How to protect your staircase against daily use

How to Protect Your Staircase Against Everyday Use

The staircase is one of the most decorative features in most houses. However, staircases often see the most traffic in the house, meaning they are subject to wear and tear. Inevitably, constantly ascending and descending the steps leaves a staircase looking worn-out. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your staircase is crucial, particularly if you have young children, a large family or pets. A well-considered staircase becomes the main point of focus in a house, enhancing the character of the building. However, the staircase is often neglected when it comes to cleaning.

To find out how dedicated the UK is when it comes to cleaning our staircase, we ran an independent survey. Here’s what we discovered:

30% of the 790 respondents in the UK claimed that they never clean their staircase, with only 9% claiming that they wipe down their spindles. A further 19% answered that they only clean the flooring.

So, why do we tend to neglect our staircase?

Although our staircases are subject to wear and tear, there are a few reasons why we may neglect them when cleaning:

Safety concerns

Hard-to-reach areas may be dangerous to clean, particularly if we live alone.

It may seem overwhelming

People with particularly large spiral staircases or those who have numerous floors in their house might find the idea of cleaning their staircase overwhelming.

We have no idea where to start

It is likely that many of us simply have no idea where to start when cleaning a staircase. Many people may be worried about damaging their staircase by using the incorrect product.

Although cleaning and maintaining your staircase may not be the most exciting task, it can improve the overall look of your home and create a good impression. Cleaning your staircase isn’t as tedious as we tend to think, and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

We spoke to Daniel Monroe, the managing director of domestic and commercial cleaning company Squeaky Clean for his tips on maintaining your staircase...

Always start from the top

A key rule to remember when cleaning your staircase is to start from the top to the bottom. Start with a broom, sweeping your stairs and removing any dust or debris as you go towards the bottom.

Daniel Monroe explains: “It's more efficient to clean a staircase from top to bottom. This is due to gravity moving the dirt from the top to the bottom as you clean.”

As you reach the lower levels of the step, you can now use your vacuum cleaner to pick off all the dirt from up the flight.

Keep glass panel cleaning simple

It can be difficult to keep a glass balustrade polished, as markings will be visible if someone touches it with dirty or greasy hands. However, cleaning a glass balustrade is surprisingly easy. Warm water and dishwashing soap is the ideal mixture for cleaning a glass balustrade.

For getting rid of stubborn stains, you can use professional products if you wish. Daniel states: “For getting rid of marks on glass panels, it's best to use a specified window cleaning spray. This typically ensures that no streaks or marks are left behind.”

Being gentle is key when it comes to cleaning your glass. Ensure you take extra care not to apply too much pressure when cleaning your glass balustrade to prevent any scratches. Use a soft microfibre cloth to buff the glass until it is dry, using gentle circular motions.

Treat your wooden staircase to a maintenance top-up

The colour and texture of a wood staircase can bring warmth and a traditional feel to your home. However, it can take just a few years for wooden staircases to show wear and tear. Cleaning and polishing a wooden staircase can bring out a high-quality finish to your wood.

Firstly, simply hoover or brush the treads. For cleaning the stairs, Daniel advises:

“With a wooden staircase, it would be most efficient to mix a floor cleaning agent that is specially designed for wood in a spray bottle and clean the stairs one at a time, buffing in a circular motion. Do not use furniture polish on the stairs themselves; however, this would suffice on the handrail/spindles.

Some woods such as pine are prone to dents and scratches; however, all woods that have been coated (and had the coat reapplied when needed) will maintain a wonderful appearance for years to come.”

While varnishes work for a high-gloss finish, wood oils can add a more natural appearance if this is preferable. Wood oils protect and enhance the natural beauty of your wooden staircase. When you apply the oil, the pores in the woods soak it up, which helps reduce how much water is absorbed, preventing the wood from rotting and keeping it strong.

Tackle carpeted stairs using a vacuum with a brush roller

To keep your carpeted stairs clean, give each stair a good scrub with carpet shampoo until you are satisfied. Daniel states: “Vacuuming is an important part of cleaning any staircase, especially with carpets. Use a vacuum with a brush roller, then a crevice tool to get right into the edges.”

People with pets should take extra steps when cleaning their carpet. Daniel advises: “A pro tip to removing pet hair from any carpet is with a carpet rake, or simply a squeegee with a rubber blade. This clings to the pet hair and draws it out of the carpet. And remember, always clean from top to bottom!”

Vacuuming the stairs can sometimes be dangerous, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Consider investing in a cordless, handheld vacuum cleaner if you struggle to reach some areas safely. To prevent accidents, you should ensure you are always with someone if you are hoovering hard-to-reach areas.

Keep metal stairs sleek with a mild cleaning solution

Consider using a disposable dusting cloth or a microfiber cloth to dust your metal staircase safely. When cleaning metal, avoid any products that are too strong and can be damaging. You can ensure your solution is mild by diluting your cleaning solution in warm water. This will be sufficient in getting rid of smudges, fingerprints, footprints and other unwanted marks.

Never use furniture polish on your wrought iron. Instead, protect the integrity of the finish by using an all-purpose cleaner rather than harsh alternatives.

It is important to dry your staircase thoroughly after cleaning in order to mitigate the risk of rust formation. This will keep your metal staircase looking sleek and clean.

If your staircase starts to look worn away and lifeless, it may be time for a new coat of paint. Simply remove any paint that is peeling or flaking, then follow with rust-resistant primer and spray paint.