Stair carpet can be pretty easy to overlook during a regular clean – but it’s also one of the most heavily used surfaces in your entire home. Every trip up and down deposits dirt, dust, and debris that works its way deep into the fibres, and because stairs are awkward to clean, they often don’t get the attention they need. Knowing how to clean carpet on stairs properly makes the job far less daunting and keeps one of your home’s hardest-working surfaces in the best possible condition.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, get some supplies together. Like:

• a vacuum cleaner with a hose and upholstery attachment
• a stiff bristle brush
• a microfibre cloth

A rubber glove or squeegee can also be helpful for lifting pet hair from the pile before vacuuming.

How to Tackle the Job

Start with a thorough vacuum. This is the most important step and the one most people rush. Use the attachments and work methodically from the top stair down to the bottom, getting into the back corner where the tread meets the riser. This is where dirt and debris accumulate most heavily. Go over each step at least twice, and use the crevice tool along the edges where the carpet meets the skirting board.

Identify any visible stains and treat them individually before applying any broader cleaning solution. Blot any stains with a carpet cleaning solution, using a clean cloth and working from the outside inward. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before blotting dry. Never scrub stair carpet, as the fibres are often already under significant stress from foot traffic.

Brush the pile. Once dry, use a stiff brush to lift the fibres back up, restoring texture and removing any residue. 

For a genuinely deep clean, particularly on older or heavily soiled stair carpet, professional cleaning is the most thorough solution,  and given how much wear your stair carpet endures, it’s well worth doing regularly. Get in touch with Drytron, your professional carpet dry cleaner, on (03) 8393 8874 or book online and we can help you restore those stairs.