source: Homemaking.com
You don’t really notice baseboards until they’re gross. That line where the wall meets the floor? Yeah—easy to forget, but dust loves it. It’s not like people walk in and go, “Wow, look at your clean baseboards,” but when they’re dirty? You feel it.
And if you’ve got pets or people tracking in stuff, they catch everything. I put it off for months. Then finally gave in, and honestly, it didn’t take as long as I thought it would.
Here’s how I went about it, in case you’re staring at yours right now thinking, “Ugh, fine. Let’s do this.”
Start by grabbing what you need
Before you get down there, grab a few basics. You’ll need:
a bucket with warm water a microfiber cloth (or sponge)
dish soap or white vinegar
soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
vacuum with a brush head if you have it
You really don’t need fancy cleaning products or tools. This isn’t a deep grout scrub. Just enough to clean without damaging anything.
Clear your space so you don’t hate this halfway through
Push a few things out of the way. No need to clear the room, just enough to move freely.
I usually toss down an old towel along the wall too, so the floors don’t end up wet and slippery while I’m crawling around.
Start with dry dusting—don’t skip it
This sounds skippable, but it makes a huge difference. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment, or a dry cloth if that’s all you’ve got.
Go over the whole board slowly, especially the corners. You’d be surprised how much dirt hides in those tiny spots. Starting with dry dusting means you’re not turning it into muddy paste later.
Mix a mild cleaning solution
In the bucket, fill it with warm—not hot—water, and a bit of dish soap. Or vinegar works too if you want to avoid anything soapy.
You don’t need a lot. The goal is something mild enough to clean without stripping paint. Mix it gently, no need to make bubbles.
Time to wipe it all down
Dip your cloth or sponge in the bucket, then wring it out well. You want it damp, not dripping.
Wipe the baseboards from top to bottom. It doesn’t need to be perfect. If you see spots that aren’t coming off with a wipe, dip your toothbrush in the solution and gently scrub them.
Don’t go at it like you’re sanding a table—light pressure is enough. Some smudges just need a little extra time, that’s all.
Rinse and dry so nothing gets left behind
After you’ve wiped down an area, rinse your cloth in plain water and go over it again. That removes leftover soap or vinegar.
Then dry it. Yep, it’s one more step—but worth it. If you let moisture sit, you could get streaks or even paint bubbling, especially on older trim.
For stubborn marks, a little extra effort goes a long way
Still seeing marks? I’ve used a regular pencil eraser before. Or a magic eraser if the paint can handle it.
Always test a small spot first. Some finishes don’t like abrasion, even gentle kinds.
Once everything’s clean, and if you’re feeling ambitious, you can rub a little furniture wax or polish across the surface. Helps dust slide right off next time. But it’s optional.
Keep up with it—future you will thank you
You don’t have to deep clean baseboards weekly, but dusting them every so often makes the job easier next time.
A dry cloth during your usual cleaning routine will do the trick. Or even a quick pass with the vacuum brush if it’s already out.
That’s really all there is to it. Cleaning baseboards isn’t thrilling, but it is one of those things that makes the room feel better afterward. Like clearing clutter or washing windows. Nobody thanks you for it, but you’ll notice.
So if you’ve been avoiding it, maybe today’s the day. Grab a cloth, put on something to listen to, and start in the hallway. Once one room’s done, the rest doesn’t feel so bad.
