I Just Learned the Easiest Trick for Keeping Kitchen Baseboards Clean (I’ll Never Do It Another Way!)

Baseboards — those six to eight inches rising from where a wall meets the floor —  are easy to overlook in your kitchen cleaning routine. Not only are they way below eye-level, but baseboards don’t feel like a priority compared to the typical cleaning targets like countertops, sinks, fridges, or cabinets. 

But keeping your baseboards clean really does make your entire home look and feel cleaner. (In part because it actually is!) The good news is that cleaning your baseboards doesn’t have to be a backbreaking task. To find out the best way to clean baseboards, I talked to cleaning experts who shared their favorite methods, cleaning products, and how to tackle especially tough spots.

If you haven’t cleaned your baseboards in a while, the first step is to remove any surface dust that’s accumulated over time. New York City-based home organizing expert Caroline Solomon says it’s important to not wet the baseboard until that first layer of dust is gone to prevent the dust from getting rubbed around the surface.

She recommends using the dusting attachment or crevice tool of a vacuum with an extendable handle for this step “so you don’t have to bend over and break your back.” She adds that wiping down baseboards with a dry microfiber cleaning cloth also works (like this one). You can also attach the cloth to a broom or extendable duster with a rubber band to prevent hurting your back. 

Next, make a cleaning solution of warm water and mild dish soap and wipe down the baseboards with a damp microfiber cloth. You can do this step on the end of a broom or Swiffer, too. “For extra cleaning power, add some vinegar,” Solomon recommends. You may have to scrub to get rid of excess dust and grime. 

To minimize dust accumulation going forward, Solomon recommends running a dryer sheet along the baseboards. (The sheet’s anti-static properties help deter buildup in between cleanings.)

Kitchen baseboards can get especially dirty, thanks to a combination of cooking oils and heavy traffic. “In the kitchen it’s a bit different [from other baseboards in the home] because dust tends to coagulate, so it’s harder to clean,” says Grace Turner, director of operations at Rose Cleaning Company. For that reason, she recommends an industrial purple degreaser such as Zep. “It will melt grease away.” 

If it’s been a while, an initial clean may reveal a lot of stubborn buildup or even stains. Meghan Johnstone, founder of Rose Cleaning Company, recommends using crevice cleaning brushes for tough spots, while Solomon enlists a Magic Eraser to remove scuffs, wiping with a clean rag, or allowing the area to air dry. 

Well, it’s not quite that simple. “There’s no magic number. It depends where you live,” says Solomon. “I like doing a microfiber cleaning cloth once every two to three weeks.” 

Meghan Johnstone, founder of Rose Cleaning Company, says the more often, the better. “The best way to clean them is by maintaining them. Once you get the deep-clean out of the way, it’s easier to maintain them.” She recommends wiping baseboards down with a Swiffer or O-Cedar spin mop (which don’t require bending over) every other week, and cleaning with a product like Zep wall cleaner when needed. 

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: I Just Learned the Easiest Trick for Keeping Kitchen Baseboards Clean (I’ll Never Do It Another Way!)