Tired of dealing with dirty baseboards? Learn how to clean dirty baseboards in just 4 simple steps using simple and inexpensive cleaning materials.
Cleaning baseboards are one of those cleaning jobs that people tend to put off for a long time. We often forget about the baseboards until they get so dirty and scuffed up that we have to tackle them.
However, spending a few minutes every couple of months to really clean them gives your house a whole new feel.
Be sure to check out these easy tips to reduce dust in your home, which can help cut down on the frequency of baseboard cleaning. When it comes to dusting other areas in our home, I use this DIY spray that works wonders and is cheap to make!
Cleaning Supplies You'll Need
To start, you will need a few items. You probably already have everything you need.
- dish soap or a natural cleaner like castile soap - You can use regular blue Dawn to make the soapy water but, I recommend using the castile soap on your baseboards. It really gets off the grease and grime better than Dawn soap.
- microfiber cloth or old rag - I love these mircofibers
- bucket with warm water
- Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - these are optional but they work really well to remove scratches once you have finished cleaning.
The Easiest Way to Clean Baseboards
Mix the cleaning solution.
Add a gallon of warm water to a bucket and 1 tablespoon of castile soap cleaner.
Wet and wring the cloth.
Once you get your soapy water all mixed up get the microfiber cloth wet in the soapy water and then wring out any excess water.
Wipe down the baseboards.
Next, wipe the damp microfiber cloth over your baseboards to remove any dirt and grime. Slowly work your way around the room scrubbing at your baseboards.
Remove scuffs if needed.
Finally, if you have small scratches or scuffs on your baseboards you can use a Mr. Clean pad to help buff them away. Make sure you always test the Mr. Clean pad in a small hidden area (like a closet) because they can remove paint.
My baseboards had some scuff marks on them but they easily came off when scrubbed with a Mr. Clean pad. You can see below the scuffs are gone.
Once your baseboards dry you are done! Your baseboards are clean and free from dust and grime.
While you are doing your baseboards you may want to take a few minutes to clean your door frame trim too. You will be amazed at the amount of dust that gathers at the top of the door frame trim. Just scrub down the trim and tops with the microfiber cloth. My door trim usually doesn't get scuffs like the baseboards do, but the trim gets a lot of fingerprints and grime.
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How to Clean Baseboards With a Bad Back
If you have bad knees or problems with your back this method of cleaning baseboards might be difficult.
If you can't clean the baseboards like this I recommend using a spin mop. I love using this method of cleaning the baseboards if I am in a hurry or my back is bothering me. You can see how I use it in these 5 ways to use a spin mop.
More Baseboard Cleaning Hacks
The method above is what I usually follow as long as I have the time. However, here are a few other tips that may help when you are trying to get the trim cleaned fast.
Vacuum. If you are pretty diligent about cleaning and don't want go through with a full wipe-down, use your vacuum cleaner. This works well when there's just a light coating of dust on the baseboards.
Swiffer pads or dryer sheets. These work great for maintenance. The dust easily attaches itself to the sheets and pads. The only downside is that depending on how many you use, or how large your home is, it could become a bigger expense.
Reaching the nooks and crannies. Some areas can be difficult, like the corners. If you need something with a little more precision, use a Q-Tip with the soapy solution.
Common FAQs
As a general rule, you should aim to clean baseboards at least once every three to six months. However, if you have pets, children, or frequent guests, you may need to clean them more often (once a month).
Additionally, if you live in a dusty area, you may need to clean them more frequently to keep them looking their best.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and dirt from your baseboards on a regular basis. This will help to prevent build-up and keep them looking clean.
Microfiber cloths are great for picking up dust and dirt without spreading it around.
Sweeping or vacuuming your floors regularly will help to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that ends up on the trim work.
Minimize spray cleaners since they can create a fine mist that settles on your baseboards and other surfaces, making them dirtier in the long run.
Pets can bring in a lot of dirt and dust on their fur, so it's important to groom them regularly. This will help to reduce the amount of dirt that ends up on your baseboards.
Dryer sheets contain fabric softener and other substances that can help to remove and prevent static buildup, which can attract and hold onto dust.
Get your baseboards looking like new with these easy tips on how to clean baseboards. You will love how great they look.
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