Baseboards often go unnoticed during our regular cleaning routines, but when they become dirty and stained, they demand our attention. It's astonishing how quickly these floor moldings can accumulate grime. Fortunately, you don't have to strain your back or exhaust yourself to restore them to their pristine condition. There are simple yet effective methods you can use to deep clean your baseboards with ease.

Are you faced with the task of giving your baseboards a thorough cleaning? Or perhaps you're searching for a way to maintain their cleanliness without the need to constantly bend over? Look no further! In this post, we'll share valuable tips on painlessly cleaning your baseboards. Say goodbye to backaches and hello to gleaming, well-maintained baseboards. Discover how to achieve this with eco-friendly cleaning services that will leave you satisfied and your baseboards spotless. Let's dive in and make this cleaning task a breeze!

How to clean dirty baseboards

Baseboards are in a tricky location; they aren't either part of the floor or the wall. Cleaning your baseboards isn't challenging by itself. However, if you suffer from back pain or any condition limiting your mobility, reaching the mop boards can be problematic.

The best way to avoid straining yourself in this task is by dusting your baseboards regularly. However, if the molding on your floors is already grimy, you'll need to get it back to good condition first.

Here is how to clean dirty baseboards!

Part #1. Find the right supplies for the task

Likely, you already have more than one tool for the job. The best supplies for you will depend on the material of your baseboards and how intricate they are. Besides, you should consider if you are ready to get down to your knees for the task. Here are a few considerations.

What you can use for dusting:

There are a variety of options for dusting your baseboards. You can use a broom, a brush, a vacuum cleaner with a wand attachment, or microfiber cloths. Even a stick with a microfiber sock could do the trick—and you won't need to bend over.

What you can use for wiping off the grime: 

You can use warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth or sponge, whether you have vinyl or wood baseboards. Also, you could use a white vinegar solution, but make sure it's safe for the wood molding by spot-testing it in a small section of the baseboards.

Besides, you can use magic erasers to tackle tough spots or an old brush to reach the crannies—especially if your baseboards have an intricate shape.

Part #2. Remove the dust before moistening the baseboards

This is the easy part of the process—and maybe you should include it in your regular cleaning routine to keep your baseboards clean for longer. 

There is more than one way to complete this task:

• Vacuuming with a wand attachment or sweeping the baseboards will save you time and effort, and you won't need to bend over or get down to your knees. 
• On the other hand, wiping the baseboards by hand with a cloth or sponge is more detailed. If you don't want to strain your knee joints or wish to avoid a sore back, a low, sturdy stool could help you complete this chore comfortably.

Whatever method you choose, the goal is to remove all the dry dust before bringing the cleaning solutions—avoiding a mess. 

Part #3. Wipe and scrub the grime

You only need to tackle this part of the process once or twice a year. First, prepare your preferred cleaning solution, whether you choose soapy water, a vinegar solution, or your trusted all-purpose cleaner. 

If you want to use a safe but effective method, go for warm soapy water—you only need to mix a few drops of liquid dish soap and warm water. However, you'll need to rinse the soap residue afterward. 

On the other hand, vinegar evaporates quickly, and there's no need to rinse it. To try this cleaning method on wood baseboards, mix half a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of olive oil, and 2 cups of warm water. 

Careful: If you are using vinegar for the first time on your baseboards, spot-test it first.

Follow these steps to clean your baseboards: 

1. Get ready to apply elbow grease! To reach your baseboards, you could use a scrubbing with a telescopic pole, a mat to comfortably get down on your knees, or sit on a stool. If you don't have any of them, use rubber bands to fix a microfiber sock to a yardstick or pole. 
2. Dip your cloth in the cleaning solution and wring it out to use it only slightly damp. If you prefer, you could spray the solution directly onto the cloth or the baseboard. 
3. Wipe the molding from bottom to top in vertical motions. Then, wipe the top of the baseboard. This way, you will prevent water from dripping onto the floor. However, if you are in a hurry or are using the yardstick-and-sock hack, you can wipe them horizontally.

Tip: Remove stuck-on grime and scuff marks with a melamine sponge. These "magic erasers" only need to be damp to work and can remove tough spots effortlessly.

Part 4: Rinse and remove excess moisture

Once you finish wiping off the baseboards, you'll need to remove soap residue. Also, a thorough dry will prevent damage by moisture. 

Here's how you do it:

• Rinse the residue with a slightly damp towel after washing the baseboards with soapy water. If you struggle to reach low areas, wrap a pole or broom with the towel and use it to rinse the molding without bending over. You can skip the rinsing after using a vinegar solution. 
• As the final part of the process, remove excess moisture to avoid water damage and mold growth. You can wrap a pole or broom with a dry towel to reach the baseboards effortlessly. Besides, turning on a fan might be a good idea.

Part 5: Protect your baseboards

Vinyl or painted wood baseboards are likely already protected. However, if you deep clean your wooden baseboards, you should polish them to keep the wood healthy. Besides, making an all-natural wood polisher with olive oil and lemon oil is easy!

Also, a well-known method to prevent dust from sticking on your baseboards is wiping them with a dryer sheet. The fabric softener will coat the molding as it does to your clothes' fibers.

Too much hassle? Let Rain City Maids take care of your chores

Rain City Maids is a cleaning company serving Lynnwood, Bellevue, Kirkland, and the suburbs in Eastside Seattle. We want to make your life easier with our top-quality home cleaning services, whether you are too busy to clean your home or you struggle with the chores. 

Ask for your free quote on our homepage!