Here are some tips for cleaning your baseboards and trim, and keeping them clean.
The primary purpose of baseboards is protecting the walls from kicks and scratches, but they likewise provide an attractive trim as well as a polished look in a room. Dust accumulated from sweeping the floor and everyday dirt can ultimately cause the baseboards to look filthy and dull. Baseboards should be cleaned regularly just like your floors. No matter how you keep your floor dirt free, if your baseboards do not get the same attention, then your effort is futile because the room will still look dirty because of messy baseboards. Cleaning them doesn’t have to be complicated and tedious. Regular cleaning basically keeps them looking great and good as new. However, they may still need deep cleaning to be able to remove intense dirt buildup. Getting rid of dirt and dust without damaging the baseboard and trim can prevent refinishing or repairs later.
Step 1 – Start the process by sweeping and mopping the floor. Get rid of as much dirt and dust as you can. Use a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment to clean the baseboards. They should be free of dust, dirt and hair just before you wash them. Give extra attention to the crevices where the baseboard contacts with the floor. In case you don’t have a vacuum, you may use your ever reliable duster to perform the task.
Step 2 – Spray your baseboards from room to room, using an all-purpose cleaner and let it stay for around 10 minutes. Don’t soak them with too much water, especially on the wall behind, because doing so can cause damage to your drywall.
Step 3 – After 10 minutes, wash your baseboards by means of a damp sponge. If the stains are hard to remove, just be patient and scrub harder. However, do not use a scouring pad as it is abrasive and might ruin your baseboards. For your kitchen baseboards where you can see splatters from all the cooking activities, it is advised to use a sponge and dip into a mixture of dish soap (or vinegar) and water then scrub. For hard to reach areas, use a cotton swab soaked in the cleaner.
Step 4 – Once your baseboards and trim are dry and clean, use a dryer sheet to wipe the wood. The dryer sheet has an antistatic stick characteristic that basically reduces the amount of dust that adheres to the baseboards. It is advisable that every time you sweep the floor and vacuum, you may also follow it up with the dryer sheet. You should do this regularly when you have pets. Doing this can prevent accumulation of dirt and dust.
Cleaning your baseboards and trim should not be a burdensome task to do, but in case you are a very busy person and doing that would mean that you need to skip work, well what you need is a little help from the experts. Professional cleaning services can help you in cleaning your entire house or office including your baseboards and trim.
