Would you like to clean and maintain your baseboards properly? Then learn how to do it here. The baseboards are a discreet and yet effective decorative element, which is quickly overlooked during everyday house cleaning. To ensure that your house and apartment make an all-around tidy impression, you should also clean the baseboards. In this way, they will retain their impeccable appearance for many years to come.
Cleaning baseboards: Hints and tips
Dust and other dirt like to accumulate on the baseboards. Especially in the kitchen, it also combines with grease, which can create unsightly black crumbs if you clean the baseboards without preparation. For a thorough cleaning job, take a moment and follow three steps:
1. Dust the baseboards
Remove the coarse dust. For this, it's best to use a hard brush that allows you to get into the corners.
2. Vacuuming the baseboards
After the coarse dirt is removed, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the baseboards. To do this, use a narrow brush attachment that will remove the remaining dust particles. Be careful not to leave black streaks on your walls.
3. Damp clean the baseboards
Your baseboards have stains? Then you can use a slightly damp cloth, to clean the baseboards. To do this, simply wipe them gently.
No matter whether you clean dark or white baseboards: Work carefully and on small areas. Do not use too much water or detergent for this, otherwise the wood will get too wet and can be damaged.
Cleaning baseboards without bending down?
Cleaning baseboards without bending down? Unfortunately, this is not 100% possible, but you can make your work much easier. Here are a few tips:
- Make your work easier by using a rolling base. This can be a skateboard, a furniture dog or something similar.
- When you clean the baseboards, it is best to take regular breaks. Stretch your legs and back to avoid cramping.
- Get a feather duster with a handle. By using it to clean the baseboards, you will have to bend over less.
Cleaning baseboards: Which cleaning products are the right ones?
Before you clean your baseboards, take a close look at the material and the environment. After that, then choose the cleaning products according to the following advice.
- If you are going to clean baseboards made of natural wood, you must use only a little water. Otherwise, the water will accumulate in the corners and the wood will get soaked. This provokes mold.
- If the wooden surfaces are oiled or varnished, it is best to use a floor cleaner concentrate for parquet.
- Are you struggling with heavy soiling? Then you can use an intensive cleaner for wood floors to clean the skirting boards. A special cleaner is also suitable. Alternatively, sand them down and recoat them.
- Vacuuming the baseboards is only possible if they are made of solid wood. For soft baseboards and plastic covers, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner including a brush attachment.
- If you clean baseboards that are made of plastic, you can use vinegar water. You will achieve a particularly bright result if you use it to clean white baseboard.
- If the baseboards show blemishes or blemishes, buy the appropriate repair kit in specialized stores. These are available for oiled and lacquered baseboards.
- It is best to use a soft sponge when cleaning your baseboards. Go over the surface with circular movements so as not to damage it. Abrasive cleaners and wire wool are not suitable for cleaning.
Get started cleaning baseboards now!
Regardless of what color your baseboards are and what material they are made of: Only by cleaning your baseboards regularly will you effectively complete your interior design. By cleaning your baseboards frequently, you'll also save yourself the trouble of removing stubborn stains, for the most part. It's best to routinely include the baseboards in your house cleaning.