July 23, 2021

How to Clean White Baseboards

When was the last time you cleaned your baseboards? If you have white baseboards, you know that they tend to show dust and dirt a little easier. I have ‘clean baseboards’ as part of my cleaning routine and like most tasks, it’s easier if you keep up with it in lieu of letting it slide and cleaning it when you can’t stand it anymore.

Cleaning baseboards is one of the tasks on my monthly calendar (free here and also in the Homekeeping Society subscription). If the thought of cleaning the baseboards in your home sounds daunting and more than overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.

If your baseboards are especially dirty or if you have dirt in cracks and crevices, use a dry brush to get in those tough spots.

I frequently vacuum the baseboards on Wednesdays when I am already vacuuming. Attaching this cleaning task to vacuuming works well because I already have the vacuum cleaner out. Curious what I vacuum with and how I use those attachments? Check out this post.

I am always amazed by what a difference having clean baseboards makes. It is an easy task to tackle in a couple of hours if you are up to doing your whole home, or in smaller increments if you prefer going room by room. I have THREE cleaning options to choose from. Pick the one that matches what simple ingredients you have on hand or who in your home is doing the cleaning. Ready for some options?

Castile Cleaner:

Castile soap is the ultimate gentle detergent that is free of dyes, artificial scents and chemicals. It is available in the natural beauty aisle at many retailers or on Amazon. If you don’t happen to have any on hand, you can also substitute your favorite dish soap that you would use for hand washing dishes. This cleaner can be used on both painted and wood baseboards.

• 4 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon castile or dish soap

Optional: 2 drops lemon or your favorite essential oil for a little extra scent boost

Mix ingredients together in a bucket. Using a barely damp microfiber cloth, a bar mop towel, or a well wrung out sponge, wipe as you go, rinsing the cloth or sponge frequently.

Borax Based Cleaner:

Borax is an effective, inexpensive natural mineral that works well in a number of cleaning situations, including cleaning painted baseboards. It can be found in the laundry or cleaning aisle of many stores.

• 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon Borax
• 2-4 cups warm water

Stir to dissolve. You can use this with the traditional bucket cleaning method or decant into a spray bottle (if you put it in a spray bottle make sure you mix with hot water to fully dissolve the Borax). I like to use microfiber cloths to clean as they do a great job of getting in all those nooks and crannies and they don’t spread the dirt around, but you can also use a sponge. Just be sure to wring until damp and not dripping. No rinsing required.

Baby Wipes:

Yes, this option is the least eco-friendly of the three, but it is perfect for kids and their nimble knees. I have these on hand for the kids to clean with. I love that the amount of liquid is controlled so you won’t have an overturned bucket of water or puddles everywhere. It’s perfect for adults too as it is the quickest of three and requires no prep. This is a task that can be included on kid’s weekly chores so that dirt and dust doesn’t have as much of a chance to accumulate.

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There is no need to dread or fear cleaning baseboards when armed with these simple methods and DIY cleaner options. Choose one today and look forward to sparkling white trim in no time.