Stop Breaking Your Back to Clean Your Baseboards — This Smart Trick Is Pain-Free
Cleaning my baseboards is easily one of my least favorite household chores. Not only does the narrow trim run along the perimeter of my entire apartment, but it’s also bright white and in every room, which means I have to spend even more time cleaning them. Since I do my best to avoid bending down to clean the baseboards, I usually just use the edge of my broom to dust them or, more often than not, I simply neglect them.
However, with the holidays quickly approaching, I knew I would soon have to tackle this pesky chore one way or another. Thankfully, I discovered the ultimate lazy solution for cleaning them with zero effort on TikTok.
This Lazy Way to Clean Baseboards Is Actually Brilliant
When I discovered this video from creator @jaroslavskiy0, I immediately laughed. And then I realized it was brilliant. This seemingly silly trick involves wetting a sock and running your foot over the baseboards to clean them.
I looked up this method to see if it had any popularity and was glad to see other Apartment Therapy writers felt the same way about it. My baseboards were in need of a deep clean, so I obviously had to try this trick to see if it worked as well as it seemed.
How I Cleaned My Baseboards with a Sock
Instead of sticking my foot under the sink, I wet the tip of a clean sock and put it on my left foot. I didn’t wet my other sock so I could use it to dry the baseboards afterwards. I first tried this on my bathroom’s baseboards, focusing on the sections that had collected an embarrassing amount of dust. After the initial swipe, I was impressed with how efficiently and quickly this method worked.
Most of the dust clung to the sock, so there was no need for me to bend down and clean up any dust bunnies. In about a minute, I was able to clean my entire bathroom’s baseboards. As I moved to the next room, I only had to remove my socks, shake them off in the trash to get rid of the dust, and put them back on to keep cleaning. After letting them air dry, I tossed them in my dirty clothes hamper.
Why Socks Are Great for Cleaning Baseboards
Most baseboards get noticeably dusty within a week or two, and if you’re anything like me and lack the patience and energy for the constant upkeep, the sock baseboard cleaning method is perfectly serviceable. It didn’t hurt my back, used just one item I already had, and took less time than dealing with a mop, broom, or special cleaning device. Dust clings to the soft cotton of the sock, and it actually stays there if it’s damp. You can also try this hack with a little bit of gentle cleaning solution if your baseboards are especially gunky.
Even if your preferred baseboard cleaning method works for you, putting your socks to work is definitely worth a try if you’re in a pinch — or if you have kids who want to help out before the holidays.