How to clean baseboards fast, and keep the paint intact

Step by step: how to clean baseboards fast, and keep the paint intact

1. 1

   Clear the edges of the room

   Pull furniture, baskets and cords about a foot away from the walls so you can reach the whole run of trim. Start in one corner and plan to work around the room in one direction.

2. 2

   Vacuum the dust first

   Run the brush attachment along the top edge and face of the baseboard, then the crevice tool along the seam where it meets the floor. Getting the dry dust and hair off first keeps you from smearing it into gray streaks when you add water.

3. 3

   Mix a mild soap solution

   Fill one bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, and a second with plain warm water for rinsing. Plain water alone is often enough for light dust, so try it first on a lightly soiled room.

4. 4

   Wipe in short sections

   Wring a cloth until it is barely damp and wipe 3 to 4 feet of baseboard at a time: the top ledge, the face, and the small shoe molding at the bottom if you have one. Rinse the cloth often; when the water turns gray, change it.

5. 5

   Lift scuffs gently

   For black scuffs and shoe marks, sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp cloth and rub lightly in small circles. Test the spot first somewhere hidden, such as behind a door, and stop if the paint starts to look dull.

6. 6

   Rinse off the soap

   Wipe each section again with a cloth dampened in the plain water. This removes soap film, which otherwise attracts dust and leaves a dull haze on semi-gloss paint.

7. 7

   Dry the baseboard and floor seam

   Follow with a dry cloth, paying attention to the gap at the floor. Water left standing there can mark hardwood, swell laminate edges and soften caulk.

8. 8

   Put the room back and keep it up

   Move furniture back once the trim is dry. A quick pass with the vacuum brush every week or two means the next wash is a wipe rather than a scrub.

How to clean baseboards by finish

Glossier paint can take more rubbing; flat paint and bare wood need a lighter touch. Most baseboards are painted semi-gloss, which is the easiest finish to clean, but older or custom trim may be different.

Benjamin Moore says higher sheens such as semi-gloss are easier to clean, lower sheens need a gentler touch, and newly painted surfaces should cure for at least two weeks before washing. Sherwin-Williams recommends mild soap and warm water, a well wrung-out cloth because too much water can hurt paint, baking soda and water for scuffs, and a test in an inconspicuous spot first.

Cleaning baseboards in a home built before 1978

Wipe old painted trim with a damp cloth and never sand, scrape or scrub it hard, because it may have lead paint under newer coats. The EPA notes that homes built before 1978 are more likely to contain lead-based paint and that worn paint can produce hazardous dust.

• The EPA recommends wiping hard surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth and wet mopping to keep lead dust down.
• If you see chips or flakes, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and do not dry sweep.
• Leave chipped or peeling trim alone and have it assessed rather than scrubbing it clean.

How to clean baseboards faster, and without kneeling

Work in one direction around the room with all your supplies on a tray, and dust far more often than you wash. Most of the time spent on baseboards goes to scrubbing buildup that a weekly dusting would have prevented.

• A flat microfiber mop with a clean, damp pad can wipe the face of the baseboard while you stand. Use a fresh pad, not the one you used on the floor.
• A knee pad, or sitting on a low stool and scooting along, saves your knees on long runs.
• Do baseboards after dusting higher surfaces such as blinds and ceiling fans, and before you vacuum or mop the floor.

Mistakes to avoid

• Wiping before vacuuming, which turns dust and pet hair into streaks.
• Using a dripping sponge, which leaves water in the seam at the floor.
• Scrubbing flat paint with a melamine sponge and leaving shiny patches.
• Skipping the rinse, so soap film collects dust again within days.
• Washing freshly painted trim before the paint has cured.