Cleaning Painted Wood Trim

When the exterior wood on your home is primed and painted properly it can look beautiful and you may think your work is done.

Cleaning painted wood trim.

Painted wood comes in many forms whether it s a cabinet baseboard or other household object. Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. 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.

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. 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. Another easy way to clean baseboards. Cleaning floors and dusting furniture will stir up the dirt in the room and deposit some of it on the baseboards.

Be sure to rinse off the solution then dry thoroughly. If the wood has excessive buildup add paint thinner to your solution to help according to this old house magazine. This will allow you to remove layers of old cleaner and grime to refresh the look of the trim. We ll show you how to achieve a mar free surface that ll hold paint for 10 years or longer.

The key to a long lasting paint job is to prepare the woodwork so it s clean and gloss free. 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. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly. Scrub with soap and warm water.

Sock and a yardstick. Most of the dirt showing on painted trim is of the. As you clean and again six months later make a point to check the condition of your wood door. If painted your wood trim requires mild soap and water.

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. Use a microfiber sock for the best results as cotton and wool won t be as effective at picking up fine dust particles. Slip a sock over a yardstick and voilà. If an old soccer or running injury makes it especially painful to clean on your hands and knees get creative.

Cleaning grimy painted doors and trim.