Seconding this- I live in a 100+ yr old house and the only thing I’ll use for baseboards (and window frames, and any other hard to reach or oddly shaped space) is toothbrushes!!
Others have said toothbrush and I agree.
The only thing that I would add is that areas like this should be cleaned primarily dry. A dry toothbrush. Run a vacuum next to it and do your best to suck up whatever you dig out with the toothbrush.
Only once you have all loose & dry dust etc removed should you move in with your choice of wet cleaning product. I'd start with the lightest option like soap and water with a magic eraser and move up to stronger products that cater to whatever may have built up in the given area (degreasers in kitchens etc). Careful not to be too abrasive/coarse/aggressive and risk wearing the sheen of your paints.
The more often you're dry brushing/cleaning with toothbrushes, paint brushes etc, the less of a chance any of this has to adhere and require wet cleaning.
Dust first using a q tip or dry toothbrush and then move in with some kind of “sani-bucket” system with a tooth brush. My top choices are water and fabuloso or water and pinesol mix to scrub them with. After I scrub with the wet mix I dry off with a washcloth of sorts so my baseboards don’t sit soapy or wet. Some people will use fabric softener in their mix because “dust doesnt stick to it”. I don’t know how true this is. I tried it in one room and it smells nice but doesn’t seem to do much difference. Sincerely a nesting 38 week pregnant woman LOL
I like Murphy's oil soap for painted wood. I use the spray for something like this and spray it on and wipe it off. It should get most of the dust and grease. For anything left, spray again and get a toothbrush to scrub a little where your fingers couldn't reach. Then wipe it again.
Then you can keep up with it with a vacuum, which can do most of the work once it's been cleaned.
Scrub Daddy brand has a Damp Duster sponge that’s for baseboards.
https://www.target.com/p/scrub-daddy-damp-duster/-/A-87543863?sid=®ion_id=021021&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000049437459&CPNG=PLA_Household%2BEssentials%2BShopping%7CHousehold%2BEssentials_Ecomm_Essentials&adgroup=SC_Household&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=t&location=9002007&targetid=pla-614187896766&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfYocKpCxMOgz7hzIOXIkzE4C&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyU6DU-vugdPNQRzLQzNeDm5zfIn0CZlTsDi-NguHY00Pm_kqaI2ktEaAmKuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Toothbrush. New or old… just don’t reuse it in your mouth 😂
Seconding this- I live in a 100+ yr old house and the only thing I’ll use for baseboards (and window frames, and any other hard to reach or oddly shaped space) is toothbrushes!!
Others have said toothbrush and I agree. The only thing that I would add is that areas like this should be cleaned primarily dry. A dry toothbrush. Run a vacuum next to it and do your best to suck up whatever you dig out with the toothbrush. Only once you have all loose & dry dust etc removed should you move in with your choice of wet cleaning product. I'd start with the lightest option like soap and water with a magic eraser and move up to stronger products that cater to whatever may have built up in the given area (degreasers in kitchens etc). Careful not to be too abrasive/coarse/aggressive and risk wearing the sheen of your paints. The more often you're dry brushing/cleaning with toothbrushes, paint brushes etc, the less of a chance any of this has to adhere and require wet cleaning.
Fellow old house owner. I have the same issue so I’m following for any tips.
Vacuum as a first pass, then soapy water with various brushes (different sizes and bristle type, but take care not to scratch your paint).
Dust first using a q tip or dry toothbrush and then move in with some kind of “sani-bucket” system with a tooth brush. My top choices are water and fabuloso or water and pinesol mix to scrub them with. After I scrub with the wet mix I dry off with a washcloth of sorts so my baseboards don’t sit soapy or wet. Some people will use fabric softener in their mix because “dust doesnt stick to it”. I don’t know how true this is. I tried it in one room and it smells nice but doesn’t seem to do much difference. Sincerely a nesting 38 week pregnant woman LOL
I used Q tips and cleaner to do mine, but I still think I need to touch up the trim after.
I like Murphy's oil soap for painted wood. I use the spray for something like this and spray it on and wipe it off. It should get most of the dust and grease. For anything left, spray again and get a toothbrush to scrub a little where your fingers couldn't reach. Then wipe it again. Then you can keep up with it with a vacuum, which can do most of the work once it's been cleaned.
Old toothbrush or old tooth brush head to a electric toothbrush with some mold soap and water and rinse and dry off.
Scrub Daddy brand has a Damp Duster sponge that’s for baseboards. https://www.target.com/p/scrub-daddy-damp-duster/-/A-87543863?sid=®ion_id=021021&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000049437459&CPNG=PLA_Household%2BEssentials%2BShopping%7CHousehold%2BEssentials_Ecomm_Essentials&adgroup=SC_Household&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=t&location=9002007&targetid=pla-614187896766&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfYocKpCxMOgz7hzIOXIkzE4C&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyU6DU-vugdPNQRzLQzNeDm5zfIn0CZlTsDi-NguHY00Pm_kqaI2ktEaAmKuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds