Staircases are a feature present in most homes or premises, but knowing how to look after them correctly isn't necessarily common knowledge.
But, preserving your beautiful staircase has never been easier thanks to our handy stair maintenance tips - throughout this guide, we explore the importance of caring for your stair parts and how to keep them in pristine condition for longer.
Why do our stairs need to be cleaned and maintained?
Before we explore how to maintain your staircase properly, it's helpful to know why it needs to be looked after and cleaned. So, why is upkeeping important?
Safety
Firstly, a set of stairs and a balustrade that is kept in great condition will be much safer than a neglected one - by inspecting and maintaining your stair parts, you ensure damaged parts are replaced and potentially dangerous stair hazards are successfully prevented.
Longevity
Secondly, looking after your stairs can increase their lifespan and keep them looking new for longer - this ultimately keeps you feeling content in your space and increases the value of your property if you decide to sell.
Aesthetics and appearance
As obvious as it may sound, well-kept stairs are aesthetically pleasing and make our homes look much fresher - whereas dirty staircase parts can be a real eye-sore and reduce the appeal of your hallway.
If left uncleaned, stair components such as decorative spindles and the treads we step on can become engulfed in dirt and dust that can affect how you, and others, view your whole home.
Hygiene
Finally, a clean staircase is a hygienic staircase that won't harbour nasty germs and dust, stopping the spread of illness and reducing the severity of dust allergies.
Top maintenance tips for stunning stairs
We've outlined some of our top tips for how to effectively look after your stairs, specifically if you have a wooden or carpeted staircase - you can read them below!
1. Staircase cleaning
To preserve the stylish appeal of your staircase parts, and ensure they last longer, you need to regularly clean your stairs.
Start at the top by dusting your bannister, including the handrail, spindles, and base rail - banisters are hot spots for collecting dirt and dust, which is especially visible on white stairs.
Then, it's time to vacuum or sweep up any debris on your treads and risers - be sure to get right into the joint between these components for a completely clean feel.
Finally, if you have an oak staircase, use a specially designed wood soap, or even just a slightly damp cloth to clean the surface - this will eradicate any stains or dirt left behind, leaving your stairs looking and smelling fresh as a daisy. Some even opt to polish their balustrade with wood polish for a stunning finish.
However, for carpeted stairs, use a carpet-specific cleaner and follow the given instructions.
2. Wipe away spillages as soon as possible
Although you likely do, be sure to immediately mop up and wipe away any spills that land on your treads. For example, breakfast in bed sounds great in theory, but if any tea spills on the way up your stairs, it can potentially stain your wooden or carpeted steps. To avoid this, ensure food and drinks are carried upstairs carefully, and that any stains are wiped away with a cloth promptly.
For added protection and to enhance the finish of your stairs, you should coat each stair part in a high-quality wood sealant to protect them from liquid damage and staining.
3. Remove your shoes before using the staircase
Our stairs experience plenty of foot traffic throughout the day, so it's no surprise that they need to be freshened up, maintained, and cleaned frequently.
However, you can greatly reduce the chance of wear, tear, and dirt being trodden up your stairs by removing your shoes before using the staircase.
5. Use stair nosing
If you want to apply extra protection to your stairs and prevent potential scuffing and impact damage, you could install stair nosing.
Nosing covers the joint between your treads and risers, shielding your steps from friction damage and maintaining the structure of your stairs.
6. Conduct frequent quality checks
Frequent inspections of your staircase will help you manage the appearance and performance of your steps and banisters.
If you find that your handrail brackets have loosened or your treads are starting the squeak, then you can get to work tightening screws, applying dry lubricant to stop creaking, and replacing worn parts.
Ultimately, this will stop further, potentially more expansive damage down the line, which can require much more invasive maintenance and repairs.
4. Invest in oak stair parts
If you feel you have to perform DIY maintenance on your stairs repeatedly, swapping your older timber components out for oak stair parts may be worthwhile.
Oak is an exceptional choice for your stairs due to its sheer durability and strength.
What's more, they're incredibly versatile and offer a premium look across all decors, regardless of your style preferences and tastes - so, if you decide to switch up your wallpaper, you can be confident that your stairs will blend in seamlessly.
Get in touch with Stair Crazy today
Keen to speak to a stair parts specialist? Maybe you'd benefit from more product guidance before you order online.
We've got heaps of inspiration for your staircase makeover and can provide you with expert advice to help you make the best choices for your home. Simply call our team on 01942 365 509 or complete our online contact form and we'll reply as soon as we can.
