Why Clean Baseboards and Floor Edges?
As a homeowner, cleaning baseboards and floor edges is an important part of my whole house cleaning routine. Though they are out-of-sight spaces, dust and dirt accumulate in corners and along edges over time. Thoroughly cleaning these spaces helps me:
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Remove allergens – Dust contains allergens like pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. Vacuuming corners and edges removes these allergens so they don’t get stirred up into the air. This helps improve indoor air quality.
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Prevent pest infestations – Crumbs and dirt buildup attract pests like cockroaches and silverfish. Vacuuming and cleaning corners denies them food sources and habitat.
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Improve aesthetics – Over time, dirt buildup along floor edges can make a room look dingy. Cleaning baseboards and edges makes the whole room look brighter and more polished.
When to Clean Baseboards and Edges
Here are some good times to clean baseboards and floor edges:
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During weekly or biweekly deeper cleaning – Set aside time to thoroughly vacuum and clean baseboards and floor edges when doing deeper cleaning.
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Before entertaining guests – Give special attention to corners and edges when cleaning before visitors come over. This extra touch makes the whole home look cared for.
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During seasonal deep cleaning – Do a thorough job cleaning edges during yearly spring or fall cleaning sessions. Vacuum and scrub away a year’s worth of buildup.
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When moving furniture – When rearranging a room, take advantage of exposed areas behind moved furniture to clean edges.
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After renovations or repairs – Construction dust can coat edges. Give the room a good vacuuming once the work is complete.
What You Need to Clean Baseboards and Edges
Having the right tools makes cleaning corners and floor edges much easier:
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Vacuum – Use the vacuum’s brush attachment and crevice tool to suck up dust and debris.
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Microfiber cloths – These grab and hold onto dust effectively. Dampen them to wipe down baseboard surfaces.
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Old toothbrush or other small scrub brush – For scrubbing dirt out of corners or around floor vents.
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Broom – Softer brooms are great for sweeping out cobwebs and dirt in corners.
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Mop – Use a damp mop to clean floor edges along walls and into corners.
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All-purpose cleaner – An all-purpose cleaner or multi-surface spray helps break up grime.
Step-by-Step Process for Cleaning Baseboards and Edges
Follow these steps for a complete baseboard and floor edge cleaning process:
1. Vacuum the Floor Edge Perimeter and Baseboards
Use the vacuum crevice tool and brush attachment to thoroughly vacuum floor edges along walls and at corners. Also vacuum up and down the entire baseboard surface. This removes layers of dust and debris.
2. Sweep Out Cobwebs and Dirt from Corners
Use a broom to gently sweep out cobwebs, hair, dirt, and other debris from room corners and ceiling edges. Get into cracks and crevices.
3. Damp Mop Floor Perimeters
Use a damp mop to wipe floor edges along walls and into corners. This picks up fine dust and dirt missed by the vacuum.
4. Scrub Tough Stains on Baseboards
Use a small scrub brush or old toothbrush and all-purpose cleaner to scrub off any remaining tough dirt or stains on baseboards. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
5. Return Furniture and Indulge in Clean Corners!
Replace any furniture you’ve moved to access the edges. Step back and admire your immaculate corners and baseboards!
Extra Tips and Tricks
Follow these additional pointers for fabulous floor edges:
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Vacuum edges first before mopping floors – this contains dust and prevents spreading dirt onto freshly cleaned floors.
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Use a telescoping duster or vacuum attachment with an angled head to reach cobwebs in ceiling corners.
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Apply a baseboard cleaning solution like Murphy’s Oil Soap and let it soak to lift old wax or dirt buildup before scrubbing.
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Schedule an annual HVAC system cleaning to vacuum out floor vents and registers.
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Caulk cracks and gaps along baseboards to prevent dirt buildup.
With the right schedule and techniques, you can keep the out-of-the-way corners and floor perimeters looking their best. Tackling this often-overlooked cleaning task brings an extra level of freshness and polish to the home.
