Cleaning Painted Wood Trim

Use a microfiber sock for the best results as cotton and wool won t be as effective at picking up fine dust particles.

Cleaning painted wood trim.

If the wood has excessive buildup add paint thinner to your solution to help according to this old house magazine. While these items don t require a lot of maintenance it s important to give these surfaces a proper cleaning once every few months. Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. Mix up equal parts of paint thinner and a mild soap such as murphy oil soap and apply with a sponge or.

Cleaning grimy painted doors and trim. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly. 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. 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.

If painted your wood trim requires mild soap and water. When the exterior wood on your home is primed and painted properly it can look beautiful and you may think your work is done. The key to a long lasting paint job is to prepare the woodwork so it s clean and gloss free. Whether you re repainting wood or painting wood that s been stained and varnished the steps here apply to doors windows or trim.

Use a mild natural wood cleaner on clear coated or stained wood trim. If an old soccer or running injury makes it especially painful to clean on your hands and knees get creative. Another easy way to clean baseboards. However like any surface exposed to the elements painted wood on the exterior of your home easily collects dirt grime and mildew that ruin the look of your home.

Be sure to rinse off the solution then dry thoroughly. Cleaning floors and dusting furniture will stir up the dirt in the room and deposit some of it on the baseboards. We ll show you how to achieve a mar free surface that ll hold paint for 10 years or longer. Painted doors and trim can show dirt and grime very quickly but it s just as quick to clean the spots.

Slip a sock over a yardstick and voilà. As you clean and again six months later make a point to check the condition of your wood door. Scrub with soap and warm water. Sock and a yardstick.

This will allow you to remove layers of old cleaner and grime to refresh the look of the trim.