How To Clean Carpet On Stairs? (Even Without a Machine)
The carpet on your stairs will eventually get dirty and you will need to clean it. Stair carpet cleaning is a must–one that goes beyond weekly vacuuming–because of children, pets, and the natural accumulation of dust and filth. If you are one of the persons that have a problem with cleaning a carpet on stairs, you come to the right place. Let’s talk about the best ways how you can clean your carpet on staris.
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How To Clean Carpet On Stairs?
So How To Clean Carpet On Stairs? The most practical way to clean carpet on stairs is by using a vacuum cleaner. Before you start with cleaning, make sure to use an extension hose and remove all items on the stairs. Other alternatives that can also be used are vinegar, salt, baking soda, and laundry detergent.
For those who want to learn more, you can read How Much Power (Watts) Does A Vacuum Cleaner Use.
Steps to Clean A Carpet With Vacuum Cleaner:
- Make sure your vacuum’s filter is clean.
- Remove any large items on stairs.
- By Using the extension hose, vacuum the steps.
- Use the carpet Vacuum Cleaner.
Steps to Clean A Carpet Without Vacuum Cleaner:
- Vinegar, Salt, and Essential Oil
- Diluted Vinegar
- Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Baking Soda Solution
- Laundry Detergent Solution
We’ll go through each of these cleaning methods in greater depth now. Be sure to continue reading this article because we’ll talk about how often you should clean carpeted stairs, recommend cleaning chemicals, and evaluate if a Rug Doctor can assist you with the process.
Steps How To Clean A Carpet With Machines
Cleaning A Carpet On Stairs Using A Vacuum/Carpet Cleaner
Cleaning carpeted stairs using a vacuum cleaner is perhaps the most effective method. Let’s have a look at how to do this properly. Due to their size, larger vacuums will be more difficult (and dangerous) to use on stairs, and therefore in this lesson, we’ll talk about how to use lightweight vacuums.
Note! We’ll cover lightweight vacuum cleaners because they are safer and more practical to use.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Vacuum’s Filter Is Clean
Always check the dust filter before vacuuming the stairs (or any other area) to make sure it’s free of dust. Replace the filter if necessary, or pour the contents into the trash bin.
Step 2: Gather Any Large Items From The Stairs
Remove all items that may be sucked in the vacuum, such as toys, paper scraps, or anything else. Also, to avoid pulling, make sure you have enough cable slack when you start. Then, start from the left side, set the vacuum on each step, and move it back and forth vertically, starting at the top (you should be standing behind the vacuum). Continue to go down the stairs until you reach the bottom step.
Step 3: Using the Extension Hose, Vacuum the Steps
Next, attach the brush attachment to the end of the extension hose and start at the top of the stairs again. Brush the stairs from left to right, and be careful to start at the corner of the stab to remove any accumulated dust and debris that may be hidden inside the carpet’s fabric.
Step 4. Use the Carpet Vacuum Cleaner
After that, pour the carpet cleaner’s cartridge with your carpet cleaning solution. Start at the top of the stairs and move the carpet cleaner back and forth over each step. Pull the carpet cleaner toward you as you work from the left to the right side of each step, going over each region at least twice. Allow the carpet to dry for 20 to 30 minutes after reaching the foot of the stairs before allowing traffic.
Steps How To Clean A Carpet Without Machines
If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to any vacuum cleaner machine, we’ll show you how to clean the carpet on your stairs without one.
1. Clean Carpet on Stairs With Vinegar
If you prefer a more traditional method to clean or just don’t have the funds to buy a carpet cleaner, you can still successfully clean your carpeted stairs by using vinegar. Here’s how to do it.
You will need the following items:
- A bucket
- Warm water
- 3/4-cup white vinegar
- Knee pad
- Dry towel
- Scrub brush
Step-by-Step How To Clean Carpet On Staris By Using Vinegar:
- Fill your bucket halfway with water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
- Dunk your scrub brush in the vinegar solution and brush the solution into each step, starting at the top. Use circular, vertical, and horizontal strokes to work the solution into the steps, ensuring that it enters the carpet fibers completely. Make sure you have plenty of the mixture on the brush, but not so much that the carpet soaks up the water (this will take longer to dry and cause mold).
- When you reach the bottom of the stairs, drain the bucket of solution and replace it with new, cool water. After ringing out your dry towel, place it in the bucket and use it to wipe down the carpet on the steps. That way you’ll speed up the drying process. Don’t forget to wring the towel out completely (you can also use a floor fan).
Note! The vinegar smell should go away within an hour, and opening the windows will help.
2. Clean The Carpet On Stairs With Baking Soda
If you don’t have carpet cleaning equipment, baking soda is another natural and economical option for cleaning the carpet on your stairs. It may be used to not only brighten your carpet but also to remove smells and tough stains.
You will need the following items:
- 1/4-cup of baking soda
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Knee pads
Step-by-Step How To Clean Carpet On Stairs With Baking Soda:
- Fill a spray bottle halfway with warm water and 1/4 cup baking soda. If you use more than a quarter cup, you’ll have to vacuum the carpet afterward.
- Secondly, sprinkle the solution onto the stairwell using your spray bottle. Working from top to bottom, leave the solution to remain for two to three hours to absorb any smells or leftover dirt.
- Wait for a few hours for the steps to dry before someone walks on them. The baking soda does not need to be vacuumed because the little amount dissolves in the water. If you need to clean a stain on the steps, just sprinkle baking soda over the stain and then spray it with the solution. Allow the baking soda to dry for 30 minutes to an hour before vacuuming it up.
3. Clean The Carpet On Stairs With Laundry Detergent
Did you know that regular laundry detergent can also be used to clean carpets? Laundry detergents are designed to clean fibrous materials like carpet, but they also work effectively as a carpet cleaning agent. Here’s how to put it to good use.
You will need the following items:
Step-by-Step How To Clean Carpet On Stairs With Laundry Detergent:
- Pour a gallon of warm water into your bucket, then add 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent. You don’t want your stairs to wind up soapy, so don’t go over the suggested quantity of detergent.
- Secondly, start by dipping the cleaning brush into the solution and working it from the top to the first. Use circular strokes to allow the detergent to remove any stubborn stains and loosen any dirt embedded in the carpet fibers.
- When you get to the last step, dump out the solution and replace it with cold water in the bucket. Then, beginning at the top of the steps, put your dry towel into the bucket and wipe the detergent off the steps. If you put too much detergent in the solution, you may need to repeat the processes since you don’t want the carpeting to become stiff after it dries.
What Is A Good Homemade Carpet Cleaner?
Here are the ways that you can also use to clean your stair carpet by using all-natural ingredients.
Vinegar, Salt, and Essential Oil
Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a big spray bottle to produce this cleaning and deodorizing solution. Then, for every cup of water, add a teaspoon of salt and 5-8 drops of your preferred essential oil. After lightly agitating the bottle, spray it over your carpet and work it into the fabric with a clean cloth.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the greatest cleaning solutions for several services is baking soda and vinegar. Simply combine 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup water, then add a spoonful of baking soda to the mixture. Fill a spray bottle with it and spray it on any persistent carpet stains. Let it lie for approximately an hour before cleaning it away with a moist, dry towel or cloth.
How Often Should You Vacuum Your Carpet On Stairs?
Vacuuming your carpet at least once a week is a good option, depending on how much traffic it gets. You may need to vacuum more frequently if you have small children or pets.
How Often Should You Clean The Carpet On Your Stairs?
Once every three months is ideal. The number of times you need to clean the carpet on your stairs depends on the size of your family and the activities that take place in it. If you notice several visible stains on the surface of your carpet or an accumulation of dirt in high traffic areas, this is the best way to determine if it needs cleaning.
Can You Walk On The Stairs After Cleaning Them?
If you’ve recently cleaned and carpeted your stairs, it’s best to let them dry before allowing traffic. The steps can be dry in 15 to 20 minutes if you use a carpet cleaning machine; depending on how wet they, are it may take a little longer if you clean them manually. This is why, when cleaning the carpet, it’s best to be mindful of the amount of water you use on the steps.
If your stairs are made of unprotected hardwood, it’s better to let them dry completely before permitting traffic, as this can be dangerous. Hardwood stairs normally dry within 10 to 15 minutes, though you’ll want to wait a little longer if you plan to polish them.
Which Cleaning Method Is Better: Shampoo or Steam Cleaning?
Shampooing and steaming are recommended to keep your carpet look clean and fresh. As previously said, you should shampoo and steam your carpets every few months. Using these two cleaning methods, you will ensure that your carpeted stairs are fully cleaned, since what one technique misses the next time it is used, the other will catch.
Steam cleaning is a gentle method of cleaning carpets that do not require the use of chemicals or scouring of the fabric. Similarly, shampooing the carpet is a good technique to get rid of difficult stains, although it is more time-consuming than steam cleaning.
Can A Rug Doctor Clean Stairs?
Yes, the stairs can be cleaned by a Rug Doctor. However, a model that includes a motorized upholstery attachment would be the most effective. Otherwise, the shape, weight, and width of the machine would make it difficult to use on stairs.
Make sure to read also How To Clean An LCD TV Screen? Best Ways.
Final Thoughts
It may seem that learning how to clean a carpet on stairs is a daunting task. It will, however, become much easier once you’ve gotten the hang of it and if you are used to cleaning regularly. It’s critical to have the right tools, such as a steam cleaner, brush, and cloth, as well as the cleaning agents you’ll be using, on hand. This will make cleaning the carpet on the stairs a lot easier. I hope that this article has helped you and if you have some additional questions feel free to ask.
