How to Clean Baseboards: A Quick Guide

Figuring out how to clean baseboards is fairly straightforward but requires a few tips and tricks to get it done right. Otherwise, your clean and tidy apartment can look unkempt and shabby with dusty, dirty baseboards. You can make cleaning baseboards part of a specialty cleaning routine, like during a deep clean, decluttering, or spring cleaning.

We laid out everything you need to get your apartment looking sparkling again. Our goal is to make baseboard cleaning easy so you can get on with your day as quickly as possible. Here’s how to get the job done right and keep your floor baseboards looking clean year-round.

How to Clean Painted Baseboards

Many apartments have painted baseboards that are more durable and can help deflect wear, tear, and grime. Paints with a glossy shine are more prone to repelling dirt than matte paints. You can follow these steps to get your floorboard molding looking fresh again, which could also help win favor with your landlord when it’s time for you to move out.

Here’s how to clean baseboards without removing paint:

1. Vacuum

The best way to clean baseboards starts with tools you already have around your apartment. Use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment and cruise along the length of your baseboards from the ledge to your apartment's flooring. Spend extra time in the corners and any areas where dust collects — particularly if there’s a spot with a gap between the baseboard and the floor.

2. Scrub Off Stains and Buildup

Next, prepare a gentle cleaning solution by mixing a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of warm water. The mild detergent will effectively break down the dirt without harming the paint or finish.

Dampen a soft sponge or microfiber cloth in this solution, wringing out any excess water so it's not dripping wet. Gently wipe down the baseboards, paying special attention to areas with noticeable dust or scuff marks. The combination of warm water and dish soap should effectively remove most of the dirt.

3. Use a Cotton Swab for Hard-to-Reach Spots

To effectively utilize cotton swabs in your baseboard cleaning process, prepare your water and dish soap solution as mentioned earlier. Once ready, dip the end of a cotton swab into the mixture, ensuring it's damp but not dripping wet.

Carefully use the swab to target corners, crevices, and any gaps in your baseboards where dust and grime tend to accumulate. The cotton tip will pick up dirt, allowing you to pull it out from those tricky spots. You'll notice that dirt quickly discolors the cotton, so you might need to use several swabs to thoroughly clean all the hard-to-reach areas.

4. Remove Baseboard Cleaner Residue

After scrubbing and swabbing your baseboards, you'll need to remove all the residue. Use a clean microfiber cloth and warm water to wipe your baseboards down. This step should also remove any leftover grime and soap.

5. Finish with a Dryer Sheet

This step is often overlooked, but it’s important to create a barrier to repel dust and dirt. Rub your baseboards with a fresh dryer sheet to keep your apartment looking clean and tidy for longer.

How to Clean Wooden Baseboards

Stained, wood baseboards and trim add character to your apartment but require more care. You can buy specialty cleaners to clean these baseboards, but there are do-it-yourself solutions you might want to try first. Here’s what to use to clean baseboards.

1. Vacuum

Start by vacuuming your baseboards, just like you would if they were painted. Using a vacuum with a brush attachment can be particularly helpful, as it gently loosens dust without causing damage. Afterward, wipe down the surface with a dry microfiber cloth. This ensures any lingering dust or dirt is captured, giving your baseboards a smooth and clean finish.

Painted baseboards often seal away any cracked or splintered sections of wood, acting as a protective layer. However, when dealing with unpainted wooden baseboards, it's crucial to tread with extra care. These baseboards can have porous surfaces and minute fissures where fibers from cleaning cloths can get trapped.

2. Use a Wood-Safe Cleaner

You'll then want to create a gentle cleaning solution: mix a quarter-cup of dish soap and a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a bucket of warm water. Not only does this mixture effectively lift dirt, but the vegetable oil also enhances the wood's natural shine. Selecting the right cleaning solution is crucial; a poor choice could damage the wood and potentially impact your security deposit.

When cleaning, dampen a soft cloth with your solution, wringing out any excess. Wipe the baseboards section by section, ensuring you don't oversaturate the wood. Using the cleaner sparingly keeps the task efficient and minimizes mess. Afterward, quickly dry the baseboards with another cloth to prevent moisture damage.

3. Use a Cotton Swab for Tight Spots

Again, cotton swabs are your friend, and they quickly turn into the ideal baseboard cleaner tool. Not only are they perfect for squeezing into hard-to-reach crevices to absorb excess moisture, but their fine tips can also navigate the smallest of gaps. Squeeze them into hard-to-reach crevices to absorb excess moisture. It should also lift out any remaining dirt.

4. Wipe Away Soap

Grab a cleaning sponge and rinse with hot water before wringing it out and wiping down your baseboards. You'll remove any soap and residue while leaving the vegetable oil to protect the natural properties of the wood.

5. Buff with a Microfiber Cloth

Now that your wooden baseboards are clean, dry them off with a microfiber cloth. Giving them another wipe-down with a dryer sheet will help your baseboards repel dirt and dust and keep them looking polished longer.

4 Alternative Ways to Clean Baseboards

Beyond using a vacuum, soap, and water, there are some additional ways to clean baseboards. Here are some simple, effective methods to add to your apartment cleaning list.

1. Cleaning Wipes

Cleaning wipes and baby wipes make baseboard cleaning easy for speedy cleanup. Keep them in a cabinet with your cleaners or near problematic areas that are prone to collecting dust or spills, such as your bathroom baseboards or your kitchen baseboards in your kitchenette.

2. Melamine Sponges

Melamine sponges are amazing when it comes to removing scuffs, stains, and stubborn spots. You can also use them to clean baseboards with the help of warm water. If your baseboards are painted, you can add some distilled vinegar to a solution of warm water and dish soap. Dip your melamine sponge in the mixture, wring it out, and wipe it over your baseboards to get them sparkling clean.

Dryer Sheets

Dryer and fabric softener sheets keep your apartment smelling fresh while lifting away dust, lingering dog hair, and dirt. This baseboard cleaning hack also offers further protection by repelling dust and grime, reducing the need for maintenance.

Old Socks

After spraying it gently with soap and water, an old sock becomes an easy baseboard cleaning tool. Good thing socks come in pairs because a second, dry sock can help wipe away dust. Just throw them in the laundry when you’re done for a quick cleanup.

Final Thoughts

Figuring out how to clean baseboards is straightforward and gets your apartment feeling fresh. You may even notice a difference in your air quality and how well you can breathe. You don’t need to clean baseboards every week, but adding them to your apartment cleaning routine is worthwhile maintenance.

Are you thinking about making a move to a new apartment with hardwood floors, carpet, or just a fresh space to make your own? Sign up with Apartment List and take a short quiz to springboard you toward the perfect place for you. With us, you’ll spend 5 minutes and save 50 hours searching.