How To Properly Clean Each Kind Of Staircase
If you've been putting off cleaning your stairs, you're not alone. Many put off cleaning their staircase because of a number of challenges. These include finding a close enough outlet for the vacuum, reaching the corners of the stairs, and getting out the many tools necessary. Cleaning the stairs is difficult because it requires lots of manual labor and time.
However, because the staircase is used every single day, it needs to be cleaned regularly. AZ Big Media says to clean your stairs once a week because they can quickly collect dust, dirt, and hair. But before you clean your staircase, you need to know what method is right for your type of stairs. Every kind of staircase needs to be cleaned in a specific way. Wood, vinyl, carpet, and concrete stairs all require different cleaning methods. Following the right method for your kind of staircase is important because using the wrong method could leave your staircase dirty or damaged.
How to clean wood and vinyl staircases
Both wood and vinyl stairs can be cleaned the same way, and iStairs describes the best method. Begin by vacuuming, sweeping, or dust mopping your stairs to remove debris. iStairs recommends using a broom or mop over a vacuum, as they are easier to maneuver. Then, wipe a cleaning solution made for your specific type of floor on a damp cloth over each stair and the banister. Make sure not to allow puddles of water, as it could damage both wood and vinyl floors. After letting the cleaner soak for a few minutes, use a clean rag to dry your stairs.
If you want to use a more natural cleaner, you could combine one cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water, per Tips Bulletin. Before placing it onto your staircase, however, you'll want to wait for the water to cool. If you think the smell of vinegar is too overwhelming, try adding a few drops of essential oils. If you need to remove scuffs from vinyl, The Home Depot suggests using olive or jojoba oil.
How to clean carpet and concrete staircases
Weekend Builds describes how to clean carpeted stairs. You'll begin by picking up any large pieces of debris and vacuuming. Then, use a stiff cleaning brush to dislodge any debris stuck inside the carpet, starting from the top step, then vacuum again. Use a mixture of carpet shampoo and warm water and scrub it onto your stairs with a stiff brush. You could also use a carpet cleaning machine instead. After this step, you'll want to dry the stairs with absorbent towels or fans and let them air dry for 12 hours. Finish by vacuuming the stairs again. If you want a more natural cleaner, the above mixture of vinegar and water can also work on carpet.
The best way to clean concrete stairs is with a pressure washer. Because most concrete stairs are outside, this may be an option for you. However, maybe you have concrete stairs in your basement that need to be cleaned. If that is the case, you'll need to follow the following steps to clean your stairs, as described by Concrete Power. Begin by sweeping or vacuuming the stairs to remove debris. Then, spray the stairs with a concrete cleaner. After 20 to 30 minutes, scrub the mixture, then wash away with warm water from the top step.