Cleaning Vinyl Baseboards

It may surprise you, but cleaning the baseboards of a home is a cleaning chore that can be easily overlooked; it has something to do with that whole "out of sight, out of mind" thing that seems to strike most people every once in a while. Here are a few simple guidelines that anyone can use to help clean the most common of baseboards.

• Sweep or vacuum. When cleaning your vinyl baseboards, as with cleaning anything, it is always best to begin with a "pre-treatment" phase. In this case, you need to sweep or vacuum along the baseboards as appropriate for the flooring type. By sweeping or vacuuming along the baseboards, you are removing all of the loose particulates that can create a sludgy mess when wet. If you skip this step, then you run the risk of creating a larger mess than what you are trying to clean up.
• Mop. Vinyl is pretty easy to clean, and as such using a sponge mop can help reduce some back strain. Dip the mop into some warm soapy water, and then strain the mop till it is damp only. Run the mop along the baseboards, using a light pressure to scrub away any stain that may be in place. Repeat this as many times as necessary to remove the stains. Once you have removed the stains from the vinyl baseboards, allow the baseboards to air dry.
• Sponge scrub. The traditional method for cleaning baseboards is to use a sponge, or some other kind of soft rag, and warm soapy water. This method allows you to place as much, or as little, pressure as is needed to remove any stains from the boards. Work your way around the room in one direction, and one direction only—this keeps the possibility of spreading the dirt around in an area that you have already cleaned. While cleaning your baseboards though, you may need to change the warm soapy water a few times so don't be afraid to change it as needed.