with the result.

If you want professional help with cleaning, we can help you a lot. Below, we explain how.

Need Help? Get Professional Cleaning Assistance Today!

Chicago Maid Match provides professional cleaning services, and with our help, your home will always be clean and tidy.

Our cleaners are professional and dedicated to achieving the best results, and each of our services meets your needs. We can only be of occasional help, or you can entrust us with maintaining your home in continuity – the choice is yours.

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