9 easy ways to remove dust and dirt from baseboards
Cleaning baseboards is an easy job to overlook, and it has a reputation as a tedious household chore. But keeping baseboards clean of dust, hair, and splatters can greatly improve the appearance of any room. Ideally, baseboards in highly trafficked areas like the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom should be dusted weekly, while baseboards in rooms that see less activity can be cleaned monthly.
There are two general order-of-operations rules to follow when cleaning baseboards. First, dry dust; then, if needed, damp-clean baseboards. Always clean the room first, then the baseboards, then vacuum, mop, or sweep the floors.
When it comes to the right way to clean baseboards, there are a number of good options to choose from depending on the needs of your home and your cleaning style. All of the methods detailed in this guide work, and a good way to find the one that’s best for you is simply to try them out and see which one feels best. Think of it as the Goldilocks approach to baseboard cleaning: While vacuuming them might feel awkward for some, it may feel just right to another person.
1. Dust baseboards with microfiber.
Microfiber cloths and dusters use static electricity to pick up more particles than other types of cleaning cloths, making them ideal for cleaning baseboards, where dust, hair, and other environmental soils build up. Used dry, a microfiber cloth or duster easily picks up dust; used damp, it removes splatters and scuffs.
2. Vacuum dust from baseboards.
Add dusting the baseboards to your vacuuming routine by making use of the machine’s attachments. Most vacuums come with a soft brush attachment that can be used for dusting hard surfaces without causing scratches; if your vacuum doesn’t include this useful attachment, one can be purchased separately.
3. Use a broom to sweep baseboards.
Brooms, both short- and long-handled, can be used to sweep baseboards clean. Similarly, a (clean!) paintbrush can be used to dust and perform detail work on baseboards.
4. Choose a telescoping tool for dusting.
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