If your baseboards are extra dirty with sticky, stubborn grime, use a steam cleaner.
The steam cleaner's lance is the perfect tool to clean along baseboards and the floor tool is specially designed to revive vinyl and linoleum.
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.
Prolonged Drying Times
A soaking wet carpet takes an extremely long time to dry. Professionally steam cleaned carpets can take between 12 to 24 hours of drying time. Renting a steam cleaner with only moderate-strength suction power can leave your carpet (and floorboards) wet for up to two days.
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
Below are three ways you can use your steam cleaner to clean your walls and ceilings easily and effectively. Using your steam cleaner on low to medium heat, gather your attachments including the floor cleaning head, extension tubes, micro fiber attachment, nylon brush, and clothes/fabric tool with cotton cover.
Hardwood floors that are not sealed or improperly sealed are highly susceptible to moisture damage. Steam is likely to seep into the interior of the wood, causing the floor to swell, warp, and even cause long-term damage. For this type of floor, we recommend using dry or wet mop cleaning method.
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.
Fix scratches with a fill stick, restore moulding with hot glue, and cover damage with wood filler. Sand and paint for a beautiful finish.
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.
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.
For homes. For homes with light foot traffic, a steam cleaning every 12 months is often enough. However, homes with pets, children or heavy traffic may need it every 6 months.
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.
Steam cleaning works well for tough dirt or grease on baseboards.
The short answer: Technically, yes. Steam can kill pathogens, including viruses.
Cork Tiles and Unsealed or Waxed Timber: Steam mops can damage these surfaces. Timber and Laminate Flooring: Manufacturers often warn that steam can seep between boards, potentially causing expansion and damage over time, including delamination and buckling.
Yes! Steam cleaning is safe for your walls and won't impact the other members of your household. It also offers plenty of other benefits, including: Minimal streaking.
A: Absolutely, you can use a steam cleaner to remove mould from small surfaces. Nevertheless, for larger or persistent mould issues, it's advisable to seek professional mould removal services.
One simple way to make a homemade cleaning solution is to mix 1 cup of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, apply the cleaning solution to your ceilings and walls with a clean cloth or sponge.
The short answer is yes, vinegar can be used with steam mops.