It's often one of the last places you clean in your home -- the dreaded stairway. It seems tedious to clean each step, dust each baluster and shine up the handrail. The secret is that consistent cleaning reduces the time you spend going up and down the stairs scrubbing.
Light, regular cleanings keep stubborn stains and buildup away. But even if you've let things go a bit, there is still hope for a clean, spotless staircase.
1. Clean a sticky handrailThe oils on your hands build up over time on wooden handrails and make a grimy, sticky mess. You won't need to scrub or use harsh and potentially harmful chemicals. You simply wipe first with a baby wipe to break down the sticky grime. A mixture of vinegar and water will safely remove any remaining oil-based residue from the wood.
2. Vacuum thoroughly Carpeted stairs need frequent vacuuming. In general, a quick once over with your vacuum keeps them in pretty good shape. However, if you aren't using special tools every once in a while, you are missing a lot of dirt. All the corners, crevices and edges are holding dirt your vacuum is unable to reach.
3. Wet clean your carpetIf your carpet looks a bit dingy after a good vacuuming, it may simply be time to clean it using a wet method. Make sure you remove as much water from the carpet as possible to prevent mold. Try placing folded towels on the treads and using your body weight to help squeeze water from the carpet.
4. Look in the cornersCleaning wooden stairs may seem pretty easy -- you just sweep the stairs. Remember to pay attention to the corners and edges. Dirt can be pushed into the corners by the broom. Use a flicking motion from the corner outward to help remove any accumulated dirt.
5. Clean the risersA staircase riser is the vertical piece of the stair between the steps. When carpeted, this step can collect dirt, dust and hair. Vacuuming with a hand attachment generally removes most carpet-based dirt. Wooden stair risers often scuff. The best way to remove scuffs from risers is to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
6. Protect your woodThe No. 1 enemy to wood stairs is moisture. Water left standing on treads will ruin them. If your stairs need a deeper cleaning than sweeping alone provides, use a damp rag and quickly dry as you go. Follow up with a hard vegetable wax such as Brazilian palm wax to protect against humidity and wear.
7. Refinish the banisterSometimes wear and tear takes its toll on a beautiful wood banister. Cleaning may remove oil and grime, but the shine of your handrail is just gone.
DIY Network takes you step-by-step through restoring the beauty of your staircase banister.
8. Remove scuffs and wearNo matter how often you clean your staircase, wear appears on the wooden steps over time.
Popular Mechanics says that in just a short time the wear will appear on the risers and handrail as well. The tutorial walks you through how to refinish each section of your stairs.
9. Remove the carpetYour carpet may be stained beyond repair. You may just be tired of carrying the vacuum up and down your staircase. No matter the reason, you know that the carpet has to go.
