Staircase Cleaning: Ways to Clean Different Types of Staircases at Home

July 15, 2022

Staircases are one of the busiest areas of our homes, and hence we might have to keep up with routine cleaning to keep them neat. The pile-up of dust, dirt, pet hair and debris from our footwear also makes it impossible to avoid cleaning the staircase often, and cleaning staircases can be a task you have been putting off for some time. Cleaning staircases in our homes might feel like an effort-intensive job to many of us, and it is somehow true to an extent, especially if we have different types of staircases at home. But we are here a guide that will help you simplify the task of cleaning the staircase. No matter which type of staircase you have at home, we got you covered with a few expert tips. Read on to know more. 

Cleaning Different Types of Staircases

How to Clean Carpeted Staircases?

The first step to cleaning carpeted staircases is vacuuming the loose dust and debris. Begin by removing small bits of hair and pet dander using a lint brush. Use the small attachments that come with the vacuum cleaner to clean each stair one after the other from top to bottom. Make sure that you vacuum the riser too. Now get a slender attachment to vacuum the corner and lip of each stair and follow by using a steam cleaner or clean the staircase manually using a mixture made of carpet soap and warm water by gently scrubbing the stairs with a cleaning brush. You can blot dry the staircase if it is necessary and run the vacuum again to clean the stairs. 

How to Treat Stains on Carpeted Staircases at Home?

Stains are most likely to form on the carpeted staircase, and you shouldn’t be surprised at this fact if you got carpeted stairs at home for the first time. You can use a homemade cleaner to clean the staircase using a one-quarter cup of white vinegar, a tablespoon of dish soap and water. Spray the mixture on the stains generously and blot it using a clean towel until the stains go away. 

If you want to clean the entire staircase, make the solution using one part white vinegar and three parts water in a bucket and scrub the staircase generously using a soft brush in one direction. Do not oversaturate your carpeted staircase by spraying too much cleaning solution. Follow by using a cloth to blot the moisture left on the staircase and wiping the banister and legs - you may use the method outlined below for cleaning hardwood staircases. We didn’t forget to tell you - it is a plus if you have removable runners for your staircase as you can remove the rug and clean it more easily. 

How to Clean Vinyl Staircases?

As with any staircase, you can start cleaning the vinyl staircase by removing the dirt and dust and following it by vacuuming and mopping. Prepare a cleaning solution using a vinyl specific cleaning soap and lukewarm water to clean the staircase. Dip a soft cloth into the solution in the bucket and wring the cloth out until it's just damp and not wet. Follow by wiping each stair down and then drying them out using a soft towel or microfiber cloth. You can use an angled cleaning brush or even an old toothbrush to work the cleaning mixture into the corners of the stairs. Wind up the cleaning by blot drying the hard-to-reach areas. 

How to Clean Concrete Stairs?

We are most likely to have concrete stairs outdoors or in the basement. These stairs will also need cleaning at least once in a while. You can clean concrete stairs effectively using a pressure washer or using some elbow grease if that’s not possible. You can begin by sweeping or vacuuming the stairs to get rid of dust, dirt and other debris and then follow by scrubbing the stairs using the vinegar solution and a sturdy brush. Scrub each stair in a circular motion using the brush to clean stains. We recommend you soak concrete stairs in vinegar and a little amount of baking soda before doing the scrubbing to get rid of stubborn stains. You can wind up the cleaning of stairs by rinsing with warm water and allowing the stairs to air dry. 

How to Clean Hardwood Staircase?

Begin by cleaning the staircase by dusting, vacuuming or mopping to get rid of loose dirt, dust and debris. Make a cleaning solution using a hardwood-specific liquid soap and warm water or by mixing one part of vinegar and ten parts of warm water in a bucket. Dip a microfiber cloth into your cleaning solution and wring it until it becomes damp. Wipe each stair down using the cloth - make sure that you refill your cleaning solution and not oversaturate the stairs with water. You can now clean the corners of the staircase using an angled cleaning brush or a toothbrush. Do not forget to blot dry hardwood staircase to avoid moisture build-up on the surface in hard-to-reach areas. 

It is also important to clean the banister and legs of the wooden staircase for them to look new and clean, just like the staircase you have cleaned. You can use wood cleaner and water on a soft cloth to wipe them down. Also, wipe the banister and legs using a dry cloth once you are done cleaning with a damp cloth to avoid moisture build-up.

Floor and Staircase Cleaning Service in Singapore

If you are thinking about giving the staircases at your home in Singapore a good deep-cleaning, but can’t afford to spend too much time on it, hire our experienced team of cleaning professionals. You can book our services by downloading the Sendhelper app and requesting the deep-cleaning service. You can sit back and relax while we take care of the job at your place!
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