Cleaning skirting boards has never been this easy: A step-by-step guide  

Your other half is on a mission to clean the whole house. They’ve been super thorough and the job is finally done. They collapse down onto the sofa, exhausted, but not before you tentatively point out that they, erm, forgot to clean the skirting boards. 

But that’s OK – because everyone forgets the skirting boards: caked in dust or covered in whatever went SPLAT on the wall before dripping down onto them. You're more than ready for the challenge though, because what says, “I love you too,” better than working together to get the job done?

Besides, once you know how to clean skirting boards, it’s a really simple thing to stick on the list. Plenty Max makes the task even easier, as it works as both a skirting board duster and a cleaner.  

The best way to clean skirting boards

When it comes to cleaning skirting boards or baseboards, there are some key steps to follow. Once you’re prepared and know what to use it’s a doddle when someone forgets to dust them (or when your pet decides it’s their new favourite itching post). Here’s how to clean baseboards and skirting boards:

1. How to stop dust on skirting boards

The first step, whether you’re cleaning moderately or heavily stained skirting boards, is to dust. They are a magnet for dust, and you need to get rid of it before moving on. When choosing a skirting board duster, a strong paper towel works really well. Plenty MAX is great at removing dust and grime on skirting boards especially when dampened; simply run along the top and edges to pick up stray pet hairs. It remains strong even when wet and picks up all the mess, which makes it more than up to the job!

One of the best ways to clean baseboards is to follow up this dusting stage with a vacuum cleaner around the surrounding carpet. Click the brush attachment onto your vacuum and suck up any remaining debris on the skirting boards themselves, then turn your attention to the floor below. If you’re going for a spring clean of the carpet, then check out our top 3 tips to get your carpet back to its glory days. If you’re just spot cleaning, you’ll only need the first dust. And if your vacuum cleaner is struggling — check it’s not full of the last spill that happened in the house! 

2. The best thing to clean skirting boards with

Once all the dust is gone, you’ll need to decide what to use to clean the baseboards. As with a lot of cleaning solutions, often all you need is a little soapy water:

1. Immerse a piece of kitchen paper in hot, soapy water.
2. Squeeze it out and wipe down the skirting.
3. Repeat the process as necessary before clearing any leftover soapy residue with clean water and a new cloth. 

3. What to do with heavily stained skirting boards

If simple soap and water fails, a vinegar solution is the best way to clean skirting boards. The acidic nature of the vinegar will help break down any stubborn residue and get rid of nasty marks. Here’s how to clean baseboards with vinegar:

1. Combine white vinegar with warm water.
2. Dip a strong, absorbent kitchen towel into the solution.
3. Always test any new cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area to check for any adverse reactions before proceeding.
4. Apply pressure and rub at the stain.
5. Wipe down with clean water.

Skirting boards are one of those things that just accumulate dirt and gunk – you might not notice it happen, but at least cleaning them is easy. It’s a small thing, but all the small things make a difference to you and your family. And before you go, check out more dusting tips from Plenty!