I tried the viral TikTok vacuum hack to clean my baseboards | Homes & Gardens

Saving time when cleaning is always top of my list

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I don't think I'm alone in admitting that the dust on my baseboards is sometimes neglected. It's not the most fun task to be tracing the baseboards around the house making sure every speck is gone.

So when I found an intriguing cleaning hack while swiping through TikTok, I had to give it a go. Instead of using the brush attachment, a dryer sheet was added onto the end of the vacuum stick. If there's ever a chance to make my cleaning routine that little bit easier, I'm taking it, especially as somebody who writes about vacuums for a living and has yet to see this method.

And luckily, I saw how simple it was. I already have one of the best cordless vacuums, so all I needed was a dryer sheet to be able to see just how well this hack works. You can still try it if you have an upright vacuum, but the freedom of a cordless stick really shines when it comes to cleaning baseboards.

Cordless stick vacuums excel when cleaning fine details like baseboards

The hack came from TikTok user @nicole_thenomad, and the steps are simple:

If you don't some, dryer sheets are available at Walmart and relatively inexpensive. They work by releasing softeners, fragrances and lubricants into your laundry load in the dryer, reducing static and leaving clothes softer and fresher.

There are even reports of people using dryer sheets to repel mosquitoes. Although the science behind this is limited, they're known to mask many of the scents that mosquitoes go for.

Using a dryer sheet when vacuuming baseboards is a smart trick as particles easily stick to the fabric, and it produces a pleasantly fresh smell while you're cleaning.

Dryer sheets like these from Gain can give you nicer-smelling laundry loads and less static after drying. You only need one sheet each time, so this pack can last 240 loads.

Now, how well did the baseboard hack work? I found this new method at a good time as my baseboards were in need of a deep clean. I fastened my sheet onto the end of my vacuum (I used my Dyson V12 Detect Slim, one of our best cordless vacuums, if you're curious), and gave it a go on my baseboards.

I've reviewed 12 vacuums for H&G and the Dyson V12 Detect Slim is the one I use in my own home. It's super lightweight and picks up everything (dust, debris and hair) in a single pass, and has a green laser that reveals dust that the naked eye can't see. It's worth reading my full Dyson V12 Detect Slim review if you're thinking of upgrading.

I gave it a go in my home to capture dusty baseboards, including on my stairs

It did work pretty well. I was picking up as much dust as I'd hoped and the smell was as nice as an air freshener. But in reality, it didn't work any better than using the dusting brush, one of the many vacuum cleaner attachments that people use anyway.

The only difference is not having to manually pluck clumps of dust out of the brush, but I still had to remove the dusty sheet after cleaning which took the same amount of time, though perhaps a little less effort.

The dust collected on my dryer sheet test

The sheet also started to tear at the vacuum nozzle's edges after a while, which partly defeated the purpose. In all honesty, I don't recommend this method unless your vacuum doesn't have a dusting brush tool.

Instead, I'd absolutely recommend this alternative dryer sheet hack we've already tested, which simply involves wiping baseboards down manually rather than getting the vacuum out. It's more thorough as you're using your hands, as well as being quicker and easier on your energy bills. Plus, you still get that lovely smell.

If you're concerned about the disadvantages of dryer sheets in general (like how eco-friendly they are or the buildup of residue inside your dryer), you can use this natural essential oil hack instead.

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Dan is the Home Tech Editor for Homes & Gardens, covering all things cleaning, smart home, sound and air treatment across the Solved section. Having worked for Future PLC since July 2023, Dan was previously the Features Editor for Top Ten Reviews and looked after the wide variety of home and outdoor content across the site, but their writing about homes, gardens, tech and products started back in 2021 on brands like BBC Science Focus, YourHomeStyle and Gardens Illustrated.

Dan is based in Bristol, UK with a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Magazine Journalism. Outside of work, you'll find them at gigs and art galleries, cycling somewhere scenic, or cooking up something good in the kitchen.

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