Cleaning Carpeted Stairs – The Ultimate Guide

Cleaning carpets is not necessarily a fun task. However, cleaning carpeted stairs can prove to be even more challenging. It’s physically exhausting and can be frustrating if not done correctly.

The most important thing to remember when cleaning carpeted stairs is that you need to use the right products and techniques to get rid of dirt and grime without harming the carpets or leaving behind any residue.

That’s exactly what you are going to learn how to do in this blog post. So, if you have carpeted stairs at home that desperately needs some cleaning, then stick around for our top tips.

How Do You Freshen Up Carpet On Stairs?

If the carpet on your stairs is looking a little dull or worn, then it could be time to freshen them up. Thankfully, there are a few ways to do this.

First and foremost, you should try doing a deep clean with the vacuum. This can include using different attachments that fit into the different nooks and crevices, going slowly, and using a strong suction to get rid of any dirt and debris. If you find your vacuum just isn’t doing the job, consider renting one out.

Once you’re done with vacuuming, you could also try using a carpet freshener or deodorizer. These products help trap odors while adding some freshness to the room. They come in a variety of scents like lavender and eucalyptus and can be used in place of air fresheners, perfect for your stairs.

I recommend doing these deep vacuum cleans at least once per month or quarter in addition to your weekly vacuuming routine.

Then, once a year, I recommend doing an even deeper cleaning of your carpeted stairs with carpet shampoo. It is highly recommended that you either clean each stair by hand or use a steam cleaner for this step. 

How To Clean Carpeted Stairs By Hand

Cleaning each stair by hand can be a difficult task. Not only is it time-consuming, but it can also be physically exhausting. That said, if you don’t have access to a steam cleaner or another type of machine to help you get the job done, this is the way to go.

To do this properly, you’ll need a good vacuum and some cleaning supplies like carpet shampoo and a scrub brush.

Step One – Give The Carpets A Good Vacuum

Cleaning your carpeted stairs by hand will be much more effective if you can get rid of as much dirt and debris as possible before starting. That’s why it is important to give the carpets a good vacuum first.

As I shared above, make sure you are using the right attachments that will allow you to get into the cracks and hard-to-reach spots.

Step Two – Clean Each Stair With Carpet Shampoo, Water, and A Scrub Brush

Make sure you read the instructions for your carpet shampoo carefully before using it to avoid damaging the carpet. You should also work your way from the top of the stairs to the bottom to avoid leaving a mess on the stairs you just cleaned. 

Once you have your shampoo, water, and scrub brush ready as per the instructions, you can start scrubbing each stair. Take your time with this to ensure you get rid of any dirt that may have been left behind from vacuuming. 

For any tough stains, use some elbow grease with your scrub brush to try and work it from the fibers. Some people also find using a cloth on tough stains works well. 

An important thing to note with this step is to go slowly and don’t just pour your water and shampoo all over the stairs. If it gets too wet, it will be hard to dry. Plus, too much water can result in water damage. 

Step Three – Clean Up Excess Water

Once you have finished scrubbing each stair, it’s time to clean up any excess water and cleaner that may have been left behind. Use a damp cloth or sponge to soak up the moisture. Then use a dry towel to help absorb any remaining moisture.

I recommend getting your stairs as dry as possible with this step to avoid your carpets smelling musty.

Step Four – Do A Final Vacuum

Once all the cleaning is done, it’s time to give your stairs one last vacuum. This will help get rid of any debris left behind from cleaning and make sure the carpets are nice and fresh.

How To Clean Carpeted Stairs With A Machine

Now, if you’re lucky enough to have access to a steam cleaner or some other type of machine, then cleaning your carpeted stairs can be much easier. 

Steam cleaners were designed to remove any dirt and debris that may have been hiding in the fibers and ensure it gets extracted from the carpet properly. They also take out a lot of the need for manual labor like you have with cleaning carpeted stairs by hand.

Step One – Vacuum The Stairs

Just like in the section above, this process should begin with vacuuming the stairs first. While your machine should be capable of handling a small amount of dirt and debris, you will avoid a lot of unnecessary mess or damage to the machine by taking the time to do a deep clean with your vacuum first.

Make sure you use the right attachments for this process and get into all the cracks and hard-to-reach spots.

Step Two – Clean Each Stair With Your Machine

Once your stairs have been vacuumed, it’s time to clean each stair with your steam cleaner.

Now, it is worth noting that every steam cleaner works a bit differently, so make sure you read the owner’s manual before using it. It will tell you how much soap or cleaning solution to use and how long you need to let the machine work its magic.

Be sure to go over each stair with multiple passes, as thick carpets may need more than one pass for them to be properly cleaned.

Most machines will come with attachments, similar to those of your vacuum. Make sure you are using these for the best results.

Step Three – Clean Up Excess Water

Most steam cleaners will have a rinse process that you can use on stairs. You should be able to find details of this in your owner’s manual. Simply follow the instructions and ensure you get rid of all the excess water and soap.

If your machine does not have a rinse process, then we recommend cleaning up excess water with some dry towels, cloth, sponge, etc.

To avoid your carpets smelling musty after they’ve dried, make sure you clean up as much excess water as possible.

Step Four – Do A Final Vacuum

Once you have finished cleaning your stairs with your machine, it’s time to give them one last vacuum. This will help get rid of any debris left behind from cleaning and make sure your carpets are nice and fresh.

What To Do If Your Stairs Stink After Cleaning Them

Have you ever cleaned your carpet only to find it smells musty the next day? This can be because you didn’t get rid of all the excess moisture.

To fix this issue, sprinkle baking soda over your stairs and let it sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum up the baking soda, and hopefully, the musty smell will have disappeared.

If you still have an odor problem, you might need to use a deodorizer made specifically for carpets. You can find these at your local grocery store, Amazon, etc.

Cleaning carpeted stairs can be a bit of a hassle, but as long as you take the right steps and use the right equipment, it’s not too hard. With some elbow grease and the right tools, you’ll be able to get your stairs looking and smelling like new in no time.

Check out the stair cleaning supplies at Amazon to help you get your stairs clean!

Check out these tips to help you deep clean your whole house.