Stairwells are one of the most overlooked yet most visible areas in any facility. Whether in schools, office buildings, hospitals, hotels, or public spaces, stairwells often endure high foot traffic and are exposed to dirt, dust, and debris. Unfortunately, they’re usually not given the same attention as lobbies or restrooms, even though dirty or neglected stairs can also make a negative impression and pose real safety hazards.
Dust buildup, litter, sticky spills, and slick surfaces can lead to slips, trips, and falls. If left untreated, grime can cause lasting damage to stair treads, handrails, and flooring materials. A well-maintained stairwell, on the other hand, promotes safety, cleanliness, and a positive perception of your facility.
This article will walk you through the proper cleaning steps and preventative maintenance tips you need to keep your stairwells clean, safe, and presentable.
How Often Should Stairwells Be Cleaned?
The frequency of stairwell cleaning depends on the type of facility, foot traffic levels, and the materials used in the stair construction. However, because stairwells are both highly visible and safety-critical, they should be included in your regular cleaning schedule.
Daily or Routine Cleaning
In high-traffic environments like schools, hospitals, office buildings, and hotels, stairwells should be cleaned daily or at least every shift.
This includes basic tasks like sweeping or vacuuming steps, wiping down handrails, and spot cleaning spills or dirt buildup.
Keeping up with these daily tasks helps prevent grime from accumulating and becoming more difficult to remove later.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
In addition to daily maintenance, stairwells should receive a weekly deep cleaning.
This is when your team can scrub hard surfaces, extract carpets, and thoroughly disinfect all touchpoints.
This level of attention helps preserve the condition of the surfaces and supports a more hygienic environment.
Monthly or As-Needed Maintenance
For stairwells that see less frequent use, such as emergency exits or staircases in storage wings, a monthly cleaning may be sufficient. However, these areas should still be monitored regularly.
Facilities that experience seasonal changes, such as leaves in the fall or salt and moisture in the winter, may need to adjust cleaning frequency during those times.
Post-Incident or Special Circumstances
If a spill, leak, or other unusual incident occurs in the stairwell, cleaning should happen immediately, regardless of the regular schedule. This is also the case when there’s a noticeable buildup of dust, litter, or cobwebs.
Likewise, if there’s construction nearby or if pest activity is detected, a more intensive cleaning might be necessary to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
How to Clean Stairwells Thoroughly and Efficiently
Before beginning the cleaning process, gather the appropriate tools and materials. Using the right equipment not only improves cleaning outcomes but also reduces strain and improves efficiency for your custodial staff.
Tools Needed
- Crevice tool or wand attachment
- Push broom or handheld broom
- Dustpan
- Wet mop and mop bucket (for hard surface stairs)
- Deck brush or handheld scrub brush
- Soft-bristle brush
- Microfiber cloths or disposable wipes
- Extension poles (for high dusting)
- Safety signage (e.g., “Wet Floor” or “Stairwell Closed” signs)
- PPE, including disposable gloves, slip-resistant footwear, eye protection (if using chemical sprays)
Materials Needed
- Neutral pH floor cleaner (safe for rubber, vinyl, tile, or concrete)
- Carpet-safe spot cleaner
- Disinfectant spray or wipes (safe for handrails and touch points)
Equipment Needed
- Backpack vacuum (preferred) or canister vacuum with long hose
- Portable carpet extractor (optional for deep cleaning)
- Extension cord
- Air mover or floor fan
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Stairwells
To clean stairwells thoroughly, it’s important to have a deliberate, top-down approach that ensures safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. Here are the recommended steps:
1. Prepare the Area
2. Remove Large Debris
3. Backpack Vacuum the Stairs
4. Put on PPE
5. Spot Clean and Scrub
6. Disinfect High-Touch Areas
7. Final Check and Drying
1. Prepare the Area
Before any cleaning begins, it’s essential to secure the area to protect both the cleaning staff and anyone who might use the stairwell.
Place wet floor signs or caution cones at both the top and bottom of the stairwell. If possible, close off access to the stairwell entirely while cleaning is in progress. This prevents slip hazards and allows the cleaning to happen uninterrupted.
Make sure that all of your tools, cleaning products, and PPE (personal protective equipment) are ready to use and within easy reach before starting. This minimizes unnecessary trips up and down the stairs, which can waste time and create risk.
2. Remove Large Debris
The first active cleaning step is to remove any large debris from the stairs. This includes trash, paper scraps, leaves, food wrappers, and any other loose materials that could obstruct cleaning or create tripping hazards.
Begin at the top of the stairwell and work your way down, either sweeping debris down to the bottom landing with a handheld broom or collecting it by hand wearing gloves.
Gathering loose materials before vacuuming makes the process faster and prevents the vacuum from clogging or losing suction due to oversized items.
3. Backpack Vacuum the Stairs
Once the stairwell is clear of large debris, it’s time to vacuum. Thorough vacuuming is one of the most important steps in stairwell cleaning because it removes dust, dirt, hair, and fine particles that contribute to both poor air quality and slippery surfaces.
Start at the top step and work your way down to avoid tracking dirt back onto clean stairs.
Use a backpack vacuum if available, as it allows for increased mobility and reduces the need to lift or drag equipment up and down the stairs.
Pro Tip: Many stairwells do not have an electrical plug, so a backpack vacuum is the way to go.
For tight corners and edges, use a crevice tool or wand attachment to reach under handrails and along the wall. Pay attention to each tread and riser, including the vertical surface of each step, which can accumulate dust and cobwebs.
If a backpack vacuum isn’t available, a canister vacuum with a long hose and an extension cord can also be used safely and effectively.
Pro Tip: If you are using a corded vacuum, secure the cord to your belt or shoulder strap to avoid tripping or dragging dirt back onto cleaned stairs.
4. Put on PPE
Before handling any chemicals, it is imperative to put on the necessary personal protective equipment. For spot-cleaning and disinfecting stairwells, safety goggles, disposable gloves, long sleeved clothing, and closed-toe, slip-resistant shoes should be worn to protect yourself.
5. Spot Clean and Scrub
After vacuuming, inspect the stairs for sticky spots, stains, or ground-in grime. This is especially important in high-traffic areas or in stairwells connected to exterior doors, where dirt from shoes tends to accumulate.
The process is a bit different for hard floor stairs and carpeted stairs so let’s take a look at each.
Hard Floor Stairs
If the stairs are made of hard materials like rubber, tile, vinyl, or sealed concrete, use a neutral pH cleaner. Use a ready to use chemical or dilute with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Apply the solution using a wet mop or scrub brush, beginning at the top of the stairwell and working downward. This top-down approach helps control moisture and minimizes the risk of slipping on wet surfaces.
For particularly stubborn stains or dried spills, use a handheld scrub brush to agitate the area and break up the residue. Wipe or mop the area clean once the grime is loosened.
Carpeted Stairs
For carpeted stairs, treat visible stains or soiled areas with a carpet-safe spot cleaner.
Apply the cleaner sparingly and blot (don’t rub) the spill using a clean absorbent cloth, taking care not to oversaturate the carpet fibers. Blot two more times, rinsing with water the first time. Stairs are often made from short-pile commercial carpet, which can be damaged by excess moisture and takes longer to dry.
Pro Tip: Choosing the right spotter involves identifying the type of carpet stain and using a chemical that’s the opposite pH of the stain’s pH. For example, coffee is an alkaline soil, so you would clean it with an acidic spotter.
If needed, use a portable carpet extractor equipped with a stair tool attachment for deeper cleaning. This equipment allows for more thorough soil removal without flooding the area, making it ideal for deep carpet maintenance.
Pro Tip: Test your cleaning chemical in a small, hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolor the stair surface.
5. Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Stairwells aren’t just about the part you walk on, they contain many high-touch surfaces that require just as much attention. Handrails, guardrails, door handles, push plates, and even light switches can harbor bacteria, dust, and fingerprints.
To clean these areas, use a disinfectant cleaner that is compatible with the material (such as stainless steel, wood, or painted metal). Spray the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth rather than directly onto the surface to avoid dripping or overspray.
Wipe down all sides of the handrails, including the underside, which is often missed but just as frequently touched. Pay attention to end caps, rail brackets, and any surfaces that users may come into contact with.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended dwell time for disinfectants to ensure that bacteria and viruses are properly neutralized.
Pro Tip: Don’t just wipe for appearance; check the disinfectant’s dwell time and follow instructions for proper disinfection.
6. Final Inspection and Drying
After cleaning, perform a final walkthrough of the stairwell to check for any missed areas, lingering spots, or excess moisture. This step helps ensure a consistent level of cleanliness and catches any issues before the area is reopened to the public.
Use clean microfiber cloths to dry any damp spots or use a floor fan or air mover to accelerate drying, especially in stairwells with poor ventilation. Ensure that stairs and handrails are completely dry to prevent slipping and to maintain the appearance of your hard work.
Once the area is fully dry and safe, remove all signage or barriers and return the stairwell to normal use.
Adapting to Different Stairwell Types
Not all stairwells are the same. Depending on the materials and environment of your stairwell, you may have to take a slightly different cleaning approach.
Here are some common surfaces you may encounter and some tips and considerations for how to handle them.
Concrete or Industrial Stairs:
- Often found in parking garages or warehouses.
- May require a degreaser or pressure washing on a scheduled basis.
- Ensure proper drainage before using water-based cleaning methods.
Decorative or Terrazzo Stairs:
- Use neutral cleaners only to protect the surface finish.
- Avoid acidic cleaners or abrasives that can damage the surface.
Metal or Grated Stairs:
- Common in outdoor or industrial settings.
- Use a scrub brush, deck brush or push broom to dislodge debris.
- May benefit from pressure washing if safe and allowed.
Wood Stairwells:
- Vacuum thoroughly and avoid excess moisture.
- Use a wood-safe cleaner for handrails and treads.
Preventative Maintenance for Stairwells
Routine cleaning is essential, but preventative maintenance helps extend the life of your stair surfaces and reduces the need for emergency cleanups.
Scheduled Deep Cleaning:
Hard floor stairs: Schedule a scrub and recoat (if applicable) every few months to remove ground-in dirt and restore shine.
Carpeted stairs: Perform full extraction every 3–6 months depending on foot traffic.
Dust Control:
Install entryway mats near stairwell entrances to reduce tracked-in debris.
Regularly clean high ledges, lighting fixtures, and walls with an extension pole to minimize dust fallout.
Safety Checks:
During each cleaning, inspect for:
- Loose or damaged stair treads
- Wobbly handrails
- Worn non-slip strips
- Burnt-out lighting
Report maintenance issues immediately to reduce hazards and liability.
Final Thoughts
Clean stairwells are more than just aesthetic, they’re crucial for safety and first impressions. With a consistent routine and the right tools, keeping them clean doesn’t have to be difficult. It simply needs to be intentional.
From daily dust removal to monthly deep cleaning, your stairwell maintenance plan should match the level of traffic and the materials in use. Whether you’re maintaining a school, hotel, office building, or public facility, a clean stairwell is a visible sign of care and professionalism.
Need Help Choosing the Right Equipment? From vacuum solutions to specialty cleaners, Imperial Dade has everything you need to clean stairwells safely, efficiently, and thoroughly. Contact us today for personalized recommendations, product demos, or training programs that help your team clean smarter, not harder.
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