The Best Ways To Clean Your Skirting Boards

Dusting & Vaccuming

First and foremost, if you’re looking to minimise signs of wear and tear to your skirting or baseboards, a weekly dusting and vacuuming is definitely in order. “There’s no doubt that skirting boards can sometimes be a real nightmare to clean,” admit the experts at Skirting4U. “If you are someone that prefers more intricate and detailed skirting boards then you will no doubt have noticed a large dust build up in the finer details of the board. A dust and a vacuum should really be the first stage of your skirting board deep clean. Using the vacuum where you can is a great way of getting rid of a large build-up of dust in a quick and easy way. The duster will allow you to clean different angles and focus on the hard-to-reach spots.” The experts recommend you use a microfibre cloth to dust, as these are specially designed to pick up more debris and give you a cleaner finish.

Soap & Warm Water

“A bucket of warm soapy water and a cloth is definitely the most traditional way to clean your skirting boards,” say the Skirting4U pros. “You can get a great finish and shine on your boards with a little scrub. It’s important to ensure you ring out the cloth before using it on your skirting boards so it is damp not wet.” Furthermore, Instagram cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch recommends using fabric softener as a substitute for soap in this mixture. Not only will it help you remove dirt and grime, she says, it will also leave your boards with a clean and fresh scent. Some extoll the virtues of homemade solutions like vinegar and water, but experts warn this could interfere with the finish of your paint. If in doubt, try something like Cif Cream, which won’t be too harsh.

Bleach & Sprays

For stubborn dirt or marks, it’s tempting to reach for the bleach and strong sprays to improve the look of your woodwork. But not only do they have a strong odour, they could also have a damaging effect on your paint work. “For regular cleans, we wouldn’t recommend using such strong detergents, but they are great if you need to remove tougher stains that just won’t budge with the use of warm soapy water,” advises Skirting4U. “Do a small patch test on your skirting boards with your chosen detergent to ensure that there is no damage to the boards and the paint doesn’t begin to warp or wipe away.”

A Baseboard Mop

If the look of pristine skirting boards is really important to you, it might be worth investing in a baseboard mop. “This specialist cleaning tool for skirting boards is a great way of reaching difficult angles and prevents the use of multiple different cleaning elements in the process, all while standing up,” add the Skirting4U pros. “They can easily be found online and are not too expensive – they’re definitely worth looking into if you have a large space to keep clean.”

Tumble Dryer Sheets

The experts admit it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but tumble dryer sheets can work wonders to keep skirting boards looking clean and shiny. “Laundry dryer sheets can work really well at preventing a large dust build up,” says Skirting4U. “The idea is that if you rub a laundry dryer sheet over clean skirting boards this will help prevent dust from sticking and building up due to the static. Consider this the final stage in your deep-clean process to prevent the need for regular scrub downs in the future. From there, do this a couple of times a month to reduce any unnecessary and unwanted build-up of dust.”

A Magic Eraser

For scuffs or marks you don’t think deserve a more intense paint touch-up treatment, it’s worth tracking down an in-demand ‘Magic Eraser’. It does, however, contain chemicals, so be wary of using it on painted skirting boards – particularly if they have a high-gloss or varnish finish. Try using one on a small, non-visible area first to see how it works. If you don’t notice any discernible damage, you’re probably okay to keep using it. The good news is, they can also be used in multiple places around the home – they’re particularly good for removing dirty grout on tiles and scuffs on painted walls. In a similar vein, Mrs Hinch recommends using cult product The Pink Stuff to wipe away stains and marks.

Cotton Buds

Finally, for intricately designed skirting boards (think wooden varieties with complicated carvings) a cotton bud can be a lifesaver. Perfect for getting into those deep corners, folds and tight spots, they’ll pick up far more grime than you expect, say the experts at Skirting4U: “Using a cotton bud to get into those small intricacies can be a huge benefit.”

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For more information on cleaning and maintaining your skirting boards, visit Skirting4U.co.uk

For more general cleaning tips, follow @MrsHinchHome.