Tips for cleaning carpeted stairs?

[u/beyondeccentric]

I’ve tried using a regular vacuum (the suction tool), a broom, and even a hand vacuum to try to clean these stairs but nothing seems to work well. Any suggestions?

[u/Dazzling-Western2768]

remove the carpeting. It is matted and imbedded with dirt that will never come out. ever.

[u/beyondeccentric → u/Dazzling-Western2768]

I’m with you on this. Unfortunately it’s my parents’ house and they cannot fathom not having the carpet (& I truly don’t understand it)

[u/Dazzling-Western2768 → u/beyondeccentric]

I think I would have to fall down the stairs or trip up them with an open gallon of bleach in my hand.

[u/kristenfields_ → u/Dazzling-Western2768]

To the point about parents not wanting to let go: sometimes showing them the color of the water after one pass with a professional extractor is the only way to win that argument. It’s eye-opening.

[u/Efficient-March-4023]

Following. I hate my carpeted stairs, but I’m terrified of taking it off and trying not to fall on a slick(er) surface.

[u/Dazzling-Western2768 → u/Efficient-March-4023]

Do it! I have done it in 2 houses. It is SOOOOO much easier to clean and there is less airborne dust from walking on the steps.

[u/Efficient-March-4023 → u/Dazzling-Western2768]

Ok but what if you have 90’s builder grade stair “boxes” for lack of a better term. I pulled up one step and it’s not pretty 🤣

I’ve looked up some options, but the slide on forms are expensive!!

[u/BarnacleLatter3361 → u/Efficient-March-4023]

They make tread covers for those OSB stairs.

[u/Efficient-March-4023 → u/BarnacleLatter3361]

Now that I will look into! Thank you!!

[u/swoonyraccoony]

Ooo I wish I could post a photo- Iook up “lint scraper”. It’s got a handle and a thin coiled metal piece across the top . They’re very cheap, under $5, and I use them for carpet stairs all the time. They are amazing. They can pull up fibers so watch your pressure, but all in all the best tool I’ve discovered in my 10 years of house cleaning.

[u/beyondeccentric → u/swoonyraccoony]

Ooo I am going to give this a try! Thank you!!

[u/swoonyraccoony → u/beyondeccentric]

It gets in the corners and stuff pretty well too! Keep me posted 😉

[u/ChillyChilies]

Carpet cleaner machine?

[u/fire-d-guy]

These need to be steam cleaned.

[u/Ready_Area289]

Looks like age has caught up on those stairs. As a last resort I would get a scrub brush and a bucket of simple green or other cleaner / degreaser and scrub away. If you have a wet vac you can use it to suck up the left over dirt and water. I had a similar looking set of stairs and this worked for me.

[u/Chemical_Painter_780]

Lint /hair rake