RenovaStairsLittle maintenance, but the right habits
You keep a renovated staircase with PVC, rigid PVC or laminate looking good by vacuuming it regularly with a soft brush and wiping the treads with a slightly damp cloth now and then. Usually nothing more is needed. A few smart habits will also prevent scratches and worn patches, so your stairs still look as crisp after years as on the day they were handed over.
Vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth
The basics are simple. Vacuum your stairs regularly with a soft brush head, so dust and grit are not smeared across the treads. Then wipe the treads now and then with a well wrung-out cloth or mop. Slightly damp is enough, wet is not necessary.
This matters most with laminate: the top layer is very hard-wearing, but the joints are less resistant to moisture. A soaking wet mop on the stairs is therefore not a good idea. PVC and rigid PVC are water-resistant, but there too a slightly damp cloth works best and the stairs dry quickly.
Sand is the biggest enemy
What dulls a tread fastest is not water or stains, but sand. Sharp grains under your shoes act like sandpaper. Glued PVC is the most sensitive to this. A few habits help prevent it:
- Put a good doormat at the front door and the back door
- Use the stairs in socks or slippers rather than outdoor shoes
- Vacuum more often when it is wet or sandy outside
- Do not put heavy or sharp items on the treads
If you spill something on the stairs, wipe it up straight away with a damp cloth. That way a stain never gets the chance to soak in or dry.
Which cleaning products to use and avoid
For everyday care you only need lukewarm water and, if you like, a mild pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid harsh products. They can damage the top layer or leave a film that dirt sticks to.
- Do use: lukewarm water, a mild cleaner and a soft cloth or mop
- Avoid: scouring powder, scouring pads or steel wool
- Avoid: solvents such as white spirit or acetone
- Avoid: wax or polish, because it makes the anti-slip texture slippery
That last point is important. The top layer of PVC and rigid PVC has an anti-slip texture, and laminate treads have a tangible surface texture. That is exactly what you want to keep.
Do not forget the stair nosings
The nosing is the part of the tread that takes the most wear. With glued PVC there is an aluminium nosing profile with a rib for grip and an inlay of the same PVC. Dust and sand easily collect in those ribs. Run the brush head along them when you vacuum and the grip stays at its best.
With rigid PVC and laminate the nosing is built into the tread itself. The same applies there: keep the front edge clean and free of sand, because that is where your foot lands with every step.
A painted staircase needs something different
Did you have your staircase painted rather than clad? Then it has a system of primer coats and several coats of stair lacquer, like a staircase in Arnhem that I sanded, primed and finished with three coats of anti-slip stair lacquer. Such a lacquer is strong, but it also wears first along the walking line.
Clean a lacquered staircase with a soft, slightly damp cloth and a mild cleaner. If you notice a dull walking line over time, give me a call. Touching it up in good time is always easier than waiting until the lacquer has worn through.
Warranty: how to stay well covered
The materials I work with carry a manufacturer's warranty. Glued PVC and rigid PVC have a 15-year manufacturer's warranty for domestic use. MexForm laminate has a 12-year manufacturer's warranty on the top layer of the overlay treads and risers.
Keep your quote and invoice safe, so you always know exactly which material and colour are on your stairs. That is also handy if you later want the floor laid in the same decor.
Questions about your stairs? I am happy to help
Not sure about a cleaning product, spotted a mark you do not trust, or want to add stair lighting or a new handrail? Feel free to call, message or email me. With me you have one point of contact, also after the handover.
Is there another staircase on your list that deserves a makeover? Book your free home consultation. I will come round with samples, inspect your stairs and tell you honestly what the best approach is.