Do you have carpeting on your stairs? While carpet on a staircase makes walking up and down safer and more comfortable, many homeowners find these carpets difficult to maintain. But it does not have to be a struggle. This carpet cleaning guide can help make cleaning a breeze.
How to Clean Carpeting on Stairs at Home
1. Use a stiff push broom. The first step is to loosen all the dirt which has embedded into the carpet fibers completely. Since staircases are high-traffic areas, it takes more than a vacuum to do the job. You need a brush with stiff bristles to penetrate deeply into the base of the carpeting. Make sure that the brush is completely clean of any debris and start at the top of the stairs. Use strong, short strokes and push the dirt and dust down the stairs. Be careful to avoid falling.
2.Vacuum up the loose dust and debris. After using the stiff brush on the stairs, there should be a good amount of dirt and dust at the bottom of the staircase. Vacuum it up and then continue vacuuming each step from the bottom to the top. For this job, you should invest in a small, yet powerful cordless vacuum which is lightweight enough for you to maneuver easily on the stairs. Make sure that the vacuum has a brush attachment and use it.
3. Shampoo the carpet. Although you won’t need to shampoo the carpet on your staircase every time you clean it, make it a goal to shampoo your carpet at least four times a year to help maintain its appearance. Although it is more time consuming to shampoo each step by hand, it is a lot safer than trying to use a bulky, heavy machine. Purchase a carpet shampoo which is made for your type of carpet and use a clean scrub brush to apply following the instructions.
4. Dry your stairs. Rinsing the shampoo from your carpet stairs will leave a lot of excess moisture. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible. It is very important that your carpet is completely dry or you may wind up with mold or mildew. Test to make sure your carpet is dry by placing a paper towel on the carpet and then standing on it for 30 seconds. If you notice any wet spots, repeat this step until dry. Avoid walking on your carpet for at least 12 hours if it is possible.
5. Vacuum your steps again. Give your stairs one last vacuuming to remove any remaining shampoo residue and fluff up your carpet’s pile.
At Chet’s Cleaning, we know that maintaining your carpeting can be a big job, and we can help. Besides carpet cleaning, we offer complete professional home cleaning for homes in the Metro Detroit area. Let us keep your house clean. Call 248-584-1819 or schedule a cleaning online.