5 wise ways to clean woodwork

Woodwork usually needs cleaning more often than walls as the edging around doors and windows most often comes into contact with dirty hands. Here’s how:

For routine cleaning, vacuum baseboards, chair rails, wainscoting and the framework around doors and windows with the small brush attachment. Dust the top surfaces with a microfibre cloth.

Use a solution of a little dishwashing liquid in warm water. Apply with a wrung-out sponge or rag and rinse with plain water. Restore the gloss on painted of urethane surfaces by rubbing with a cloth with a tiny amount of furniture polish on it.

Apply a little undiluted dishwashing liquid directly to the sponge or cloth. Rub the dirty area of woodwork and rinse with plain water.

Wash woodwork with a solution of soap and water, following the paint manufacturer's instructions. Wear rubber gloves and rinse afterwards.

For varnish or shellac finished woodwork, use a solvent-based (not water-based) wood cleaner that is both a cleaner and a wax in a single product available from home improvement and hardware stores. Apply with a cloth and then buff.