Cleaning Baseboards & Crown Moulding
Baseboards and crown moulding are among the most overlooked surfaces in Ontario homes — and among the most visible indicators of how thoroughly a home has been cleaned. A room with spotless floors and counters but dirty baseboards still looks unkempt. Here's how to approach them properly.
Baseboards
Baseboards accumulate dust on their top horizontal surface, scuff marks from shoes and vacuum cleaners on their face, and occasional spills or stains at floor level. The cleaning approach depends on what you're addressing:
- Dust only: A damp microfibre cloth or a vacuum brush attachment along the top edge handles weekly dust removal effectively
- Scuff marks: A melamine foam sponge (Magic Eraser) removes scuff marks without damage to most painted baseboard surfaces — test in an inconspicuous area first on high-gloss paint
- Thorough clean: Wipe with a diluted all-purpose cleaner on a microfibre cloth — top surface, face, and base. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water pooling at the base
Crown Moulding
Crown moulding at the ceiling junction accumulates fine dust on its horizontal surfaces and the upper edge where it meets the ceiling. Reaching it safely requires either a step ladder or an extension duster specifically designed for moulding profiles. A damp cloth draped over a flat-edge tool (or your gloved hand) works better than a round duster for getting into the profile's concave surfaces.
When to Paint vs. Clean
If baseboards are yellowed, chipped, or have scuff marks that don't respond to cleaning, repainting (typically $15–$30 per room for DIY materials) is more effective than cleaning. In a move-out situation, landlords in Ontario can deduct baseboard repainting from the deposit if the damage exceeds normal wear and tear.