How to Care for Your Wood Stairs

To lengthen the life of your stairs and keep them looking their best you need to properly care for them.

Begin by sweeping your stairs starting at the top and working your way down. Dirt and grit act like sandpaper when it comes to wood stairs often scratching and causing damage. You should try to sweep, dust, or vacuum your stairs frequently to prevent damage.

It’s important when cleaning your stairs that you use the proper cleanser. Before applying anything to your stairs, determine what kind of sealant is used. If your stairs are shiny, it is polyurethane. If your stairs seem to have more of a matte look, they were finished with a penetrating sealant like an oil or wax. When choosing your cleanser you will want something that will not harm your finish or leave behind any residue. Also, be wary of anything that may create a slippery surface which can cause slips and falls. Most commercial cleansers are overpriced and ineffective. A safe and inexpensive solution for cleansing your stairs is a mixture of 1 gallon of water with ½ cup of vinegar.

Never use ammonia on your stairs and avoid wax as it will make stairs too slick.

Between washes keep stairs clean by sweeping them frequently to remove dust and dirt.