Never Scrub Baseboards Again with This Easy Vacuum Trick

Save time (and your back!) with this multitasking cleaning hack. Here’s how to quickly clean your baseboards with a vacuum attachment.

Keeping a house clean is a continuous chore, and it’s common to focus on the spaces that show messes quickly. High-traffic areas such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, and the tile floors near the entrance grab our attention and are usually where we focus most of our energy on cleaning. The small sliver of dust that collects on your baseboards, however, is easy to neglect—especially if you have to squint to see whether they’re clean or dirty.

But thanks to a viral (and incredibly simple!) cleaning hack, you can effortlessly clean baseboards and repel dust at the same time—making this an easy cleaning task to check off your chore list. The best part is that you don’t have to bend down or strain any muscles to do it. Learn about this #CleanTok tip using just two things you most likely already have in your home.

Related: How to Clean Baseboards: 9 Easy Ways to Remove Dust and Dirt

How to Clean Your Baseboard With a Vacuum Attachment

We love when a cleaning technique is uncomplicated, and this one is about as simple as they come. Instagram creator @alifebetterorganized demonstrated how to do it in a Reel that has accumulated more than 9 million views so far. She says all you need to do is grab an unused dryer sheet and place it directly over the crevice attachment of your vacuum cleaner, securing it with a rubber band or hair tie.

Once the dryer sheet is in place, turn the vacuum on and run the attachment over all the baseboards throughout the house. The dryer sheet will not only collect (and retain) any bits of dirt, hair, and dust that have accumulated on baseboards, but the slightly-lubricated coating will transfer to the wood and fend off future debris for longer. Additionally, scented dryer sheets will leave behind a lingering, pleasant smell once you’ve finished cleaning.

One more benefit to trying this hack is that it helps prevent clogs in your vacuum. Depending on how dirty your baseboards are, suctioning them without the attached dryer sheet can cause unnecessary damage. A buildup of certain things, like sawdust or excessive amounts of dog hair, should not be vacuumed up as it can clog the machine or burn out its motor. The dryer sheet creates a barrier between the baseboards (which simultaneously keeps baseboards better protected) and the vacuum’s interior, avoiding potential issues. Instead, simply toss the dryer sheet along with anything gathered on it.

Related: The 10 Best Stick Vacuums of 2024, According to Testing

Factors to Consider Before Trying the Cleaning Trick

There are a few caveats to consider before attempting this method. The first is especially important if you or a loved one has allergies to more than dust. A strongly-scented dryer sheet can be irritating and cause breathing problems or trigger migraines in some people. Along the same lines, some commenters on the viral videos pointed out is that many dryer sheets contain chemicals that can be dangerous if you have pets in your home. The creator confirms that the brand she uses for this hack is non-toxic and, therefore, safe to use around anyone, human or animal.

Yet another common criticism is that single-use dryer sheets contain microplastics, which means they’re not environmentally friendly, and that dryer balls are the better alternative. However, you can find sustainable options. With more people searching for eco-friendly cleaning products, various brands now offer vegan and biodegradable or compostable dryer sheets. These are also made with natural essential oils, so you can enjoy a clean scent without the risk of irritants in the air.

All of this aside, the dryer sheets work so well at repelling dust (we tested it ourselves!) that you only need to use them occasionally. If you’ve recently invested in a set of dryer balls and have leftover dryer sheets, this is a wise way to use them up without letting them totally go to waste.

While you won’t get the powerful repellent benefit, you can also try this hack with a microfiber cloth or old sock instead of a dryer sheet. This is a greener way to clean baseboards since you can wash and reuse them after you’re done vacuuming, and it doesn’t require any extra elbow grease to get the job done.

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