Posted on March 2nd, 2021
Maintaining a beautiful home means paying attention to small details and hard-to-reach places – including baseboards. Baseboards are important aesthetic features that frame rooms and hide the gap between the walls and the floor; if they look dingy and dirty, the rest of your home will never feel crisp and clean. Unfortunately, because baseboards are close to the ground, they’re hard to reach and easy to forget when cleaning.
Though there’s no way to make the location of baseboards less awkward, knowing the right baseboard cleaning techniques can make cleaning them less tedious and strenuous. Our professional residential cleaners in Norman, OK can also help by deep-cleaning your baseboards, as needed, so all you have to do is dust them in between visits. (This approach is safest for seniors and people living alone, as baseboard deep-cleaning usually involves moving furniture.) In the guide below, we’ll share our four favorite strategies for keeping baseboards dust and dirt-free.
4 Essential Baseboard Cleaning Tips
1.Dust baseboards regularly.
The crevices in baseboards often trap dust that falls off the walls and dirt that gets kicked up off the floor. Without regular cleaning, dusty baseboards can contribute to allergy symptoms and create unwanted musty odors in the home. Dust and grime can also stain white baseboards over time, making them harder to clean.
Ideally, you should dust your baseboards once a week, though bi-weekly dusting may be acceptable if you don’t own pets or suffer from allergies. Dust your baseboards after you dust the walls and ceiling, and just before you vacuum the floors.
To make dusting baseboards quicker (and easier on your back), lightly moisten a microfiber cloth with commercial or homemade dusting spray. Then, wrap the cloth around the bristle end of a broom and use an elastic band to fasten it firmly in place. Run the broom along the baseboards in your home; the microfiber cloth’s natural static charge will remove dust from their nooks and crannies without you having to bend over.
(Need more dusting tips? Check out our list of ways to quickly bust household dust.
2.Use a magic eraser to remove stubborn stains.
After you dust your baseboards, inspect them carefully for dingy-looking, discolored areas. If you see any stains forming, grab a clean magic eraser and dip it in a bucket of warm, soapy water. Wring the magic eraser out so it’s damp (not wet) to prevent drips and streaks. Then, gently scrub the discolored area until it looks bright and clean. When you’re done, wipe the baseboard with a damp microfiber cloth to remove soap residue and whisk away any remaining debris.
Note that you should only use magic erasers on baseboards that have been painted. If you have stained wood baseboards, you should stick to using a microfiber cloth and wood cleaner to avoid damaging their delicate finish.
3.When you’re done cleaning, use dryer sheets to dust-proof your baseboards.
Dryer sheets have unique anti-static properties that repel dust. To reduce the amount you need to dust your baseboards, save your used dryer sheets and use them to wipe down your freshly cleaned baseboards. The anti-static film on the dryer sheets will lightly coat your baseboards, making them less attractive to dust. Dryer sheets also leave behind a fresh, pleasant scent that repels certain pests, such as cockroaches and weevils.
4.Deep clean your baseboards at least twice a year.
Before you deep clean your baseboards, ask a friend or family member to help you move furniture and appliances away from the walls. Then, vacuum your baseboards (with your vacuum’s crevice tool) and your furniture (with an upholstery tool). This way, you won’t have to worry about dust falling off your furniture and landing on your freshly cleaned baseboards.
After you vacuum, place a knee pad or pillow on the floor. (Kneeling on a cushion will reduce the risk of developing knee pain while you scrub your home’s baseboards.) Dip a cleaning sponge in warm, soapy water, wring it out, and thoroughly scrub your baseboards from end to end. Rinse the sponge frequently as you work to avoid spreading dust and grime around. Similarly, if you notice the water in your cleaning bucket getting murky, replace it with fresh water and soap.
Once you have removed most of the grime from your baseboards, you can begin detail cleaning. Dip a cotton swab in your soap and water solution, then run it along the edges, corners, and crevices of each baseboard. (Replace the swab as soon as it looks dirty.) Alternately, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub these areas.
When the crevices of your baseboards are dust and dirt-free, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe and polish each baseboard to perfection. Finally, set up a few oscillating fans to ensure your baseboards dry quickly; you’ll want to wait until they’re completely dry before you move your furniture back into place.
HappyCleans Can Keep Your Baseboards Gleaming – So You Don’t Have To
We all want to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of living in a clean, inviting home. Having a clean home has been associated with everything from improvements in mood and sleep quality to a lower incidence of allergies, asthma, and seasonal illnesses. But, as any housekeeper knows, our busy schedules often prevent us from turning the dream of a spotless home into a reality.
If you find yourself struggling to make time for basic maintenance cleaning – let alone detail cleaning – our licensed, bonded maids in Oklahoma City can help. Our comprehensive and affordable cleaning services cover everything from baseboards to curtains, upholstery, kitchens, bathrooms, and much more. When you’re ready, use our convenient online booking form to arrange your first appointment or give us a call at (405) 353-2665 and instead of cleaning relax in Lake Thunderbird State Park for the day.