How to Clean Skirting Boards (Baseboards) Quickly
Skirting boards collect dust, scuffs and pet hair, and they're easy to forget. Here's a fast way to clean them, and keep them clean.
TidyGo team3 min read
Skirting boards (called baseboards in the US) are the boards that run along the bottom of your walls. Because they're low down, they collect dust, hair, scuffs from shoes and the vacuum cleaner, and splashes in kitchens and bathrooms. They're also one of the first things a letting agent checks when you move out.
Here's how to clean them quickly, without spending all afternoon on your knees.
What you need
- A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- A bucket of warm water with a little washing-up liquid
- Microfibre cloths
- An old toothbrush or cotton buds, for corners
- A melamine sponge (often called a "magic eraser"), for scuffs
Step 1: Vacuum the dust off first
Run the vacuum's brush attachment along the top of the skirting and the gap where it meets the floor. If you wipe before you vacuum, the dust just turns into a muddy smear.
Step 2: Wipe with warm, soapy water
- Dip a microfibre cloth in warm water with a little washing-up liquid.
- Wring it out well. You want it damp, not dripping. MDF skirting (very common in newer homes) can swell if it gets too wet.
- Wipe along the top edge first, then the face.
- Use an old toothbrush or cotton bud for corners, door frames and the grooves in decorative skirting.
Step 3: Remove scuffs and marks
- Black scuffs: rub gently with a damp melamine sponge. Test a hidden spot first, as it's slightly abrasive and can dull glossy paint.
- Sticky marks in kitchens: a little extra washing-up liquid on your cloth will cut through grease.
- Marks that won't move: the paint may be worn. A quick touch-up with matching paint can look better than more scrubbing.
Step 4: Dry them
Go over the skirting with a dry microfibre cloth. This stops water marks and soaks up any moisture before it gets into the wood.
How to avoid kneeling
- Use a flat microfibre mop with a damp head to wipe skirting while standing up.
- Or put a microfibre cloth over the end of a long-handled duster.
- Save the kneeling for the corners and any stubborn marks.
How to keep skirting boards clean for longer
- Dust them every week or two with a microfibre cloth or duster. Light dust takes seconds; thick dust takes ages.
- Wipe them when you mop, while the bucket's out anyway.
- Choose washable paint (satin or eggshell) when you redecorate. It's much easier to wipe clean than matt.
How often should you clean skirting boards?
| Job | How often |
|---|---|
| Quick dust | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Wipe with soapy water | Once a month |
| Full clean of all skirting, door frames and switches | Every 3–6 months, and before you move out |
Which? also lists the things you should clean every week in your home.
Let us do it
Skirting boards, door frames and light switches are all part of a TidyGo deep clean, at £22 an hour per cleaner. Moving out? Our end of tenancy checklist shows everything letting agents look at, and our end of tenancy clean covers it all.
Planning your cleaning? See how often to clean each part of your home.
