What is floor baseboard? How to clean it?

Simple, traditional white walls are boring! You need a floor baseboard if you want something simple and modern that simultaneously adds to the space’s look. The floor baseboard (or skirting board) serves both as the protection of the wall and as decoration for the house. The 0.2-meter-high plank is mostly wood, MDF, or vinyl board. They are blended into the surroundings because you can nail, screw, or glue them to the wall. Covering the lowest part of the wall and the angles protect the gap between the wall and the floor; in this way, the wall is protected from hits, kicks, and furniture. On the other hand, simple baseboards are the best choice if you want a unique, contemporary look on your house. In contrast, adding more details, such as crowns, gives you a more traditional look.

Tip: Check out our extensive collection of luxury vinyl flooring available in San Jose, CA.

Floor Baseboard Types

Baseboards are in many shapes, sizes, and materials, but mostly-used types are as follows

• Wooden baseboards: They exist in both pre-printed and hardwood types. Pre-printed versions are single-piece wood, while hardwoods are lacquered or raw.
• Vinyl Baseboard: Glued to the wall, they are stronger than other types. They also have a longer life span, so the maintenance costs are lower than those of different types.
• Plastic Baseboard: They are made of various materials, the most common of which is UPVC. Since they are made of plastic, they are easily flexible and can be glued to the wall.
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): This is the most common material used for baseboards. It is made from wood fibers combined with wax and resin binders. Being cheaper than many baseboards, this kind has the advantage of being consistent in profile and thickness. Also, it resists shrinking, swelling, and absorption.
• Tile: Another type of baseboard that is frequently used is the tiles.

Note that these baseboards can be combined, such as tall, flat, and rounded baseboards, shaped MDF baseboards, crown baseboards, or jointed ones. You can match your baseboards material with your flooring material or wall material to have a stylish look. 

What is the importance of floor baseboards?

Besides the decorative aspect of baseboards, not having them in your house has a major shortcoming: the loss of protection for your walls, especially if you have small children running around the house or if you are worried that the angles will be indented while cleaning with mops, brooms, or vacuums. They also benefit you by absorbing anything that could have spilled on the wall and by keeping it dry.

From an aesthetic point of view, floor baseboards reveal your personality. If you want something simple, plain baseboards look good on your walls. However, if you want something more detailed, add some architectural designs. Or the combination of both gives you the look you want. The color of the type of baseboard you choose may not match the walls or other elements in the room; you can customize it by painting or staining so that it looks better in the space. Cleaning or washing even becomes easier when painted.

Tips: Check out our quality kitchen flooring sale in San Jose.

How to Clean floor baseboards?

It doesn’t matter if you have polished all over the house; dirty baseboards make it look untidy. Even if you or your guests do not notice, they change the house’s appearance. But don’t worry; baseboards are easy to clean. Below, you can find some tips on how to clean them:

First, remember that you should clean the baseboard at last since dust and dirt accumulate on the surface after sweeping and vacuuming.

• Vacuum: Vacuum the floor from top to bottom regularly to remove any dirt or dust; for the trims, you can use a toothbrush. Following a routine cleaning schedule is better since this method is quick.
• Brooms: Sweep dust and dirt from the baseboard without having to bend down. This way, you can easily use the brooms and brushes.
• Paint: Painting or staining baseboards are the best ways to keep them clean. Depending on the type of the baseboard, choose the paint that best matches it.
• Vinegar: Mix an appropriate amount of warm water, dish soap, and distilled white vinegar in a bucket. Then, scrub the surface with the mixture. Remember to dry the surface afterward; you can use a dry microfiber cloth or a sponge. Leaving water on the baseboards can damage them.
• Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil can renew and polish the baseboard, and since it doesn’t contain any chemical substance, it does less damage to your surface. Mix 1/4 cup of dish soap with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and warm water in a bucket. Then, use a sponge to wipe down the baseboard. You can remove the soap and leave the vegetable oil to protect the board. At the end, dry the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
• Dryer Sheets: Fabric sheets easily remove dirt and dust from the baseboard. They are the best choice if you have a pet home because they can lift pet hair.

FAQs

1. Why do I need a floor baseboard?
   Floor baseboards are protective and aesthetic. Baseboards are the best choice to protect the gap between the wall and the floor since they are easy to clean and financially affordable. Also, you can choose them in any size and shape depending on what design you want for your house.
2. What is the best way to clean baseboards?
   You can choose the best method depending on your type of baseboard, but a routine cleaning schedule keeps dust away. You can vacuum and broom the surface using the appropriate cleaner.
3. How should I clean painted baseboards?
   Paints make the baseboards look clean but are more durable and do not show dust and dirt. You can follow these steps to make them clean: First, vacuum the baseboard from top to bottom and brush the trim corners. Then, mix warm water and dish soap and scrub it on the surface. Use a dry microfiber cloth or sponge and wipe down the baseboard to remove the mixture. Finally, you can rub down a fresh dryer sheet. It provides a protective layer, keeping dirt and dust away from the surface.
4. What kind of soap is the best to use to clean baseboards?
   Oil-based or alkyd-acrylic dish soap is the best choice since it cuts grease and removes dirt without damaging the paint or the baseboard.
5. Can I bleach the baseboard to make it clean?
   It is suggested that the baseboard not be bleached. If you use something too abrasive on baseboards, they look worse because the bleach pulls the fibers off and does not clean them deeply.
6. How do you make old baseboards look new?
   If you want your baseboards to last longer, ensure you have a routine maintenance plan and take proper care of them. You can also paint the baseboards every two years to renew them. Magic erasers, dry sheets, vacuums, and toothbrushes are all practical ways to make them look new.