If your baseboards are relatively clean, this is the most effective, chemical-free method. For when you're in a hurry: “Using baby wipes is an easy and efficient way to quickly dust off your baseboards,” says Caroline McNamara, Fabuloso brand expert.
Baby wipes will work on BOTH painted and wood trim baseboards. If you are trying to clean up stubborn scuffs and marks on white trim, use Magic Erasers to remove scuffs and dirt. It works like a champ to remove some of those marks that are a bit more stubborn.
Mix together a solution of warm water and a gentle dish soap that's safe for your baseboards--Becky Rapinchuk of the Clean Mama blog recommends 4 to 5 cups of water to a few teaspoons of soap. Soak a microfiber cloth in the solution, wring it out (you don't want it too damp), then wipe down the baseboards.
Cleaning Pet Stains and Odors from your Baseboards
Mix together 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Apply this mixture to the affected area and allow it to fully dry overnight.
You can start by sprinkling baking soda on the area. It will help absorb moisture and neutralize the odor. You might need to leave it on overnight. The following day, vacuum the baking soda to help eliminate the urine smell.
How Often to Clean Baseboards. Food splatters and spills that land on baseboards should be cleaned away as soon as they happen. Then, each time you vacuum or mop, dust the baseboards to prevent dust and dirt from building up. If you don't have time to dust them each time you vacuum, try to do it at least twice a month.
Dish soap is highly recommended due to its grease-cutting and gentle properties, making it effective for removing dirt without damaging the paint or wood, says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust from your baseboards.
Bust Baseboard Dust
Go over them with a vacuum brush attachment or a stiff broom to blast the first layer of dust. Next, wipe them clean with a mixture of warm water and a splash of vinegar. Follow up by drying them off with a clean cloth, then swipe them with a dryer sheet, which will reduce dust in the future.
Lysol Wipe Technique
Using a cleaning wipe is an easy and quick way to bust baseboard grime. It can be an effective method for small homes.
'Dryer sheets repel dust, too'
What's even better about using dryer sheets to clean baseboards is that they'll stop the dust building up again. 'Dryer sheets are designed to reduce static on clothes, and it makes the baseboard repel dust, too,' my mom explained.
Magic Eraser: Magic erasers are especially useful if your baseboards are scuffed up with shoe marks. Dip the eraser in a bucket of hot water, squeeze it out, and apply to dirty areas. Note: These should only be used for painted wood or non-wood baseboards.
Caution is always good when using any solvent on a wood surface. Wood needs special care and baby wipes leave behind a wet residue. Because of the porous nature of wood, this wetness can leave a mark and damage your furniture. So before swiping, first try testing a bit of the wood to make sure nothing will go wrong.
Fill a bucket with a gallon of hot water and a few squirts of dish soap or a cup of vinegar. Use a microfiber cloth and soapy water to wipe down the baseboards. Only work on one small section at a time. Once that section is clean, dry it with a new cloth, and then continue cleaning along the wall.
Varela cautions against using Clorox wipes to clean baseboards. They are fantastic at cleaning a lot of things, but they are not recommended to clean baseboards. “They often have abrasive chemicals that will damage your surface over time,” she says.
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes are another good option for getting dirty baseboards clean again, even painted white baseboards that can really show the dirt. Once your baseboards are clean again, keep them that way by dusting them regularly with an extendable duster.
Deep Cleaning Your Baseboards
Use a simple solution of ¼ cup Pinesol or other all-purpose cleaner, mixed in a bucket with a gallon of water. Now simply wipe the baseboard with a damp microfiber cloth. For extra grimier baseboards, such as those in your kitchen or living rooms, you may need some extra scrubbing power.
Vinyl baseboards: Mix an eco-friendly cleaning solution of one gallon of warm water, four tablespoons of dish soap, and four tablespoons of white vinegar—a mixture that may also work as a DIY floor cleaner recipe. Then, use a dishwashing sponge, microfiber cloth, rag, or even a sock to scrub the baseboards.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash:
Glass with UV coatings or other specialty treatments. Painted, varnished, or coated surfaces, including automobile paint. Precious metals, copper, or sterling silver. Leather, upholstery, or fabrics that won't later be rinsed.
Research by the American Cleaning Institute found that many Americans spend nearly 6 hours every week cleaning, while a third wonder if they are cleaning enough and correctly. Most homeowners clean the floor, vacuum, clean the bathroom, and dust furniture once a week.
How Often Should You Clean Blinds? It is recommended to clean your blinds every week or two so that dust and particles don't accumulate. This doesn't necessarily mean a deep clean, but a quick dusting.
Here's a look into the causes and some things you can do to prevent this from happening in your home. The dirty streaks that can appear above your baseboards are mostly created by dirt, dust, or carbon soot from a number of sources like fireplaces, cigarette smoke, pets, cooking byproducts, etc.