a paint additive or surface prep I can use for this purpose. If you are painting the old trims, you will also need to make sure that you get old paint off wood without damaging it. Water left on shellac and lacquer finishes can cause white rings and spots. The trim will not look very good with a nice new finish on it – over the top of old paint spatters and goofs. Grab a box of cleaning wipes, and, well, wipe. Once you clean the wood trim you can replace it with small tack nails. Wipe dry immediately. Followed by giving a good bird-eye view of wood trim's integrity, having a … Your cleaning solution will likely become dirty if you have a lot of trim - dump it and refresh as needed. Begin the process by removing as much dust and dirt as you can from the area. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. However, the living room had been “modernized” in the 1950s, and as a result, the room’s ornate moldings—topping the walls, doors, and windows—had been removed. Is there anything I can do to keep the mold from coming back next year, ie. Remove White Water Spotting. This will allow you to remove layers of old cleaner and grime to refresh the look of the trim. The lemon juice is the cleaner, the olive oil restores wood's beauty. First, dust the door, reaching into the corners of grooves. Ring the rag so it doesn't drip. 4. •Details: To clean deep into carvings or beadwork, use a toothbrush or fine steel wool. Most deglossers are strong enough to remove old latex paint spatters and should be used to clean the wood trim from such. Refresh your tired wood furniture and trim without having to strip and refinish. Hand-sand all woodwork smooth with a fine, 180-grit paper … When you're ready to scrub: Instead of a step ladder, save time by using a pole with a rag wrapped around the end for smooth crown molding and door trim. ©2019 Colgate-Palmolive Company. A pole with a dusting attachment aids in reaching crown molding and other hard-to-reach wood trim for regular maintenance. If your trim has carved detailing, you'll need a small brush to navigate the texture. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove dirt and dust from the surface of the baseboards. Then take the cloth and polish the wood trim until it is clean. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. Wipe. Begin at one end of your house and work your way through. I was going to wash it with Clorox and Simple Green cleaning solution and rinse it well with water. Scrape away badly weathered finish. Use a mild, natural wood cleaner on clear-coated or stained wood trim. If you have kids running around, let them help clean the baseboards and door trim. How To: Clean Baseboards Step 1. (Learned this off "how clean is your house" BBC network) Clean Grime from Woodwork. You can use a toothbrush or other small, soft-bristled scrub brush. A natural cleaner like Murphy® Oil Soap can restore the wood's natural glimmer and bring tired, old trim out of retirement — especially once the initial layer of dirt and grime is gone. Step 3: Fill in holes, dents and cracks with a lightweight spackling compound. Fill a bucket with warm water and ¼ cup of. Wipe all trim with a soft rag dipped in the cleaning solution. Tape the walls using regular painter’s tape. Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. Dry dust your baseboards using a microfiber cloth or your vacuum cleaner attachment. This is an excellent home-made substitute for commercial wood-cleaning products, as the soap is mild enough to not harm the wood, and the vegetable oil will polish the wood. Scrape eroded areas. •Painted Surfaces: Scrub with soap and warm water. Wood trim and baseboards, however, requires regular cleaning. Wipe all trim with a soft rag dipped in the cleaning solution. 1. If you also have wooden doors and cabinets, clean them at the same time you clean the trim. RINSE AND REPEAT. Combine a few drops of dishwashing liquid and about 2 quarts of warm water in your bucket. Baseboards are perhaps the most common trim and molding ideas. Shake to dissolve the baking soda. If your wooden trim is excessively dirty and has contaminants on it that have been left to build up then it should be thoroughly cleaned with a diluted all purpose cleaner and a micro fibre towel, soft bristled detailing brushes can also be used to access awkward, tight areas. (Follow directions on … Cleaning Grimy Painted Doors and Trim. Crown molding and baseboards attract a lot of dust. Step 1. Now use your wood trim cleaner of choice. Step 2. 3. If it isn't possible to clean on a warm day, at least wait for a dry to clean the outside of your house. Get ideas to help you design and build built-in bookshelves to add more beautiful and functional storage to your room. Ring the rag so it doesn't drip. Scrub with the brush as needed in carved details or on any heavier grime. Cleaning wood baseboards, crown molding and door and window trim often gets overlooked in routine household chores.