Do you have carpeted stairs? Are you looking for a how to clean carpeted stairs? Read this blog for a complete guide.
Carpeted stairs can make your home warm and elegant, but they also tend to collect dirt, stains, and pet hair, making them a challenge to keep clean. By using the correct cleaning equipment and strategies, it can remain so. In this article, some of the best stair carpet cleaning tips and tricks will be revealed to you. The major areas of concern will be; Choosing the right equipment, Stain roller, Pet hair and others in making your stairs look as clean as new. Most clients that choose The Squeaky Clean Team have been using our service’s professional carpet cleaning solutions for more than 15 years, so you are in good hands when you decide to follow our tips.
How to Clean Carpeted Stairs
What Are the Best Tools for Cleaning Carpeted Stairs?
The use of correct equipment is most crucial in cleaning stairs and carpets. Here’s a list of essential tools that will make the job more easier:
1. Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment: An industrial-strength vacuum cleaner with an extendable hose will be useful when vacuuming all corners and edges of each step.
2. Handheld carpet cleaner: For spot cleaning, you may require small machines rather than a large one that can be quite cumbersome to maneuver, and a handheld carpet cleaner comes in handy in such scenarios.
3. Soft-bristle brush: This is very useful for breaking up dirt and effectively washing stains without harming most of the carpet fibers.
4. Mild carpet shampoo or detergent: Since there are different types of carpets, it is advisable to take a carpet shampoo that will address the need of your carpet and eliminate the stubborn dirt.
5. Baking soda and vinegar: These natural cleaning agents are very effective for using on surfaces where odors need to be removed or very light colored stains are present.
How Can I Remove Tough Stains from Carpeted Stairs?
Over a period of time, stains on the carpet become difficult to remove, and when they are on a staircase carpet – even tougher. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tackle those tough stains:
1. Blot, don’t rub: The first rule of stain removal is to absorb the stain with a piece of clean cloth and not to scrub it. This action immobilises the stain from penetrating deeper onto the carpet fibers.
2. Use a stain-specific cleaner: If the stain is special, then use a special product intended for its treatment. For example, the enzymatic cleaner is perfect for the removal of organic discipline such as stains caused by food or pets.
3. Try a baking soda and vinegar mixture: Spread amount of baking soda over the stained part and then pour a solution of the vinegar and water where the ratio is one to one. Allow it to soak for a number of minutes before you can use a dry cloth to mop it up.
4. Repeat if necessary: This is particularly the case if the given stain has been on the carpet for some time, as this may need more than one attempt of removal.
This method helps lift even the most stubborn stains while keeping the carpet fibers intact.
How Do You Remove Pet Hair from Carpeted Stairs?
Pet hair is perhaps one of the most difficult things that may need to be vacuumed away when one’s carpet is involved. Here’s how to effectively deal with it:
1. Use a rubber brush: The rubber bristle stylizes the carpet and generates static electricity to lift the pet hair easily.
2. Vacuum with a pet hair attachment: Utilize a vacuum cleaner that has a particular tool for picking the pet hair on carpets, drapes and furniture.
3. Damp cloth technique: If the stairs are not wet, damp a cloth slightly and wipe the stairs in one direction to clump the pet hair that can be vacuumed later on.
Regularly following these steps will help keep your carpeted stairs free from pet hair build-up.
How to Vacuum Carpeted Stairs?
Vacuuming is the backbone of carpet cleaning, particularly stairs that are regularly used by people. Here’s the best way to vacuum your carpeted stairs:
1. Start at the top: It is recommended that one should start vacuuming from the upper end of the stairs down to the lower part of the stairs as you don’t want to step on the cleaned carpet.
2. Use the crevice tool: It will be also useful to note that the crevice tool is helpful in cleaning edges or corners where dust settles more frequently.
3. Go slow: Move the vacuum slowly across the floor and also make passes with the vacuum with precision.
4. Repeat the process: You should repeat many steps a few times to ensure that you’ll clean thoroughly.
This is because vacuuming does more than make your carpeted stairs look good, it also maintains the longevity of your carpet by avoiding cases where dirt settles in on the fibers.
What Is the Best Way to Clean an Old Carpet?
If your stair carpet is beginning to look old, it may require more than cleaning every now and then. Here’s how to clean an old carpeted stairs a thorough refresh:
1. Deep clean with a carpet shampooer: A carpet shampooer or carpet steam cleaner should then be used to bring out the dirty particles that are stuck in the carpet’s surface and feel of the carpet.
2. Spot clean stains: Specialised products for particular areas of the carpet to work on any possible blemish or spot you may find on the carpet.
3. Revive with baking soda: I have also read that you should sprinkle some baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before vacuuming. This is helpful in order to get rid of bad odors in the fibers and to give the cloth a fresh smell that people love.
4. Consider professional help: If the carpet has worn through and it is possible that you have stains that do not come out the professional carpet cleaning service will be your best option.
A deep clean can breathe new life into your old carpet, making it look and feel significantly better.
How Often Should You Clean Carpeted Stairs?
The frequency of cleaning depends on the traffic your stairs go through. Here are some general guidelines:
– Vacuum weekly: In most homes, vacuuming the floor once a week would do enough to clean off any grime that may have accumulated on the floor.
– Deep clean every 3-6 months: Deep cleaning should be done either once in every 3 to 6 months to treat stained carpets, tough smell, and spots of durable stains.
– Spot clean as needed: If anything with color is spilled, do not allow it to dry on the carpet since streak will form permanently on the carpet fibers.
If you have carpeted stairs, it is important to note that they require effective maintenance to avoid reducing the expected life of the carpet.
How Do You Deal with High-Traffic Areas on Carpeted Stairs?
Carpeted stairs are often used in high traffic areas and these areas become worn quickly. Here’s how to manage these areas effectively:
1. Use stair runners: It is suggested for them to install stair runners or carpet protectors and apply them in these frequently careless trafficked zones.
2. Frequent vacuuming: Vacuum more often in those areas that receive a lot of traffic to minimize grubbing of dirt into the carpet.
3. Deep cleaning: Deep clean these sections more often in order to repair the carpet’s look.
Protecting these high-traffic areas ensures that your stairs maintain their look and feel for years to come.
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Carpeted Stairs?
Avoiding these common mistakes can save you time and prevent damage to your carpet:
1. Over-saturating the carpet: Excess water is a dangerous thing for carpets as it spoils the fabric and triggers mold formation.
2. Scrubbing too hard: Toxic burn, Rugging, Excavation: even if used with intent, aggressive scrubbing can damage the carpet fibers and leave bald regions on your carpet.
3. Ignoring drying time: Always ensure that the carpet is dry before you proceed to use any stairs for this dirt to gather around.
Knowledge of these mistakes will enable you to clean your stairs better while also increasing the durability of your carpet.
When Should You Call a Professional to Clean Your Carpeted Stairs?
However, it should be recognized that some situations require a professional clean. You should consider calling a professional if:
Some difficult and persistent stains are not easily removed using household practices.
Your carpet has a smell that suggests that it has not been cleared or it has been infested with mould that is deep seated. You have not vacuumed your carpeted stairs for over a year now.
The Squeaky Clean Team has more than 15 years of experience for commercial and residential cleaning offering you a deep clean that leaves your carpet looking as it was newly bought. Contact us at 1300 682 563 or visit our website at https://squeakycleanteam.com.au to book an appointment.