Thursday 19 January 2012

* Let's Do It * - Cleaning the skirting boards

Yes, it's official. Today is the day I am going to bore you all to death. I was walking around my home yesterday thinking that although it was clean, it just isn't clean enough. Something was bothering me. Then I looked down. OMG. Those skirtings could do with a clean I think!
Now, I have to say here that to say 'skirting boards' feels kind of weird. I don't have wooden skirtings in my house. It's fully tiled, so I have tiled skirtings instead. So they're not boards. But, I've always grown up with them being called skirting boards, so I'll stick with that to save any confusion. 

I know how I have always cleaned tiled skirtings, and I'm pretty sure my method would also work for wooden skirtings as well. Well, I'd give it a go anyway because my way is easy. And I love easy. 

But out of curiosity I decided to research on the internet how other people clean skirtings. Let me just say - whoa. There's even videos about how to do it! The common way seems to be this:
  • Dust skirtings first.
  • Use a bucket of warm water with mild detergent and a cloth to clean them.
  • *Optional* Dry off skirtings as you go.
After reading that I decided I liked my way better. Much, much better. Here's how I do it:
  • Clean skirtings with baby wipes.
That's it. As lazy as it may sound, I clean my skirtings with a baby wipe. It removes dust, greasy dust, grime and pretty much anything (crayon, texta, coco pop milk etc) that I happen to come across in my travels. If I need to do some more intense cleaning, then I'll go and get the necessary product. But really, I figure any solution that stops me from having to drag a bucket of water behind me with a 2 yo in hot pursuit is a plus. It might just save me having to mop the floor as well.

So, yes, today's post is insanely boring, but necessary I think. Skirting boards get overlooked often, and they can make the overall feel of a room so much lighter and fresher when they're clean. 

I had to include some photos, so I decided to do a before and after shot. Please don't be too horrified by the before picture, we have some large scale construction going on in our area and towards the end of the last year the whole house was invaded by red dust. Not fun to clean up at all and I'll admit the skirtings may have been missed. Completely.



It looks much better, don't you think? And, um, sorry for the different angles. I promise it's the same section of skirting. I make no claims to be an accomplished photographer.

Well, I'll be back tomorrow with something more fun, I promise!

Have a lovely day,

Nadia
xxx 

10 comments:

  1. "I figure any solution that stops me from having to drag a bucket of water behind me with a 2 yo in hot pursuit is a plus" - absolutely classic and oh so true!

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    1. I ended up giving both the little ones a wipe each and they spent a very happy hour following me around the house wiping everything other than the skirting boards!

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  2. Sometimes skirting boards are being ignored at home since it is not noticeable compared with other home fixtures. But, cleaning it can make your house more eye-catching and refreshing. This skirting boards do also adds design for your home.

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  3. some skirting boards are easier to clean than others, you should make sure you dont get any that have a flat portion on the top of the board, because that will act as a dust trap! This will reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do!

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  4. It is amazing how many different styles and profiles of skirting board and people are going for these days, far from the standard designs

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  5. It is amazing how many different styles and profiles of skirting board and people are going for these days, far from the standard designs

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  6. mdf skirting is the best choice for your skirting board but then you will need to decide what colour to paint them, go with White or cream, because that will go with any other changes you make to your decor

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  7. here's no stopping to the popularity of MDF skirting boards. Moreover, as more of their varieties are being introduced in the market, there will be more homes and establishments that will get the many benefits of MDF skirting boards.

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  8. Nadia, I'm a fan of baby wipes for all kinds of cleaning tasks but I'd never thought of doing the skirting boards with them. Thanks! They're brilliant for stainless steel, basins and taps and all kinds of dusting too. I'm now following you. I'm at http://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au/, and I'm a Queenslander too. Would love you to stop by...Mimi x

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  9. Thank You for providing so much information with the product details.It is amazing how many different styles and profiles of skirting board with good standard designs.

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