Best way to vacuum your stairs

Removing dirt, dust and hair that got stuck on your stairs are one of the dreaded cleaning rituals that any homeowner’s face. Stairs that have either hardwood or carpet will always track dirt every time someone walks over it.

It is important to learn the best ways to vacuum your stairs to further beautify your home and to keep your floor’s integrity. So we prepared some of the best methods that any homeowner can do or use on any type of material that is used on your staircase.

First we’ll discuss the tools that you’ll need.

1. Carpet Cleaners

If the dirt on your carpeted floors has settled already then it's time to consider a carpet cleaner. Finding one is easy because it uses the traditional method of deep cleaning plus most of them are designed by known vacuum manufacturers like Dyson and Bissell.

Carpet cleaners are typically larger than a vacuum but the way they operate are similar to each other as it has rolling brushes with suction, includes a dirt reservoir and can be plugged into a regular wall outlet. The difference between carpet cleaners and regular vacuums is that the former uses water to loosen dirt. So instead of a dirt reservoir, you have a water tank instead that filters the dirt.

Carpet cleaners also have the option to add carpet fresheners and other enhanced cleaning solutions to further rid of stains and any signs of dirt.

This makes carpet cleaners perfect for cleaning stairs because they usually offer accessories to easily clean hard to reach areas like banisters and against baseboards. But keep in mind that they are typically heavy and a bit challenging to maneuver.


2. Steam Cleaners

This is one of the modern methods of cleaning stairs because it combines all the best features of a vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner plus improved mobility and ease of use. If you are looking for a steam cleaner, it would be better to consider a model that was proven to remove allergens, dirt and bacteria from your carpet.

The way they work is by heating the water inside their water tank and using it to remove dirt and stubborn stains. Another benefit of using steam cleaners is that you can use it on almost any type of flooring as long as you have the appropriate accessories for it. So using it on a carpeted stairs and then using it on a hard floored stairs should not be an issue.

Another benefit of using a steam cleaner is that it cleans your floors as naturally as possible. So if you have someone that suffers from respiratory illness or you have pets or children that are allergic to cleaning solutions then this is the best option.


3. Traditional vacuum cleaners

Still widely used by most households due to its ease of use and portability, traditional vacuum cleaners are still perfect for cleaning your stairs. It would be better to look for vacuums that offer accessories so that you can reach every area of your stairs. Vacuum cleaners with large brush heads usually come with telescopic poles and crevice attachments for it to clean the hard to reach areas.

Traditional vacuum cleaners work by suctioning dirt and grime but they won’t be able to match the effectiveness of a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner. Also, they are not recommended for harder types of flooring unless it has the needed accessory for use to possibly clean it.

But still, traditional vacuum cleaners are more affordable and can be used every day without the risk of exposing your floor to too much water.


4. Hardwood vacuums

Some homeowners prefer hardwood rather than carpeted floors because it is easy to maintain. If that is the case then a hardwood vacuum will be the best choice for you.

Hardwood vacuums are designed for any type of flooring besides carpet because their suction is designed to be as close to the floor as possible for it to remove the dirt. And most of the time, they are portable and easy to store. This makes them more affordable too. 

It would be better to look for a hardwood vacuum that has a wet function to mop your floor after you have vacuumed all of the dirt.


Next are the best ways to vacuum your stairs.

1. Remove large objects or debris. Because this will definitely clog your vacuum. You need to make sure that there are no obstructions on the path while you are cleaning to get the most out of cleaning experience as possible  

2. Focus on corners. Because this is where the majority of dirt resides particularly in between banisters. Use the nozzle attachment on your vacuum to clean the edges of your carpet.  

3. Clean the stair surface. You may use the nozzle attachment with a wider brush. Make sure you run the nozzle width-wise on stairs, as it’s far more time-efficient.  

4. Cleaning the stairs with a wet vacuum (preferred if you want to thoroughly clean your carpet or hardwood). Then repeat step 3. Make sure that let the floor dry for a few hours before it can be used.

Need further cleaning of your carpets? Call us or fill up our form to make your carpets looking new and fresh again.