Cleaning Painted Wood Trim

Cleaning grimy painted doors and trim.

Cleaning painted wood trim.

Scrub with soap and warm water. We ll show you how to achieve a mar free surface that ll hold paint for 10 years or longer. While these items don t require a lot of maintenance it s important to give these surfaces a proper cleaning once every few months. Painted doors and trim can show dirt and grime very quickly but it s just as quick to clean the spots.

Whether you re repainting wood or painting wood that s been stained and varnished the steps here apply to doors windows or trim. Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. If the wood has excessive buildup add paint thinner to your solution to help according to this old house magazine. Note that if the baseboards in the room you are cleaning are stained not painted it may be preferable to use a cleaning solution formulated specifically for that application.

Use a mild natural wood cleaner on clear coated or stained wood trim. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly. An annual clean with water and a mild liquid detergent is good enough for most doors including those wood doors that have been stained or painted. This will allow you to remove layers of old cleaner and grime to refresh the look of the trim.

If an old soccer or running injury makes it especially painful to clean on your hands and knees get creative. If painted your wood trim requires mild soap and water. Cleaning floors and dusting furniture will stir up the dirt in the room and deposit some of it on the baseboards. The best way to clean baseboards if they are stained instead of painted is to use a store bought wood cleaner mixed according to manufacturer s instructions.

Mix up equal parts of paint thinner and a mild soap such as murphy oil soap and apply with a sponge or. Most of the dirt showing on painted trim is of the. When the exterior wood on your home is primed and painted properly it can look beautiful and you may think your work is done. Slip a sock over a yardstick and voilà.

Be sure to rinse off the solution then dry thoroughly. Painted wood comes in many forms whether it s a cabinet baseboard or other household object. Use a microfiber sock for the best results as cotton and wool won t be as effective at picking up fine dust particles. As you clean and again six months later make a point to check the condition of your wood door.

Another easy way to clean baseboards.