How To Clean Your Skirting Boards Properly

Have you ever noticed how much dust collects on your skirting boards? Skirting boards are the design elements that adjoin your wall to your floor and protect your wall plaster from damage and destruction. But since these skirting boards are below eye level, we often skip cleaning them on a daily basis.

This causes a buildup of dirt, grime, dust mites, spills and stains and scuff marks on these areas that not only ruin the aesthetic appeal of your home but also cause a buildup of allergens.

Thus, it is necessary to wipe and scrub these skirting boards to keep your home clean and maintain hygienic indoor air quality.

Here are some useful tips on how to clean your skirting boards properly:

Steps To Clean Your Skirting Boards Properly 

Gather The Correct Cleaning Tools

As the first step, gathering all your cleaning tools in one place is necessary so you don’t have to keep running back and forth. Professional vacate cleaning Perth professionals use the following tools to deep-clean your skirting boards at the end of a home lease:

• Microfiber cloth
• Extendable brush
• White vinegar
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Magic eraser
• Cotton buds
• Toothbrush
• Paintbrush
• Soft-bristled brush

Tip:

Here are some essential tools to tackle any mess in your home.

Brush Loose Debris Off Your Skirting Boards

Next, you should use a soft-bristled brush to remove loose dust from your skirting boards. Before using a cleaning solution, this step is necessary so that you are not spreading wet dust around your baseboards and making them dirtier. First, take a soft-bristled brush and slowly move from top to bottom and left to right in circular motions.

When you clean your skirting boards from top to bottom, the dust will collect on the floor, and you can sweep it away. Using circular motions to cover every nook and corner of your boards is also a good idea.

Tip:

Here are some tips to help you prevent dust from accumulating in your home.

Make A Cleaning Solution With Soap And Water

Next, mix a few drops of dish soap with one cup of warm water and then create a lather. Now, dip a microfiber cloth in this solution, squeeze the excess water, and then wipe your skirting boards.

Use similar motions as when you dusted your skirting boards and move from top to bottom to cover all the areas. Make sure you use a clean cloth to wipe the soap solution off and remove any excess water so that it does not collect in the corners and cause damp spots that can cause harmful mould.

Clean Corners And Crevices With Cotton Buds

If dirt has collected in the corners and crevices of your boards, it can be hard to reach with a microfiber cloth. In such cases, bond cleaners in Perth recommend using a cotton bud to remove dust from the corners and crevices. For damp soil and dirt, you can also dip the cotton bud in water and vinegar and clean these areas.

Use Vinegar For Tough Stains And Scuff Marks

If your skirting boards are full of scuff marks or have tough stains, you can spray vinegar on a microfiber cloth and wipe them. The acetic acid in vinegar is powerful enough to remove greasy and oily stains and scuff marks. First, test the solution on a hidden part of your boards, as the acid in vinegar can scratch and damage certain materials.

If you do not like the smell of vinegar, you can use a magic eraser instead to remove scuff marks and stains.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you tackle stains and grime using vinegar solution:

• Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
• After approving a spot test, spray the solution directly onto the affected area of your skirting board.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to break down the stubborn stains, scuff marks and grime.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the area gently. You can also use a sponge to avoid scratches.
• Take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe away the leftover vinegar solution and dirt.
• Do not forget to dry the skirting board using a dry microfiber cloth or a mop. This will prevent water damage and keep the surface shiny.

Be Careful with Painted Skirting Boards

It is one of the crucial points that can help you maintain shiny skirting boards for years. Do not use abrasive tools or harsh cleaning products that may damage the paint finish if you have painted boards. Instead of using vinegar or any other natural cleaning product, test it on a hidden area and see how it reacts.

You can also use warm soapy water to tackle grime and stains and prevent the sparkling paint finish of your skirting boards.

Some Additional Tips: 

• It is a good idea to clean your baseboards at least every two to three weeks and give them a deep cleaning once a month.
• Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff your skirting boards regularly for a glossy finish.
• You can also use dryer sheets to wipe your skirting boards, as the static effect prevents dust from clinging to your boards and helps maintain them.
• If you have a back injury and cannot bend to clean your skirting boards, use an extendable brush or a microfiber cloth on a mop to clean your baseboards.

Tip:

Here are some more difficult spots to clean in your home. 

Conclusion

If you follow the above steps, you will be able to have glossy skirting boards that look good and are free from dirt and grime. You must first note the material of your boards and then test the cleaning solution you are using to prevent any marks and damages while scrubbing them.