“If you have a corded vacuum, plug in at the bottom of the stairs and start the process at the top. It's easier to work your way down backward. Your stairs will get cleaner because you're not dropping dirt down onto clean steps, and you'll be seeing the dirt from the lowest point of the stairs.
For carpeted stairs use a cordless vacuum cleaner, such as the VAX Blade 2 Max. It's lightweight and easy to carry with no cords holding you back in order to get around quickly and hassle-free. For added ease, you can clean your stairs in handheld mode and use the crevice tool to clean between the stairs.
Vacuum stairs weekly for best results. Try using a stair-specific attachment or a handheld vacuum for easier maneuvering.
Start by sweeping up the dust and dirt. Mix a solution of white vinegar and dish soap with warm water. To mop each step, dip a non-scratch cloth into the solution, wring it until it's damp, and wipe down each stair. Blot them dry with a microfiber cloth.
But – and this is important – vacuuming is not enough… and neither is dry carpet cleaning. You should have your hall, stairs and landing professionally cleaned by hot water extraction (it's the method recommended by carpet manufacturers for a reason!) every six months, and other carpeted rooms every 12 – 24 months.
The best vacuum for stairs we've tested is the Dyson V12 Detect Slim. At under 5.5 pounds, this cordless stick vacuum is lighter than most full-size stick vacuums, making it a cinch to carry up and down long flights of stairs, and you can quickly convert it into a handheld configuration to better clean tight spots.
That means taking time to vacuum the vertical parts of your stairs as well as the treads. The crevice tool or a small brush attachment works well for this.
Second, can you vacuum too much? Believe it or not the answer is no. Now, if you vacuumed continually 24 hours a day, yes, that would be too much. Vacuuming every day, or even a few times a day, is not going to create any long term problems.
The Dyson V12 remains our top pick. A small apartment with a few area rugs has very different vacuum needs than a 2,000-square-foot house with wall-to-wall carpeting. The right vacuum for you also depends on your physical strength, ergonomic preferences, and cleaning standards and habits.
Each stair receives two separate sections of the carpet: one for the tread, another for the riser. The tread carpet butts up against the tread and then wraps down and around the stair nose. Then another piece is added for the riser.
If you think about it every time you go up the stairs you generally land with half of your foot off of the edge of the stair. Every time you do this those fibers are getting matted down and shortened in length. Not to mention most people walk on the side near the railing too for extra support in case of a slip or fall.
Clean from the top down
Work with gravity, not against it! Similarly, it often seems easier to clean the top floor first and then the bottom floor. I'm not sure if it just psychological, but to me it seems easier to lug the vacuum cleaner and cleaning products upstairs before you're tired.
You don't need to clean your stairs multiple times a week – but staying on a once-a-week vacuuming schedule can help keep your carpet looking fresh for longer.
Tread gripper: This rod should be positioned along the back edge of the tread, 7-8mm from the riser. The pins on the gripper rod should face towards the riser. Riser gripper: This rod should be placed at the bottom of the riser, about 7-8mm above the next tread. The pins should face downward towards the next step.
In a nutshell, Shark provides very good cleaning and smart design features at great value. Whereas Dyson's strength is its cleaning prowess, filtration, wide attachment set and innovative tech. Based off our current test results, we'd go for Dyson's upright and robot vacuum and Shark's stick vacuum.
For vacuuming hardwood floors, you'll want to use a soft-bristle brush to avoid scratching the surface. Carpets and rugs need a beater bar or a power nozzle attachment to agitate the fibres and lift deep-seated dirt and debris.
Corded vacuums plug into your home's power source. Many assume these standard models are the best option for carpeted floors. However, while they generally have reliable suction power, lithium-powered, cordless stick vacuums can perform just as efficiently.
A firm brush removes stubborn dirt and debris from carpeted stairs. Remove any tenacious messes from the carpet that regular vacuuming will not remove immediately. The best way to remove ground-in dirt is to brush it with stiff bristles or use a vacuum attachment.
Yes and no. On one hand, you should keep cleaning until the water runs clear. This will ensure that all the dirt and grime are removed from the carpet. However, on the other hand, you shouldn't scrub too hard or use too much water.
Generally speaking, it's recommended to wash your hair once it's greasy or unclean to the touch. For some people, that means washing every other day. For others, it could mean shampooing once a week. You may be familiar with the idea that washing your hair less often will “train” it to be less oily.