I Tried 8 Tricks for Cleaning Baseboards, and the Winner Picked Up Every Speck of Dust
Cleaning baseboards is one of my least favorite tasks. There are so many planes, creases, and tiny ledges where dirt, dust, and pet fur settle and seem to stick. However, when they are clean, it instantly makes my home feel tidier. So while I try to run a duster over the baseboards every time I clean, every few months or so I gear up for a more thorough baseboard cleaning session.
Because I have a large family and two dogs, the task might be more arduous for me than others. The baseboards, especially downstairs, build up quite a layer of dirt. I wanted to find the best way to clean baseboards, so I tested eight different methods, including popular and straightforward techniques, and even a few unusual tactics. Here’s how it went — and the winning methods that rose to the top.
The Best Way to Clean Baseboards
Steam cleaner method: While the steam cleaner heats the water, dust the baseboards to remove loose dirt. Add the detail nozzle to your steamer and spot test on an inconspicuous area to make sure that the steam won’t damage the paint. Make sure to move the cleaner as quickly as possible, not lingering in any one spot too long so no area would get overly saturated as you steam. As soon as the grime is loosened, wipe the area with a microfiber rag.
How I Tested the Methods
For each method I tested, I tried to pick a section of baseboard about 18 inches long with approximately the same amount of dirt, dust, and scuff marks. I considered how easy each method was to set up and execute, and paid special attention to how well each cleaned tricky corners, crevices, and tiny ledges.
The ratings: I based my ratings on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. I considered several factors, including how simple the method was to implement, how much effort was involved, and how effective the method was overall.
Method 3: Magic Eraser
Rating: 3/5
Method: To use a Magic Eraser to clean my baseboards, I got a fresh one, wet it, and wrung it out. I ran the Magic Eraser over the baseboard section, cleaning several times and applying more pressure to areas with more significant scuffing or dirt.
How it went: Using Magic Erasers is historically one of my go-to methods. I like how with one tool, I can pick up dust and dirt and remove tougher marks and scuffs. Magic Erasers fall short when it comes to those harder-to-reach spots, like the angles where the top of the baseboard meets the wall, and the corners. But where it does work, it really works.
Method 4: Cleaning Wipe
Rating: 3/5
Method: Using a cleaning wipe is as straightforward as it gets. I just pull a wipe from the container and clean a section of baseboard from top to bottom. One wipe covers a good deal of baseboard.
How it went: Using cleaning wipes to clean baseboards is one of my favorite ways to use old disinfecting wipes that are past their expiration date and no longer reliable as disinfectants. They’re great at picking up dust, and because they’re thin it’s easy to use a fingernail through the wipe to get into those crevices where dirt hides and clings. While they lift some dirty marks, they don’t do anything to remove scuff marks.
Method 5: Broom
Rating: 4/5
Method: To use a broom to clean my baseboards, I grabbed my handheld broom to get closer to where I could see the dirt and dust (as opposed to using a broom with a regular handle) for the best results. I ran it along the entirety of the baseboard several times, applying pressure to get the bristles into every groove.
How it went: This was the quickest method, and I was surprised at how well it worked. Because I used a handheld broom, I could see things better and apply pressure against the baseboard to remove dirt, fur, and dust everywhere except the corners. The broom didn’t remove scuffs or dirt marks, and dirt and dust were merely displaced, not lifted, so it would be best to use this method before vacuuming.
Method 6: Dryer Sheet and Vacuum Cleaner
Rating: 4.5/5
Method: This method involves using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment and then securing a dryer sheet around the brush attachment with a rubber band to clean your baseboards.
How it went: I love this method. The bristles of the brush (even though they’re covered) help dislodge the dust and dirt from the baseboards. In addition, the suction of the vacuum cleaner lifts up the dirt and dust, which pretty much sticks to the dryer sheet even if it’s not completely sucked into the vacuum canister.
The dryer sheet leaves a dust-repellent layer on the baseboards and leaves them smelling nice, and the fact that it was attached to the vacuum cleaner gave me enough distance that it didn’t make me sneeze. Although this method doesn’t address the corners or scuffs, it’s a quick and thorough method for when I don’t have the time or energy for the full shebang.
Method 7: The Thorough Method
Rating: 5/5
Method: This method involves a combination of several others, gleaning the best parts of each. I used the broom to dust the baseboards quickly and then took a rag sprayed with a cleaning solution to wipe down the baseboards by hand. I opted for a thin terry cloth rag so that I could get into the grooves. Next, I used a Magic Eraser to address scuffs. Finally, I used a cotton swab that I wet with my cleaning spray to get into the corners and other areas that the rag couldn’t get.
How it went: This method left me with the cleanest baseboards, but it was one of the most time-consuming. I wouldn’t be able to do this thorough of a job very frequently because of the sheer number of steps, but it yields the deepest clean. I liked how each part of this method had a specific focus (broom for dusting, rag for cleaning, Magic Eraser for scuffs, and cotton swab for corners) and how it addressed every issue.
Method 8: Steam Cleaner
Rating: 5/5
Method: I grabbed my Karcher steam cleaner and a microfiber rag. While the steam cleaner heated up, I dusted the baseboards to remove loose dirt. I fitted my steamer with the detail nozzle and spot tested on an inconspicuous area to make sure the steam wouldn’t immediately damage the paint. I made sure to move the cleaner as quickly as possible, not lingering in any one spot too long so no area would get overly saturated. As soon as the grime was loosened, I wiped the area with the microfiber rag.
How it went: This method was so quick, easy, and satisfying. I’ve never used a method that so thoroughly lifted stuck-on, stubborn grime on my baseboards. In addition, shooting a blast of steam and swiping with a rag is so much easier than trying to get into corners with a cotton swab! I love this method and it’ll be my go-to from now on, even though I know I need to be careful not to expose the wood to excess moisture. (Note: If you have wood floors, you also need to be careful that water doesn’t drip down onto those.)
Conclusion
It’s clear from the ratings (and photos) that the two winners were the most thorough method and the steam cleaner method — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a time and place for some of the others I tested. For instance, I’ll use the broom method for a quick weekly dusting and might rotate using a Magic Eraser and cleaning wipes when I need a bit of a deeper clean but am short on time. When I determine that the baseboards need a deep clean, though, one of the winners will be my go-to.
The steamer method was quick and incredibly effective, but of course it requires you to own a steam cleaner. It also runs the risk of damaging your paint or wood baseboards and flooring, so be sure to test an inconspicuous area before getting started. The thorough method also requires several cleaning tools, but each step is simple and straightforward enough that you can mix and match depending on your needs.