How to Clean Painted Woodwork or Trim Work
Interior woodwork is usually painted in a gloss or semi-gloss interior paint, or stained and protected by a varnish or polyurethane coat. Dust, cobwebs, dirt, grime and even grease can gradually build up on your interior trim and cause it to look dull. Here are a few tips on how to clean your interior woodwork and trim without causing damage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wipe down stained woodwork that has been treated with linseed oil or tung oil with a lemon oil polish. Linseed and tung oil dry to form a hard, protective film that is virtually invisible. A soft cloth dampened with lemon oil polish wipes away any surface grime.
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Use lemon oil polish as well as a mild mixture of white vinegar and water for stained woodwork treated with a wax that can both be felt and seen. Remember to reapply the wax layer after this step of cleaning to protect the wood.
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Clean wood the same as you would clean painted wood that has a semi-gloss or gloss finish .
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Use moistened baby wipes to clean woodwork and trim that has been painted or coated in polyurethane or varnish. Purchase a large bag of refillable baby wipes. Do not spend money on the expensive, scented brand names. Instead, buy the fragrance free, discount brand which can often be found in bulk.
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Wipe along the door frames, baseboards and crown molding with the help of a step ladder or taller ladder for high ceilings. You may be surprised at the amount of dirt you see on the wipe, and if cleaned on a monthly wipes will keep your trim work clean and shiny. These wipes easily remove surface dirt and more stuck on grease and grime without damaging the paint.
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Tips & Warnings
For the top crease of baseboard, wrap the wipe around your thumb and glide along the wood.
Do not wipe too roughly along a wall that has been painted with a flat latex paint. Water solutions will remove the wall paint.
Once the wood has been thoroughly cleaned, you may notice cracks where the wood meets the wall. A small bead of caulk in your paint or stain color will repair the crack.
