8 tips for cleaning walls and baseboards

Cleaning your walls probably isn't at the top of your list of chores. And baseboards tend to be forgotten, because you don't look at them too closely. No matter how much you ignore them, though, these parts of your house still need to be cleaned.

Cleaning walls and baseboards doesn't have to turn into a huge ordeal, though. In fact, it's fairly simple if you know what you're doing. Check out this list of tips to keep in mind when cleaning your walls and baseboards.

Before you get to any cleaning, dust your walls with a broom. Just slide the broom down the walls in a sweeping motion. If you're dealing with a lot of dust, wrap a towel around the broom to catch more dirt.

To avoid damaging the paint on your walls, always start with your mildest cleaner: water. Then, move on to a tougher cleaner: water and dish soap. If that doesn't get the job done, then use 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda combined in a gallon of warm water.

Don't sacrifice your floors just to get your walls clean. Whether you have carpet or hardwood floors, put down towels or tarps to protect against drips.

Figure out if the paint on your walls is oil-based or latex. This is important because latex paint requires gentler cleaners than oil-based paint.

Depending on how dirty your walls are and how many different cleaners you use, you'll go through multiple sponges. If you keep using the same sponge, a lot of grime will build up on that sponge. Also, use a new sponge with its own bucket for rinsing to avoid cross-contamination from dirty sponges and buckets.

One way to remove the dust from your baseboards without tiring out your back is to use your vacuum. Hook up a brush attachment and slowly drag it across the baseboards to vacuum up the dust without having to bend down.

For really disgusting baseboards, a spray degreaser might be your best option. Spray a generous amount onto your baseboards, let it sit for a few seconds, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Never estimate the simplest cleaning solutions. If your baseboards aren't terrible but still need a quick clean, grab a few baby wipes. Just wipe along the baseboard and then toss the wipes in the trash.