Is there a trick/workaround to save me painting my skirting boards?

[MoiraRoseVibes]

Hi, all.
I really need to repaint the walls in my hall - upstairs and downstairs. I'll be doing it myself and am short on spare time. The walls are white (and I'll repaint them white) and so are the skirting boards. The skirting boards could really do with repainting but I just don't have the time or energy or motivation!
Can anyone suggest a workaround or way to clean them and make them look better without having to repaint? Is there a magic skirting board cleaning trick which will make them look new? Thank you for any suggestions!

They don't 'have' to be gloss painted these days - mine were done the same colour as the walls when i moved in and I cba to change them when I redid the walls.

If they're already white and you're redoing them in white, you'd probably get away with 1 coat. I'd just repaint them, they'll look so much better.

Have you tried giving them a really thorough clean with one of those flash sponges? I really need to do mine with those, and all the walls and bannisters and you wouldn't believe the muck that comes off them.

Mine are all painted using the same emulsion paint as on the walls. Makes it easier for touching up scuffs and it doesn't yellow like old gloss paint.

The skirts are the easy bit because you can sit down while you paint. Just make tea and buy biscuits it will soon be done.

I found it's a false economy of time. Once you've painted everything else, even if you've given them a hood wash, they will still look tatty. I gave mine a good scrub with sugar soap and then painted with Zinsser Allcoat Exterior Satin. It needs no key, primer or undercoat It is also mould resistant. Zinsser make the best paints. https://www.zinsseruk.com/product/allcoat-exterior/

Thanks, all. I think I'll just have to do it won't I.,,, after having a good go with the Flash sponges and seeing if that helps

Thank you - that sounds perfect - will get some in.

Really feel your pain at having this task to tackle but you know you won’t regret it once it’s done.

I’ve been using this Leyland hard-wearing acrylic eggshell on all the interior woodwork and it’s gone on really well, even when I’ve been a bit slapdash. https://leylandtrade.com/products/walls-and-ceilings/Hardwearing-Acrylic-Eggshell

I know it’s just another kind of pure brilliant white but everywhere I’ve used it looks so nice!

If that’s an exterior paint, how bad does it smell indoors, and how long does the smell linger?

I've always found it to be ok. It dries fast. I aways make sure that I ventilate when decorating anyway and our windows all have trickle venting so rooms get regular air changes.

I discovered this weekend that HG mould remover spray is basically bleach and leaves white paint looking brand new. It says you don't need to scrub, but if you do scrub, it looks marvellous. £4.90 from Amazon and much easier than painting - worth a try, perhaps

PS - dig out your old Covid mask and put on sunglasses or specs before spraying and wear old clothes. I know whereof I speak.