Cleaning an Older Toronto Home: What's Different

We've been cleaning homes in Toronto for over 30 years, and a good number of them are 80 to 100 years old. Century homes and older builds are beautiful. They also need different cleaning methods than newer construction. What works fine in a 2010 townhouse can damage a 1920 semi-detached if you're not careful.

Here's what we've learned.

Hardwood Floors

Most older Toronto homes have original hardwood, usually oak or maple. These floors have been through a lot, and the finish may be thin or worn in high-traffic areas.

• Use a pH-neutral floor cleaner. Harsh chemicals strip what's left of the finish.
• Damp mop, never wet mop. The mop should be barely damp. Too much water seeps into the gaps between boards and can cause warping.
• Never use a steam mop. The heat and moisture are too much for old hardwood.
• Skip the vinegar. It's too acidic for floors with a polyurethane finish.

For the full rundown on products, routines, and salt stain removal, see our guide to cleaning hardwood floors without damaging them. If your floors look dull even after cleaning, the finish may be worn through. Cleaning won't fix that. They need refinishing.

Plaster Walls

Older homes have plaster walls instead of drywall. Plaster is harder and more durable, but it doesn't handle moisture well.

• Use a dry or barely damp cloth for dusting walls.
• Don't scrub hard. Plaster can crack if it's old and brittle underneath.
• For scuff marks, try a clean eraser sponge with very light pressure.
• If you notice soft spots or cracks, that's a repair issue, not a cleaning issue.

Radiators

Cast iron radiators are common in older Toronto homes, especially in the Annex and along St. Clair West. They heat wonderfully but they trap dust in all the narrow spaces between the fins. We wrote a whole separate post on cleaning radiators in Toronto, but the short version is this: use a long radiator brush between the fins, vacuum up what falls, and wipe down the exterior. Do it before heating season.

Original Wood Trim and Moulding

Many older homes have beautiful original trim around doors, windows, and along the ceiling, including crown moulding that needs its own cleaning approach. Some of it is stained, some painted over many times.

• Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth.
• For cleaning, use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild dish soap. Dry immediately.
• No harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can strip the stain or damage old finishes.
• Be gentle with painted trim. Multiple layers of old paint can chip easily.

Higher Ceilings

Older homes tend to have nine or ten-foot ceilings. That extra height means more wall space collecting dust, more cobwebs in the upper corners, and crown moulding that's harder to reach. An extension pole or a step ladder becomes a regular tool, not something you pull out once a year.

Older Kitchens

Kitchens in older homes often have features that trap grease in unexpected places. Open shelving, textured ceiling tiles, gaps between the countertop and the wall, and old-style range hoods that don't vent outside all contribute. Check the tops of cabinets, the wall behind the stove, and any decorative trim near the ceiling. Grease and dust combine into a sticky film that needs warm soapy water and some patience.

Basements

Almost every older Toronto home has a basement that's at least a little damp and perpetually dusty. Stone or block foundations let moisture in. Exposed floor joists collect cobwebs. The laundry area gets linty. Run a dehumidifier, sweep regularly, and check for any signs of mould.

Lead Paint Caution

Homes built before 1980 may have lead paint, especially on trim, doors, and window frames. If the paint is in good condition and not flaking, it's generally safe. But never sand, dry-scrape, or use abrasive methods on painted surfaces in pre-1980 homes. If paint is peeling or chipping, have it tested before you do anything. Lead paint removal is a professional job.

Where to Find These Homes

This kind of housing stock is common along Avenue Road, in Midtown near Yonge and Eglinton, the Beaches, Leslieville, High Park, Roncesvalles, and the older streets of Dundas West. If you live in one of these neighbourhoods and your home was built before the 1950s, most of what's in this post applies to you.

Portuguese Housekeeping Services has been cleaning older Toronto homes for over three decades. We know what products to use, what to avoid, and where the tricky spots are. If you want someone who understands your home, give us a call.