How to Clean Baseboards
Baseboards are the most consistently skipped surface in most homes. They sit at floor level, accumulate dust, pet hair, and scuff marks, and make a room look dirty even when everything else is clean. Here's how to do them properly and efficiently.
The Right Method
Step 1 — Dust first: Use a dry microfibre cloth or a vacuum crevice attachment to remove loose dust and pet hair. Don't skip this — wiping without dusting first turns dry dust into a grey paste.
Step 2 — Wipe with damp cloth: Dampen a microfibre cloth with warm water and a small amount of all-purpose cleaner. Wipe along the top edge of the baseboard where dust accumulates, then the face, then the bottom edge.
Step 3 — Scuffs: For black scuff marks (usually from shoes), a Magic Eraser works best. For painted baseboards, test in an inconspicuous spot first.
Step 4 — Dry: Wipe with a dry cloth to prevent water marks on white baseboards.
Making It Faster
A long-handled duster or a microfibre mop with a flat head makes baseboard cleaning much faster than getting on your hands and knees for every room. For deep cleaning, a steam cleaner works very well on baseboards and sanitizes at the same time.
How Often
Monthly for homes with pets (hair accumulates fast). Every 2–3 months for pet-free homes. More frequently in high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.
Pro Tip: Dryer Sheets
After cleaning, wipe baseboards with a dryer sheet. The anti-static coating repels dust for several weeks — significantly reducing how often you need to clean them.
Maidless cleaners clean baseboards on every deep clean and move-out clean. Book at maidless.ca.