Cleaning Painted Wood Trim

Sock and a yardstick.

Cleaning painted wood trim.

Painted doors and trim can show dirt and grime very quickly but it s just as quick to clean the spots. If painted your wood trim requires mild soap and water. This will allow you to remove layers of old cleaner and grime to refresh the look of the trim. As you clean and again six months later make a point to check the condition of your wood door.

While these items don t require a lot of maintenance it s important to give these surfaces a proper cleaning once every few months. Most of the dirt showing on painted trim is of the. Scrub with soap and warm water. Cleaning grimy painted doors and trim.

Sometimes a good cleaning is all it takes to bring it back to life says wood finisher john thomas. Here are his recommendations for cleaning woodwork properly. Slip a sock over a yardstick and voilà. Be sure to rinse off the solution then dry thoroughly.

If an old soccer or running injury makes it especially painful to clean on your hands and knees get creative. If the wood has excessive buildup add paint thinner to your solution to help according to this old house magazine. Mix up equal parts of paint thinner and a mild soap such as murphy oil soap and apply with a sponge or. The key to a long lasting paint job is to prepare the woodwork so it s clean and gloss free.

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 floors and dusting furniture will stir up the dirt in the room and deposit some of it on the baseboards. Whether you re repainting wood or painting wood that s been stained and varnished the steps here apply to doors windows or trim. 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.

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 mild natural wood cleaner on clear coated or stained wood trim. 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. 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.