Baseboard Care
I have never met a woman who enjoyed cleaning baseboards. I have met many women who diligently do it anyway— and some that use it as punishment for their kids— but not one that enjoys it. Here are some tips on baseboard care that will save you time and save your back.
Step 1: The Deep Clean
Okay, so it’s been a couple months and these things are getting out of hand. They collect dust and pet hair in bedrooms and living areas; food spills and grease in the kitchen; dryer lint in the laundry room; and if you’re potty training, I won’t even mention the bathroom.
The best way to start is with the brush attachment on your vacuum. You need the brush part to agitate dry soils and the vacuum to contain them. This will keep you from having to deal with wet pet hair, animal hair, and dust.
Next, dampen a microfiber cloth with Sal Suds diluted for floor care. (Not the general purpose dilution ratio. It’ too strong). When wiping down the baseboards, you don’t have to get down on your hands and knees. I stand facing away from the wall, bend down like a squat, and bring the cloth to the baseboards about ankle height just behind me. This is more ergonomic and it’s good for your buns and thighs. ;)
This part will be a lengthy process, but it’s one you shouldn’t have to repeat, if you follow the next steps.
Step 2: Weekly Maintenance
Once a week, when you are already vacuuming and mopping, use your brush attachment to vacuum the dust and hair off the baseboards. This will ensure that dust cannot build up. In bathrooms, you may need to also mop them with your mop: humidity in the bathroom helps lint and dust stick to the baseboards.
Step 3: Daily Maintenance
Remove spills immediately. It is so much easier to remove food spills, dog slobber, and mud while it is still wet! Keep a spray bottle of diluted Sal Suds under the sink with a clean microfiber draped over the nozzle— when tools are easy to access, it is less frustrating to clean up messes.
Amber Starling, Author
Founder and President of
Good Witch Cleaning Services, LLC
IICRC Journeyman Textile Cleaner