Washing Woodwork

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Moldings are typically painted with gloss or semi-gloss paint. Even though these formulas are generally tougher, smoother and less likely to show soiling than flat paint, their surfaces gather plenty of dust and dirt. They are also likely to have extra smudging from hands and feet where moldings serve as baseboards and framing for doors and windows. Start cleaning with the dusting brush attachment of your vacuum to remove surface grime.

Fill a spray bottle with an all purpose cleaning solution to wash the moldings. If the moldings are fancy millwork with narrow grooves, squirt the cleaner into the indentations and scrub with an old toothbrush. Then wipe the molding with a sponge and dry thoroughly with a terrycloth towel. Be careful not to spray or drip the cleaning solution onto adjacent wall covering or onto painted walls where the liquid could lift seams, cause discoloration, or otherwise do permanent damage. To prevent this protect the adjacent surface with a flat-edged tool known as painter’s guard as you wash.