Tackling carpeted stairs can be one of the most challenging parts of a cleaning job, but with the right techniques, you can achieve professional results and impress your customers…
Cleanfax Article – NZ adaptation 
by Cleaning Systems Ltd
If you’re new to the carpet and restoration game, you’ll soon discover that cleaning stairs can feel like a bit of a mission. The good news is, with the right approach and a bit of know-how, you can tackle them with confidence. This guide will walk you through the process, from prepping to the final touches, to help you get great results every time.
Why Are Stairs So Tricky?
Stairs are a high-traffic area, but they often get overlooked during regular vacuuming. This means the soil load can be massive. The most difficult part is that the dirtiest areas—like the nose or edge of the steps—are the hardest to clean. Add in uneven weaves which make it difficult for the tool(s) to seal and get good extraction, and you’ve got a real challenge on your hands.
Synthetic carpets such as Polypropolene, Polyester & Triexta all tend to wick moisture and soil from backing to the surface as it dries, which can leave you with dirty-looking stairs even after you’ve cleaned them.
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Step 1: Prepping for the Job
Proper preparation is the key to a successful clean. Just like with any carpet, you need to remove as much dry soil as possible before you start with your wet cleaning. 
Pre-vacuuming: You can’t use your regular upright vacuum here, although a Smartvac with stairtool or a small, handheld vacuum with turbine-power is perfect for this job. Make sure you get into all crevices and focus on the nose of the stair. The nose or the tip of the step of the stair can have deeply trodden in dry soiling which is best removed by vacuuming.
Pre-conditioning: Stairs can be very heavily soiled so after vacuuming use a quality pre-spray chosen for the level of soiling and of course fibre/carpet type. Choose a pre spray with good emulsification and suspension properties to help loosen and lift the soil. Some cleaners also use encapsulation presprays, which lock the dirt in polymers so it can’t re-attach to the fibres.
Agitation: Once the prespray is on, you need to agitate it into the carpet fibres. A small, hand-held brush works great for this. Don’t skip this step—it’s crucial for breaking down the stubborn soil.
Step 2: Cleaning and Rinsing
This is where you’ll flush out all that loosened soil. You’ll need a specialised stair tool attached to your portable or truckmount carpet extraction machine for this, or a small hand wand. Some tools have longer handles, which are great for protecting your back.
(See the great range of tools specifically for tackling stairs below, or here’s the link to the product range)
Take your time: Move the tool slowly over the carpet’s surface. Use high heat and plenty of flushing to rinse away the soil. The nose of each step needs extra attention, so be sure to go over these areas multiple times.
Use a towel: Keep an absorbent towel handy. Just like with upholstery, you can use a towel and dry extraction passes to remove additional soil and moisture, especially from the edges and the nose of the stairs. This helps with drying and gives you a cleaner finish.
Step 3: The Final Touches
This is all about making sure the stairs dry quickly and stay clean for longer.
Dry passes: The biggest complaint after a stair cleaning job is that the stairs take too long to dry. This is often because they don’t get as many dry passes with the vacuum as a flat carpet would. After cleaning, make several dry passes with your tool to extract as much moisture as possible.
Encapsulant protection: To keep the stairs looking great, apply an anti-soiling agent, like an encapsulant. This will help prevent dirt from sticking to the fibres, especially on the nose of the stairs. Work it in with a brush for maximum effect.
By following these steps, you’ll not only improve your cleaning results but also save time and effort on what can be a very challenging part of the job.
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