The majority of us hardly ever pay attention to how dirty our baseboards are. However, if you look closely, your baseboards frequently have dirt, scuffs, and scratches. Your previously white baseboards may start to look yellow and dingy due to all that buildup. The good news is that baseboards are easy to keep clean if you know how to do it.
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How Often To Clean Baseboards
When should baseboards be cleaned? Much will depend on how you live. You’ll probably need to clean them more frequently than most people if you have pets that shed a lot of hair. As an expedient and crude(!) rule, aim to clean your baseboards once a month. Instead, switch to cleaning them every two weeks if you find that they are very grimy. And if you discover that your baseboards retain their cleanliness, you might only need to clean them every few months.
How To Clean Wood Baseboards
Although stained wood is a sturdy and beautiful baseboard material, if it gets too wet or completely dries out (did you know that your home’s timbers contain about 6-8% water? ), it may become warped or discolored.). The good news is, you can balance the moisture content of your baseboards with two simple steps:
- Don’t use too much water when cleaning wooden baseboards
- Finish the baseboards using oil to lock in moisture
Your wood baseboards should first be dusted or vacuumed. Then make the following mixture:
- 1-gallon warm water
- 4 tablespoons dish soap
- 1 tablespoon mineral oil
The cleaning solution should be applied to a sponge or microfiber cloth to clean the baseboards. To avoid getting too much water on the wood, thoroughly ring out the sponge.
Once the baseboards are clean, give them one last wipe down and any remaining soap residue with a cloth dampened with clear water. The oil will stay on the wood to preserve it.
Buff your baseboards with a dry cloth as a finishing touch, and use a dryer sheet to help prevent additional dust from settling there in the future.
Pro Tip: Some websites might advise using vegetable oil as a universal wood conditioner. Vegetable oil, however, degrades over time and develops unpleasant odors. Always opt for mineral oil or a special wood treatment oil.
How To Clean Painted Baseboards
It is not necessary to apply oil to painted wooden baseboards. The baseboards are already protected from the elements by the paint, so cleaning is made simpler by being able to use more water and pressure.
Step 1: Remove loose dust and dirt from the baseboards
Step 2: Add dish soap or a gentle, all-purpose cleaner to warm water and clean the baseboards with a sponge or microfiber cloth
Step 3: If you encounter any obstinate stains, a magic eraser can help lift them
Step 4: Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe down the baseboards to remove soap residue
Step 5: Use a dryer sheet to keep your baseboards dust-free
Pro Tip: Have your clothes been exposed to paint? Here’s how to remove it
How To Clean Baseboards Before Painting
It’s best to clean your baseboards before painting them if you want to give them a new look. You will have a better finish as a result of doing this. Since you’re going to refinish the paint anyhow, you can exert more pressure to ensure that all traces of stains and scuffs have been eliminated. The majority of dirt can be removed with a magic eraser, and grease stains can be removed with a 50/50 solution of hot water and white vinegar.
Pro Tip: Prior to painting, make sure the baseboards are completely dry. You should also always check the paint’s Light Reflective Value (LRV) before using it on PVC baseboards. Dark paint can warp and crack when it absorbs too much heat.
How To Clean White Baseboards
White baseboards have a classy appearance, but they are very susceptible to dust and scratches. The aforementioned advice should be used if your white baseboards are painted wood. Instead, adhere to these recommendations if they are PVC-made.
Step 1: Dust or vacuum your baseboards as normal
Step 2: Use a mixture of dish soap and warm water to wipe down baseboards
Step 3: Use a magic eraser and all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt from PVC baseboards that have a lot of scuff marks (always perform a spot test first!)
Step 4: Make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts hot water and spritz the baseboards with it to keep them shining white. Leave for 10 minutes and then wipe down with a clean, damp cloth
How To Clean Pet Urine From Baseboards
Although owning a dog or cat can be very enjoyable, it can also leave your baseboards covered in a lot of mud. Your baseboards become covered in pet hair, dander, and dirt from muddy paws. In addition, you occasionally have accidents to clean up. Here’s how to do it.
How To Clean Cat Urine From Baseboards
Cat poop has an especially potent smell that needs to be removed with a potent cleaner. The good news is you can use this do-it-yourself approach to finish the task.
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
Soak up as much cat poop as you can from the area. After mixing the ingredients, liberally spray the baseboards with the mixture. Overnight drying is advised. If a white residue develops, it can be brushed or washed off.
Although getting your baseboards wet is generally not a good idea, the potential for water damage is usually a smaller problem than the odor of cat pee!
How To Clean Dog Urine From Baseboards
Even though dog urine typically doesn’t have the same unpleasant smell as cat urine, it is still not something you want to have around. The good news is that you can handle it with baking soda. Simply clean up as much pee as you can, and then liberally sprinkle baking soda over the area. Vacuum up the dry powder in the morning after letting it sit overnight to absorb the smell and moisture.
How To Clean Baseboards With A Bad Back
Nothing is worse for a bad back than sitting or standing for an extended period of time hunched over. It can be difficult to clean baseboards without stooping or kneeling, but it is doable. Here are some of our best tips:
- Use a long-handled vacuum attachment to clean dust and dirt without bending
- Use a spray bottle to squirt cleaning solution at your baseboards, then use a mop or Swiffer baseboard cleaner to wipe and clean
- Baby wipes are fast and effective at picking up dust and leaving baseboards clean if you need to work quickly
- Dust and dirt can be quickly removed using a handheld steamer with a wand attachment. Just remember to mop up any condensation afterward
Diy Baseboard Cleaner Spray
To get your baseboards sparkling, you don’t require many expensive cleaning agents. Vinegar’s ability to clean baseboards is a key component of our go-to recipe. It’s a great all-purpose solution for any baseboard or stain, and it’s non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
Use the solution to clean all of your baseboards by simply mixing the ingredients in a bucket. In fact, you can use this recipe almost anywhere as an all-purpose cleaner. If getting down on the floor is challenging, combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and spritz the area in question.
In Conclusion
Most cleaning routines frequently overlook baseboards, but taking a little extra time each month to have your baseboards cleaned will make your entire room look better. A clean home extends your life, according to studies, so it’s not just beneficial for appearances. So why are you still waiting? Today, put your hands to the task of cleaning your baseboards.
FAQs
Which Spray Can Be Applied To Baseboards?
Even though your first instinct might be to use Clorox wipes or spray, you might not actually need something that potent. HomeServe managing editor Matthew Schmitz suggests using warm, soapy water for cleaning. To clean baseboards, just combine a teaspoon of dish soap with a gallon of water, squeeze out the excess, and then soak a rag or microfiber cloth in the sudsy water.
Your baseboards might be completely fine with chemical cleaners, even vinegar solutions, depending on the materials and finish. In general, it’s best to use soap and water on your baseboards before attempting other solutions.
When handling boards with stains on them, use soap and water or cleaners designed for removing stains on wood (more on that below). Experts advise avoiding abrasive cleaning sprays and beginning with the straightforward soap and water method for painted baseboards. Even after the boards have been dried with a cloth, using conventional all-purpose cleaners can still leave splotchy, off-color patches.
What Is A Non-kneeling Method For Cleaning Baseboards?
Your back will suffer if you clean baseboards throughout the entire house at once. And while cleaning your baseboards will occasionally require a little more effort, you can accomplish most of it while standing up with the help of a few useful tools.
To collect debris, use the bristle attachment on your vacuum or a long-handled Swiffer duster. To remove the remaining grime, switch to a microfiber mop dipped in soapy water.
