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. As you clean, avoid letting your cleaning cloth get too wet, and wipe up any water immediately.
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.
You can do this with a cloth and cleaning solution: try soapy water, a mix of water and vinegar, or commercial all-purpose cleaner. You can also try something like a Magic Eraser instead, but make sure you spot test! (Magic Erasers tend to work better on white walls or molding painted with glossier, heartier paint.)
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.
Don't Use Them On Your Car
Or any other delicate surface, for that matter, like silverware, glass, or metal surfaces. Dry erasers have the abrasiveness of a 3000 grit sandpaper – very fine, but can still mar shiny surfaces – like your stainless steel appliances!
'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.
You don't have to wipe down baseboards every day, but a little regular attention goes a long way. As a good rule of thumb, you could aim to tackle them once a month. For a deeper clean, every three to six months is usually enough, but if you have kids or pets, you might need to give them some attention more often.
Sugar soap is a powerful cleaning agent for walls that removes all dirt and uneven spots for even and smooth paint application. Think of it as a necessary touch to your wall before putting on makeup. You can't put on makeup before first cleaning your face and removing all the sweat, dirt, and sunscreen.
To make this DIY baseboard and wall cleaner, just mix 1 cup of warm water with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Though not required, adding peppermint essential oil will leave your whole house smelling great while also repelling bugs and pests.
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.
Clean Baseboards Using Dusters, Mops and Brushes
Just sweep the baseboards as you walk past them. A wet/dry dust mop with a pivoting head can also be an effective way to dust baseboards and remove light grime. You can use a soft-bristled brush to remove pet hair.
A cotton swab is just the right size for those hard-to-reach-spots. Dip your swab in your cleaner, then push and twist it in the corners and other spaces to remove dirt. Use a clean microfiber cloth dampened with warm water and wipe down your baseboards to remove the baseboard cleaner residue.
Fix scratches with a fill stick, restore moulding with hot glue, and cover damage with wood filler. Sand and paint for a beautiful finish.
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.
So we advise against the use of Sugar Soap as it can leave a film over the wall, creating a surface that the paint cannot stick to. In some circumstances the paint can slide around on the surface and even peel away. Sugar soap can also leave a fine coating of sugar that may repel the paint leaving it patchy.
In general, there are four methods to make soap - cold process, melt and pour, hot process, and rebatch. There are pros and cons for each, and every maker has a personal preference. If you're wondering which method may be the best for you, find information below.
North America
The comparable cleaning product in Canada and the US is trisodium phosphate, also known as "TSP".
A brilliant white baseboard looks modern, clean, and sharp—unless it's dirty. Here's how to clean baseboards that are ultra-white to bring back the shine: Mix warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar in a bucket. Dip a soft cloth in the cleaning solution and wipe away dust and surface dirt.
If black scuff marks remain, a “magic eraser” can be used. They can be harsh on some surfaces, so test an area first. A pencil eraser or a lubricant like WD40 can help remove black marks on a baseboard finish as well.
Unlike some fancy baseboards that seem to collect dust like it's their job, the West End Notched is designed to be low-maintenance. This means you get that sharp, clean look without the extra cleaning hassle.
Dryer sheets pick up dust and hair and leave behind a thin layer of anti-static residue that will help repel dust, keeping baseboards cleaner for longer.