How To Clean Your Skirting Boards Like A Pro
Alright, let’s chat skirting boards. Those sneaky little trimmings are usually running quietly around our rooms, but today, we’re going to give them the spotlight. If you’re wondering how to clean your skirting boards effectively, I’m here to share the nitty-gritty on cleaning and caring for them, drawing from my years of UK-based home cleaning experience
Know What You’re Dealing With
So, what’s your skirting board made of?
- Wood (painted or untreated): The classic choice. Memories of playing cars on my nan’s wooden skirting boards come flooding back whenever I see one. Funny how life turns out, eh?
- MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard): A staple in many modern homes. When considering how to clean your skirting boards made of MDF, remember: don’t drown them in water.
- PVCu (Plastic/Polyvinyl Chloride): If you’re clumsy with drinks like me, these might be your saving grace. Spills just clean straight off.
Gathering Your Cleaning Arsenal
Before diving into how to clean your skirting boards, it’s essential to have all your tools ready:
- Soft cloth or microfibre cloth: You should always keep plenty of these. Trust me, they’re handy for way more than just skirting boards.
- Warm soapy water: A drop of your everyday dish soap will do.
- Vacuum with a brush attachment or a soft brush: Not all vacuums come with brush attachments these days, but a hand brush is just fine.
- Bucket: Just to keep your soapy water close by.
- Old toothbrush: Great for getting into tight corners.
Setting The Stage
First things first, clear the area. Preparing your space is crucial when figuring out how to clean your skirting boards effectively. Move that furniture and give the floor a quick vacuum or dusting.
Skirting boards are often left or missed because they can be tricky to get to. Don’t have that as an excuse, move everything away from the walls before you start so that you don’t let anything stop you.
And here’s a lesson I learned the hard way: proper lighting. The first time I cleaned skirting boards, I was straining my eyes in dim light. A good lamp or room lighting can make a world of difference. Make sure you can see all the dust and grime!
The Main Event: Cleaning!
Dusting: Dust is sneaky. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment or a soft cloth to brush it away. And don’t be overzealous; you don’t want to end up with scratches all over.
Washing: Grab that bucket of warm soapy water, dampen your cloth, and get wiping. Remember, start from the top and work your way down. For those intricate nooks and corners, your old toothbrush will be your best friend.
Drying: Moisture, especially on wood, is a big no-no. Quickly follow up your washing with a thorough drying using a dry cloth.
Tackling Stubborn Marks: Got some stubborn scuff marks or mysterious stains? I still chuckle remembering my son’s crayon masterpiece on the skirting board. A magic eraser or a touch of stronger cleaner usually does the trick, but always test on a discreet spot first.
Pro Tips (Because You Deserve Them!)
For maintenance, a quick dust and wipe down once a month should do the trick. And if you’ve got kids or pets leaving their little marks, you might want to do this a tad more frequently.
Keeping your skirting boards dust free really helps to protect them. Lingering dust can turn to a dirty looking skirting board after a few months. So regulalry dust skirting boards to stop the accumulation.
When arranging your room, try to give your skirting boards some breathing space. Placing furniture too close often leads to scratches and scuffs. A bit of space can save you a lot of touch-ups later.
Leaving more skirting board visible also means you can get access to it more frequently to give it a quick dust.
If you find bending down to dust skirting boards a problem then invest in a long arm duster and you can quickly whizz round the room in no time.
If you find dust accumulates on skirting boards behind furniture then the long arm duster can also help you get access to those areas.
Final Flourish: The Polishing Act
Every so often, especially with wooden boards, consider giving them a polish. This removes dust that has started to get too comfortable, but also prevents new dust forming for a while.
Conclusion
To wrap up, skirting boards might be a small part of your room, but when they shine, the whole space feels cleaner and brighter. From playing on them as a child to now sharing tips on how to clean your skirting boards, they hold a special place in my heart. Happy cleaning, and may your boards always gleam!
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Diamond Home Support offers professional cleaning services and home help services in many parts of the UK.