When a new home is built, a subdivision contractor may paint all walls with a low-grade big bucket of paint to keep costs down. Usually this paint is a major reason the baseboards do not look great.

Cleaning with the upholstery tool on the vacuum seems to help keep the baseboards clean. Some feather dusters used for Venetian blinds on the window, will help with dust on the baseboard.

It can be time consuming unless you keep a tote or bucket handy with all of the cleaning supplies you may need. Going back and forth to get another one makes your work take longer. Recommended supplies for mop boards or baseboards are also used on windowsills and perhaps over the door framing. So the tote could contain:

 Glass cleaner
 Disinfectant
 A spray cleaner for stubborn places
 Soft Scrub
 Sponges and maybe hand scrubbers
 Toothbrush for hard to reach areas
 Green scrubby
 Vacuum upholstery attachment
 Solution of vinegar and water to damp mop at the base if it is linoleum

Some times before the baseboard can be cleaned well, knick-knacks in the room must be cleaned. Banisters too, need a good cleaning. Any fireplace tools, mantle and hearth need cleaning. These will create dust on the baseboard. Any time a vacuum can be used, the dust in the air should be less.

There are several types of cleaning cloths for the baseboard. The group includes micro fiber cloths, lambs wool cloth, and a feather duster. Which ever you choose, the cloth should always be dry, if there is a lot of dust.

Manufacturers recommend the micro fiber cloth for the baseboards. This one can be dampened a little with good results.

If yours is a new home, it is likely there is drywall dust on your baseboards. Usually the cleanup crew that came in to get ready for you to move in does not get this off too well. The home might not have the electricity turned on. So the dust is white and sits there on the top edge. You are adding work to your cleaning if you get the drywall dust wet.

The white baseboards show dust from the heater vents etc. A feather duster can do the job well after the vents are cleaned well. If the paint on the baseboard is an economy low cost grade of paint, seems like the dust shows more.

Frequently homeowners will repaint the baseboards with semi gloss enamel and this type of paint cleans up nicely with a feather duster. A good oil base trim paint seems to be the top choice for cleaning easily. Also the baseboard will benefit from warm water soapy clean up in spring housecleaning.

One trick a `White Glove" cleaning agency employee uses, is to use Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaner on the baseboard. Using a clean white rag, pour some on the rag and rub onto the baseboard. Actually there is no need to dust first since the cleaner acts like a `dust magnet' and picks up the dust.

Most professional house cleaners will make sure the heater vents are vacuumed very well before doing anything with cleaning the baseboard. Another good move is an air filtration system. Removing particles of dust and pollen can also limit the amount of dust that could get onto the baseboard. These are some great tips for getting the dirt off of your baseboards.