Hate Cleaning Baseboards? Use This Simple Trick Instead

If you’re like most people and you hate cleaning baseboards, then you’ll love this hack that uses a dryer sheet to extend the time between cleanings. It’s one of many uses people are finding for the surprisingly versatile dryer sheet. This trick uses the same chemicals used on dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and can also make them useful for keeping your baseboards clean. 

Related: Grill Masters Swear by This Cleaning Hack

Baseboard Cleaner

If you hate dusting your baseboards, try this dryer sheet trick that actually repels dust and dirt, so you have to clean them less often. Here’s how it works:

The Hack 

• Clean your baseboards first if they are sticky or grimy using a cloth and soapy water then dry them with a towel. If they’re just dusty, you can leave them alone. The dryer sheet will take care of that dust. 
• Take a used dryer sheet and run it across the baseboards. You don’t need to scrub or apply a lot of pressure. Simply wipe the dryer sheet over the baseboard. It should take you seconds to complete a single room and just a few minutes to hit all the baseboards in your house. It’s also okay if the baseboards are dusty. The dryer sheet will collect the dust and treat your baseboards all in a single motion. 

Note: A side benefit of this method is that the dryer sheets will also leave your room smelling fresh and clean. Just make sure you choose a scent that you like both on your clothes and in a room. 

Why it Works

The same science that causes dryer sheets to prevent static in your clothes also works to repel dust. Dryer sheets contain positively charged ions that repel. When you wipe the dryer sheet across the baseboards, it leaves a layer of anti-static coating, which actually repels dust, pet hair, and allergens, so you won’t have to clean the baseboards as often. 

How Long Does it Last?

This treatment can typically repel new dust from collecting on the baseboards for about a month though it can vary depending on the traffic in your home. 

Does a Fresh Dryer Sheet Work Better?

Since dryer sheets lose some of their static repelling abilities after you use them, this method works best with a fresh dryer sheet.