As a homeowner, you are probably no stranger to dusting and cleaning common surfaces such as the kitchen counter, toilet, and dining table. But how often do you think about having clean ceilings?
If you can’t remember the last time you gave the crown molding on your ceilings a good cleaning, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. While these surfaces certainly don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as other areas in the house, if you go too long without cleaning them, the dirt and dust that accumulates can create stains on your molding that will make them harder to clean.
At Fresh Home Guide, it is our goal to make cleaning as simple as possible so that your home remains a clean and safe environment for your entire family. Here are our top tips for the best way to clean crown molding.
How Does Dust Accumulate
To reduce the amount of dust in your home, you must first understand where it comes from and how it accumulates. You may feel like your home is always dust, even after you’ve just done a bit clean. That may be because of the way you’re dusting. If you’re not dusting effectively, cleaning the surfaces of your home can actually kick up more dust than is being trapped.
Dust is comprised of hair, dirt, pet dander, skin cells, fabric fibers, and outdoor pollution. Because of this, it is impossible to completely eliminate dust in your home, as much as we may all wish to. However, there are things you can do to manage your dust including cleaning properly, frequently, and buying an air purifier for your home.
What You’ll Need
Don’t worry, you won’t need a fancy crown molding cleaning tool or crown molding cleaner. You can get the job done with the following common household items:
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- A bucker
- A dish sponge or microfiber cloth
- A duster or vacuum cleaner
- A magic eraser or melamine sponge
- A dryer sheet
- A ladder
Tips for Cleaning Crown Molding Properly
A major reason why people clean their crown molding so infrequently is because it is difficult to reach. If you need to use a ladder to clean your crown molding, always be sure to have a spotter nearby. Take your time, move the ladder frequently to keep up with the area you are cleaning, and try to avoid making any sudden or jerky movements.
Step 1: Dust or Vacuum the Surface
Start by using a vacuum or a duster to remove the dust and dirt from the surface. If you’re doing a deep clean of your home, always dust from the top down. This way, by the time you get to the floors, you can vacuum up and dust that fell from the ceiling and you won’t have to go over anything twice.
Check out our review of the best duster brands to ensure you’re not using a duster that won’t trap your dust or kick up more dust into the air.
Step 2: Wipe Down the Surface with a Cleaner
Using a mixture of warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar, wipe down the surface of your crown molding with a sponge or microfibre cloth. Only use a little of the cleaning solution to avoid water damage or having the solution drip down your walls. For any stubborn dirt and grime, use a damp magic eraser (melamine sponge). Dry off any excess moisture with a clean microfibre cloth.
Step 3: Get into the Corners
Your sponge or cloth won’t be able to get into corners effectively, especially if you have intricate molding. Instead, use a toothbrush or cotton swab dipped into your cleaning solution to really get into all the nooks and crannies.
Step 4: Protect the Surface
To finish, run a dryer sheet over the surface of your crown molding. This will help to repel dust and prolong the time between your cleanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Clean a Wood Trim in My House?
Cleaning a wood trim in your home is no different than cleaning a painted trim. You should still dust or vacuum the surface and wipe it down with a water, soap, and vinegar mixture. Once you’re done cleaning, be sure to really dry off the surface and remove any leftover cleaning solution to avoid having your wood warp. To finish off, use a wood cleaner to make sure your wood stays shiny and clean.
How Can I Clean Baseboards Without Bending Over?
Baseboards have the opposite of crown molding; they’re often too low for people to clean properly. However, cleaning them is a very similar process. Whether you have wood or painted baseboards, you can still keep them clean without having to do much bending. Consider getting a broom, duster, or vacuum with a long handle so you can complete step one standing up. Steps two and three of our cleaning tips are a bit more difficult to accomplish standing. Try attaching your sponge or cloth to the end of your broom or use a mop or Swiffer to scrub at the dirt and grime on your baseboards.
How Do I Keep My Baseboards Clean with Dogs?
Having a dog, especially one that sheds a lot, in the home can significantly increase the amount of dust and dirt circulating in your home. This means that you may have to clean your baseboards more frequently as that dust and dirt can easily build up. Having a dog in the home won’t change the way you clean your baseboards; however, you must ensure that any products you are using are pet friendly. Dogs love to sniff and lick things all over the home, and since baseboards are at an accessible level to them, you can’t use a product that could be harmful to them should they choose to lick the area you just cleaned.
