Keep those baseboards clean!
Whether your home is new, freshly remodeled, or you live in an older and well-used space, you should take pride in it and want it to look its best at all times. Some people hire a cleaning service, while others take care of the housework themselves. Either way, the home isn’t totally clean unless the baseboards are spotless. They are often overlooked, but the truth is that baseboards can be covered with dust, dirt, spots, and pet hair. Here are some cleaning tips to help you clean the baseboards.
Vacuum
You can use the vacuum as the first step to getting the baseboards clean. It is easy because you don’t even have to bend over! Just use the wand with the brush attachment and go over the entire length of the baseboard. Be sure to clean the whole surface. Then use the crevice attachment to clean up between the baseboard and the floor. Vacuuming the baseboards frequently will help prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, and pet hair that can make them look dull and dingy.
Wet Wipe
This step takes a little more time and energy, but it is well worth it, especially in kitchens where you might have food splatter to deal with. Baseboards in entrances, enclosed porches, and mudrooms can be covered in dirt that people bring in from the outside. There is no need for harsh chemicals. Simply fill a bucket with a solution of warm water, mild dish soap (Dawn works well), and a little vinegar. Wet the cloth and run it over the entire baseboard to clean up any dirt that the vacuum couldn’t get. A Magic Eraser can be very effective at removing tough spots, but you should test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t take the finish off your baseboard. In areas that are particularly grimy, you might need to use a toothbrush to get the dirt out of the grooves.
Tight Spaces
You are almost done! To finish the job, use a cotton swab dipped in the solution you already made and wipe it along the top of the baseboard and in the crevice at the bottom. You will most likely go through a few of them, so have extra cotton swabs on hand. Then, for that extra special touch, get a dryer sheet and rub it along the baseboard. This helps prevent static which attracts dust. Now you are finished, and the baseboards are clean.
Custom Woodwork from Mahogany
Mahogany Inc. is a general contractor that specializes in quality construction for residential and commercial projects. We have the expertise and experience to tackle whatever your custom woodwork job is (and acquire those hard to find woods you might want to use!). If you are looking for work that will set your living room, kitchen, or business apart, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 727-0334. To see examples of our wonderful work and see what our customers have to say, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.