The Best Way To Clean Baseboards

While we all make sure our floors are sparkling, the baseboards can get overlooked even when it's time for a deep clean. Unfortunately, they tend to attract dust, which means they might need a deeper clean than we realize. The good news is, cleaning baseboards is generally very easy. In fact, the hardest part is bending down to reach! But with a few tips and tricks, it doesn't have to be so bad. If yours are looking a little dingy, then take a look at this guide for the easiest way to clean your baseboards.

How Often Should You Clean Your Baseboards?

Baseboards are very easy to overlook. They aren't quite a section of the floor, but they aren't exactly part of the furniture.

So, when we dust and sweep, the baseboards go ignored. Even though we might leave baseboards alone, dust certainly doesn't. A lot of it falls onto the baseboards during the cleaning process.

The best time to care for your baseboards is after you've finished dusting the rest of the room. That way, you can sweep off everything that might have settled.

Baseboards don't really need to be cleaned that regularly. Once a month should be enough unless you have a large family and/or pets.

But it is best to keep them clean, otherwise, dirt and grime can really build up on the ledge.

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What Should I Deep Clean My Baseboards With?

Vacuum Cleaner

Cleaning the baseboards can seem like a lot of extra work, but it doesn't have to be.

Just remember to give them a quick vacuum when you've finished cleaning your floors!

Ideally, you should wipe the baseboards down once you're finished with the vacuum cleaner. But if you're vacuuming regularly, you only need to wipe down occasionally.

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are soft and gentle, good if you want to clean the baseboards and don't want to damage the walls.

You can purchase microfiber cloths at the end of long handles and save the effort of bending down to clean the baseboards.

This won't give the boards a thorough clean, but this quick wipe stops dust from building up.

If you want a deeper clean, start with a dry wipe, then spray the cloth with your cleaner of choice, and give the baseboards another brush.

Brushes Or Brooms

The house should be cleaned from the top down, as that's how the dust settles.

Give your baseboards a brush over before you vacuum, and then you can pick up the remaining dust as you clean the floor.

A soft bristle brush is best, as it protects both your baseboards and your walls. To really get into those small ledges, try using a paintbrush.

Magic Erasers

Baseboards can get stained, especially if someone in your household uses them to get their shoes off.

The magic eraser really does feel magical on this occasion, as it can get rid of those stains in moments.

Mix together some warm water and dish soap, and dip your magic eraser. Buff out any stains, and dry with a microfiber cloth.

The magic eraser is perhaps the most thorough method for regularly cleaning the baseboards.

Baby Wipes

Every lazy cleaner is probably aware of just how useful the baby wipe is.

Giving your baseboards a quick wipe down will leave them looking clean and almost sparkling, with very little extra to clean up.

The biggest downside to the baby wipe is that it creates waste, so look for environmentally friendly bamboo wipes.

Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are a versatile cleaning product, and they can be employed to keep your baseboards dust-free.

Wipe a fabric softener sheet over the baseboards, and you can catch the dirt and hairs that have attached themselves to that baseboard ledge.

Dryer sheets also smell nice, and leave behind a dust repelling layer to keep the boards clean for longer.

Try wrapping the dryer sheets around a broom or Swiffer broom, to save yourself from bending down.

Socks

Socks can essentially work in the same way as a microfiber cloth but have the advantage of wrapping easily around the end of a broom.

Grab your (clean) sock, loop it over the broom head, and spritz with your favorite cleaning solution. Wipe over your baseboards for a quick clean.

Top Baseboard Mops And Dusters Of 2022

• Baseboard Buddy Cleaning Tool
• Simple Tile Scrubbing Mop
• Chomp Long Handle Dust Mop
• 89 Inch Wall/Baseboard Cleaning Tool
• Microfiber Duster and Extension Pole
• Microfiber Flip Flat Duster
• Microfiber Duster Cleaning Kit

How To Deep Clean Your Baseboards Like A Pro

With regular wiping, you will only need to thoroughly clean your baseboards once or twice a year.

1. Begin by wiping the baseboards down with a dry microfiber cloth. The soft cloth will attract dust, and won't damage your baseboards.
2. Give it a good wipe to remove the dust and dirt that you can see.
3. Then, get in there with a toothbrush. A toothbrush (or paintbrush) can help clean all the corners and edges of the baseboard.
4. Next, mix your favorite cleaning solution in a bucket of warm water. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution, and wring it out.
5. Rinse down your baseboards, scrubbing to lift off the last of the dirt.
6. Dampen a magic eraser sponge, and clean away any remaining grime. Use a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
7. Finish by vacuuming the surrounding floor.
8. If your boards still are looking worse for wear, try rubbing them down and adding a fresh coat of paint.

Stained Wood Baseboards

Our advice mostly relates to painted boards, which are easy to clean. If you're working with stained wood baseboards, you need to be a little more careful.

Avoid getting them too damp, and wipe them dry after cleaning.

Final Thoughts

Baseboards are an important part of your home's overall appearance. They should always be kept clean and well maintained.

Regularly cleaning them will make your home look better, and help you avoid the need for a deep clean.

Wiping down your baseboards after dusting and before vacuuming can add a polished finish to your home, so if you need to impress a guest, or you just fancy treating yourself to a spotless home, try the methods discussed here today!