When I was a kid, one of my household jobs was cleaning the baseboards. It involved crawling around the house on my youthful knees, running a damp rag along the top of the trim. As a grownup, I happily passed that job onto my kids. Then my nest emptied. My knees were much older, and I was left wondering how to clean baseboards without having to crawl painfully around on the floor.
Fortunately, there are a lot more (and better) cleaning products available than when I was a kid, and they've completely spared my knees and back. Let these baseboard cleaning hacks save your knees and your sanity, leaving behind tidy trim.
How to Clean Baseboards Quickly
Try this easy no-kneeling, no-bending baseboard cleaning process.
You'll Need
- Extendable microfiber duster
- Bucket
- Warm water
- 3-4 drops Dawn dish soap
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Mop
- Rubber band
- Dryer sheet
Instructions
- Start by dusting the baseboards using an extendable microfiber duster. To get behind furniture, pull it out from the wall slightly and run the duster behind the furniture along the baseboards.
- In a bucket, mix the warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar.
- Dip the mop in the bucket and wring it out.
- Run the mop along the tops and front of the baseboard.
- Allow the baseboards to dry.
- Use the non-duster end of your extendable duster and use a rubber band to attach the dryer sheet around the end of the duster.
- Run the dryer sheet along the tops and fronts of the dry baseboards. This will keep dust at bay longer.
Products That'll Help Make Cleaning Baseboards Easy
Cleaning baseboards may be a pain, but some products will help you clean them quickly and easily.
- Blue Dawn dish soap is your cleaning go to for virtually any cleaning product. It cuts through dirt and grease.
- Baseboard Buddy cleans baseboards and molding, and there's no need for you to bend or stretch.
- Magic Erasers erase dirt and scuff marks from your molding.
- A melamine sponge extender handle takes your Magic Eraser to the next level by allowing you to erase along the baseboards without having to sit or kneel on the floor.
- Attach a dryer sheet to a Swiffer Sweeper so you can run the dryer sheet along the baseboards without bending.
- A microfiber duster on an extendable pole makes reaching the baseboards easy for weekly dust removal.
- An extendable brush is great for scrubbing.
Baseboard Cleaning Hacks
While the process is pretty simple, there are a few hacks you can try to keep your baseboards spotless.
Use a Magic Eraser on Scuff Marks
Magic Erasers are amazing, and they can quickly and easily remove scuff marks on your baseboards. You may need to sit on the floor to do this work, but it's totally worth the effort.
- Wet your Magic Eraser and wring it dry.
- Test on an inconspicuous spot on your baseboards before using it (a small spot behind the furniture works). Make sure it doesn't remove the baseboard's finish.
- Rub back and forth over scuff marks and watch them disappear like magic.
- Wipe any residue away with a damp microfiber cloth and then buff with a dryer sheet after the spot has dried.
Use Disinfecting Wipes
Attach disinfecting wipes to the end of an extendable duster and use them to wipe the baseboards clean.
Use an Old Sock or T-Shirt to Dust and Wash
If you don't have an extendable duster and don't want to buy one, use a rubber band to attach an old sock or part of an old t-shirt to the end of any pole (a broom, a yardstick - whatever works). Then, dust and wash with these as described above, replacing the sock or t-shirt between dusting and washing.
Try a Tool Specifically for Cleaning Baseboards
There's a tool for every job and a job for every tool. So naturally, someone has created a tool specifically for cleaning baseboards. If you're somebody who loves a good cleaning tool, try the Baseboard Buddy, which is specially shaped to clean baseboards without bending or kneeling.
Deep Clean Baseboards
If bits of dirt get lodged in baseboard crevices, use an extendable brush dipped in your vinegar, dish soap, and water solution and then use it to scrub gently at stained areas. Finish by mopping the baseboards with clean water, allowing them to dry, and then running a dryer sheet along the baseboard.
How Often Should You Clean Baseboards?
Clean your baseboards about once a month. In high-traffic areas, keep an eye on them and if they seem to get dirty faster, clean them about every two weeks.
Make Cleaning Your Baseboards Easy
Cleaning your baseboards regularly is a small detail that can keep your home looking tidy. And while you're certainly welcome to don kneepads and get up close and personal with your baseboards, it isn't necessary. Give your knees and back a break with simple no-bend, no-kneel baseboard cleaning hacks.
