You’re not the only one who has put off cleaning your stairs. Due to a lot of difficulties, many people put off cleaning their stairs. These include reaching the stairs’ corners, locating a vacuum outlet close enough, and gathering all the essential tools. Cleaning the stairs is challenging since it takes time and effort.
But since people use the stairs daily, they must be cleaned often. It would be best if you clean the stairs once a week since they attract dust, filth, and hair easily. However, you must first choose the best cleaning technique for your steps before you begin. There is a precise procedure to clean each type of staircase. Steps made of concrete, wood, and carpet require various cleaning techniques. Applying the proper method for your type of staircase is crucial because the incorrect procedure might harm or dirty your staircase.
How to Clean Wood Staircase
Your home will look timeless and elegant with a wood staircase, but you’ll need to take care of the wood over time to maintain it at its best. Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining the wood stairs isn’t difficult if you know what to do.
Determine Your Wood’s Finish
Knowing what you are working with is the first step since every type of wood finish has different maintenance requirements. The simplest kind of wood to maintain is surface-sealed wood, which needs only a quick sweep and mop. This kind of wood floor sealant is also the most popular. The finish is made by penetrating sealants that soak the wood and harden it. These kinds of staircases require waxing in addition to cleaning and mopping. Wood that is unfinished needs wax as well.
Wipe your finger down the surface of your wooden steps to determine the sort of finish it has. If you can see a mark where you touched wood, the surface is either unfinished or has a penetrating seal. The floors are surface-sealed if there is no smear. If you are still uncertain, ask your home’s builder or, if possible, the floor installer.
Select Your Cleaning Supplies
When mopping a wood stair, the kind of cleaning product you should use depends on the surface, so search for a product that is made for your finish. Dish soap makes an excellent alternative cleanser because it is gentle. Avoid using abrasive or strong cleaners since they might harm the finish on the wood, making it appear lifeless and worn. You’ll also require a liquid or paste wax if your staircase is unfinished or with a protective seal.
It’s crucial to remember that wood floors or staircases should never be polished or oiled. This can unexpectedly make the ground slippery, increasing the possibility that you or someone you care about will trip and fall. Your stairs may look excellent with just a little regular cleaning and waxing.
Repair Any Scratches or Dents
If you find any dents in the steps, add another layer of wax to the area. This will patch in the dent and restore a smooth surface appearance. You’ll have to apply a different finish to scratches to seal the break and prevent moisture from penetrating your wood. Regularly inspect your steps for dents and scratches so that you can fix any damage quickly and extend the life of your wood staircase.
How to Clean Concrete Staircase
Concrete is typically a long-lasting, maintenance-free material. As a result, when the topic of keeping clean concrete is brought up, objections are frequently raised. However, by keeping it clean and beautiful, plain concrete may appear clean and fresh rather than oil-stained and dingy, significantly extending its life and charm. After many years of use, it may appear fresh new rather than faded, oil-stained, and unclean. Your investment in a concrete staircase is guaranteed if the concrete is maintained correctly.
Use a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is the most effective cleaning tool for concrete steps. This can be a possible cleaning method for you as the majority of concrete steps are outside. You do not have to put in too much hard work since a pressure washer can eliminate every dirt and grime on your steps, even the toughest stains, mold & mildew.
Use a Dishwashing Liquid and Hot Water
To start, sweep the stairs to create a spotless surface. Pour one part hot water and two parts dish soap into a mixing bowl, and then apply the mixture to the marks on your steps. After that, let the solution sit for 10 to 15 minutes. But watch out for drying. With a hard bristle brush, scrub the stain. Continue doing it until all stains are gone. Finally, give it a hot water rinse. It can take two or three attempts.
Use a Cleaner for Concrete
Sweep the dirt from the steps and remove everything on them. Next, combine one part of hot water with one part of oxygenated bleach. You can use a cleaner made specifically for concrete as an alternative to oxygenated bleach and water. The stairs must now be sprayed with the solution, and you must wait 20 to 30 minutes for it to dry. After that, use a long-handled brush to clean the stairs. Finally, run hot water over the steps. Pour the water down the stairs starting at the top, to thoroughly clean them. Rinse the steps repeatedly to get rid of all soap residue, filth, and grime.
*If you have a concrete staircase in your basement, you can still use the last two cleaning methods mentioned above. Instead of pouring hot water to rinse the stairs, you can wipe them with a damp clean cloth.
How to Clean Carpet Staircase
Do you have carpeted stairs or a runner on them in your home? Have you ever noticed how filthy the fabric becomes? Your stairs’ carpet must be frequently cleaned since dust and other debris naturally accumulate. Cleaning up the debris with only a vacuum won’t be enough.
Carpet may be cleaned in a variety of ways, especially on the stairs. Your home’s flooring type and the tools you have at your hand may affect how you clean the carpet on your stairs.
If you have a staircase runner, you might be able to clean the material by simply washing the runner. It’s another discussion if your carpet is installed on the stairs. Find out how to thoroughly clean carpet on stairs, using or without machines.
Cleaning by Hand
If you’ve been thinking about how to clean carpet on stairs by hand if it gets damaged, there’s a simple method for doing it. Use carpet shampoo and a towel to remove specific stains. A quality carpet shampoo should be combined with water. After that, thoroughly rub the mixture into the stain using a brush to apply it. Now dab the water and wash away using a cloth or towel. The stain will disappear after it has dried.
Cleaning with Vacuum
Use a vacuum for thorough cleaning – Regularly cleaning your carpet lightly is good, but occasionally it’s also essential to clean it thoroughly. It is preferable to use a vacuum cleaner in these situations. The best vacuum for carpeted stairs is a lightweight one with a long cord or one powered by batteries so you can move it around without worrying about it tipping over (or you are falling over). Utilize a brush attachment to scrub the surface vigorously before using a hose attachment to remove any dust that has become embedded in the fibers as well as mold, germs, and other small insects.
Cleaning with Steam Cleaner
Consider a steam cleaner for heavy-duty cleaning to go above and beyond vacuuming. One is available in hardware or home improvement stores. Steam cleaners may be used to completely clean carpet stairs since they have a variety of uses, including collecting pet hair, removing stains, and extracting entrenched debris.
DIY Carpet Cleaner
Don’t have a carpet cleaner? Don’t worry! You can prepare a homemade, all-natural cleaner for your carpet on stairs, whether you’re hand-cleaning carpeted stairs or rugs for staircases.
Salt, Vinegar, and Essential Oil
Cleaning and deodorizing the carpet using a solution of vinegar, salt, and aromatic oils are very effective. If you are manually cleaning stair runners or floor rugs from your staircase, you might want to use this cleaning method. While some carpets may be washed in the machine, others are too fragile. A spoonful or two of table salt increases friction, which might assist in removing grime. But once the salt has dried, you’ll need a vacuum to remove it.
Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of one-part white vinegar and two parts water. For each cup of vinegar water you produce, add a teaspoon of table salt and about five drops of your preferred essential oil. Spray the solution over the carpet, then use a clean towel to scrub the area. Next, just run water over the stairs, then wait for them to dry.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
One of the most incredible DIY cleaning treatments includes vinegar and baking soda. After combining about a cup of vinegar and an equal amount of water, add a tablespoon of baking soda. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle after stirring it. Spray the mixture on tough stains and let it rest for approximately an hour on your carpet. After cleaning the area with a damp cloth, let the stairs air-dry.