Crown moldings are a good idea for interior decoration. It refers to a type of cornice made using moldings that are decorative in nature. The crown molding is installed at the top of a wall or on top of a door. The crown molding definitely helps in enhancing the appearance of the hall or room where it is used. The molding can easily be covered with dust and also with cobwebs. Proper cleaning is needed to keep the crown moldings in good condition. This guide tells you all you want to know about the cleaning of the crown moldings.
Cleaning Crown Moldings
Crown Moldings are similar to baseboards, and they cover the corners between the top of the walls and the ceiling. A buildup of dust is common. If there is any gap between the board and the walls, as in the case of old crown moldings, then dirt can get into the gap. The decorative moldings have raised surfaces and also have grooves. Dust can easily settle in these grooves or on the surface. Soot can also settle in the grooves and requires cleaning.
Cleaning the crown moldings is not so difficult. The main problem is reaching it. Since the crown moldings are near the edge of the ceilings, they are at a height. You cannot reach them from the floor. You would need a stepladder or alternatively, you need a long duster with an extended handle. This should help you reach the crown moldings even from the floor.
What would you need?
You need a number of resources to clean the crown moldings. You need to ensure that all these are available before you start. Here is a list of the things you need for your cleaning work.
· A long-handed duster. It can be a duster with a long extension handle. You can also use an old fashioned feather duster with a long handle.
· A cleaning cloth
· Cleaning solutions. You can get a ready cleaning solution from the market. If you want to prepare one at home, you will need the following:
1. Ammonia
2. Vinegar
3. Warm water
4. Baking soda
5. A stepladder (if you don’t have a long-handed duster)
6. Vacuum cleaner (if you wish to use)
Cleaning the crown moldings
The main work involved in cleaning crown moldings is dusting. Dust can easily get into your crown moldings. Cobwebs are another common problem that can be solved through dusting. If you feel dusting with a duster is too tiring, you can use a vacuum cleaner. You need a long extension else, you need a stepladder. When vacuuming, ensure your hose reaches out to the corners and to the insides of the grooves.
If you are using a duster, then place a cloth on top of the duster and run it over the moldings completely. This will ensure all the dust and grime are removed. It ensures the dust doesn’t fall off and sticks to the cloth, making it easy to remove later.
You can use a wet cloth and run it over the moldings so that any minor mark is removed. Just like dust, rub the cloth over the moldings. It is important that you don’t rub too hard as it would damage the paint. If required, you can wipe again with a cloth dipped in fresh water.
Removing stains
It is possible that stains may develop on the crown moldings. Don’t worry, you can make a simple cleaning solution at home and use it to remove the stains. Take a gallon of warm water. To this, mix one cup of ammonia, half a cup of white vinegar, and a quarter cup of baking soda. Mix it well and your cleaning solution is ready.
Now, there is a small possibility that the moldings may become discolored due to the solution. So test it out by putting the solution in a spray bottle. Spray it in one corner and wipe it with a soft cloth to check for discoloration. If there is no discoloration, then dip a cloth into the solution. Place it on top of the duster and use it to wipe the area with the stains. If you have a sponge head, it makes stain removal easier.
Frequency of cleaning
Dusting the crown moldings can be done at a frequency of around once in two weeks. Twice a month is enough to keep your crown moldings clean unless there is a lot of dust in your home. In such a case, you can increase the frequency to once in 10 days. Removing stains is needed as and when any stains crop up. It is unlikely that you will need to clean stains very frequently. You may need to do it only once in a few months. When you dust the crown moldings, inspect them carefully. If you observe any stains, remove them immediately.