Because your pets refuse to stay downstairs at all times, this area of the home eventually becomes coated with hair that is difficult to remove. If you have wood stairs, it will kind of fly around to collect in the cracks and corners, but if you have carpet, the hair will coat all over, and then it will be extra thick in the cracks and corners. Many of us try to wait this job out, hoping the fur will blow away or clean itself, but lack of magical powers has most of us attacking it sooner or later.
The go to methods for cleaning pet hair on stairs involve under powered hand vacuums, or heroic balancing acts that make use of full size ones. A vacuum cleaner will usually be able to do an adequate job if it has enough power, but getting to each stair, and removing all hair can be quite a challenge. If you choose a better tool, you can improve your results, reduce your effort, and spend less time on the actual job. A rubber broom is just such a tool, and the video below gives a quick demo on how to achieve good results. The directions that follow will give step by step directions on how to clean your stairs, and eliminate all hair.
Top Ways To Clean Pet Hair On Stairs
Cleaning pet hair off stairs can be a tedious task, especially since stairs are high-traffic areas and have multiple surfaces that pet hair can cling to. The cleaning method can vary significantly depending on whether your stairs are carpeted or made of wood. Here are the top ways to clean pet hair off stairs, including specific techniques for both types of surfaces.
Cleaning Pet Hair from Carpeted Stairs
Handheld Vacuum Cleaner:
- Method: Use a handheld vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment. Handheld models are ideal for stairs because they are easy to maneuver and can reach tight spaces.
- Procedure: Start at the top of the stairs and work your way down, vacuuming each step thoroughly. Make sure to get into the corners and along the edges where hair tends to accumulate.
- Benefit: This method is efficient and helps remove deeply embedded hair.
Lint Rollers:
- Method: Use a lint roller or a pet hair roller designed specifically for pet hair removal.
- Procedure: Roll the lint roller over the carpeted stairs, pressing firmly to pick up hair. Replace the adhesive sheets as they become full.
- Benefit: Lint rollers are great for quick touch-ups and removing surface hair.
Rubber Gloves:
- Method: Wear a pair of rubber gloves and dampen them slightly with water.
- Procedure: Rub your hands over the carpeted steps in a sweeping motion. The rubber gloves will generate static electricity, which attracts pet hair.
- Benefit: This is a cost-effective method and works well for gathering hair into clumps that can be easily removed.
Baking Soda:
- Method: Sprinkle baking soda over the carpeted stairs and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Procedure: Vacuum the stairs thoroughly. Baking soda helps to loosen the pet hair and also deodorizes the carpet.
- Benefit: This method helps to lift stubborn hair and freshens the carpet at the same time.
Cleaning Pet Hair from Wood Stairs
Microfiber Cloth or Mop:
- Method: Use a damp microfiber cloth or a microfiber mop.
- Procedure: Wipe down each step with the cloth or mop, moving in the direction of the wood grain. The microfiber material attracts and holds onto pet hair.
- Benefit: This method is gentle on wood surfaces and effectively picks up hair without scratching.
Vacuum Cleaner with Hard Floor Attachment:
- Method: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment or a brush attachment.
- Procedure: Vacuum each step, paying special attention to the corners and edges. The hard floor attachment prevents scratching while efficiently picking up hair.
- Benefit: This is an efficient method for removing both hair and dust from wood stairs.
Rubber Squeegee:
- Method: Use a rubber squeegee.
- Procedure: Sweep the squeegee over the wood steps. The rubber creates static that attracts hair.
- Benefit: This is a highly effective way to gather pet hair into piles that can be easily picked up.
Sticky Tape:
- Method: Use wide adhesive tape, such as packing tape.
- Procedure: Wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side out and pat it over the steps to pick up hair.
- Benefit: This is great for spot cleaning and can quickly remove hair from small areas.
Additional Tips
For Carpeted Stairs:
- Regular Grooming: Regularly groom your pet to reduce shedding and prevent excessive hair buildup.
- Deep Cleaning: Periodically, use a deep-cleaning carpet cleaner to thoroughly clean the carpet and remove any hair that may have become embedded over time.
For Wood Stairs:
- Dusting: Regularly dust and clean your wood stairs to prevent hair from sticking to the surface.
- Polishing: Occasionally, polish the wood to maintain its finish and reduce static that attracts hair.
By following these methods and tips, you can effectively manage and remove pet hair from both carpeted and wood stairs, keeping your home clean and comfortable. Regular maintenance and the right tools will make the task more manageable.
The Easy Way To Clean Pet Hair On Stairs
When you use a rubber broom to clean pet hair on stairs, you will not only do a good job, you will also do it with way less effort. Unlike other tools that can’t collect everything, or leave behind hair stuck in the carpet, a rubber broom will collect 100% of the fur, and also prevent it from flying around while you clean. Watch the short video, and then follow the steps below to thoroughly clean any type of stairs.
Step-By-Step Cleaning Instructions:
- This technique will work on any stair type, and will work for any debris, not just fur. Carpeted steps will be more difficult that those with smooth surfaces, and will require a slightly different technique.
- When working on smooth material, just sweep normally. When working on carpet, use shorter, more deliberate strokes like in the video.
- To clean stairs, you want to start at the top, and work your way down. This is the easiest direction to move in, and when you get to the bottom, all debris will collect into one big pile.
- To use the rubber broom on your stairs, simply apply direct pressure and pull the tool toward yourself to create a sweeping action.
- Clean each stair before proceeding to the next, and make sure to pull debris only down to the next level.
- Work from the outer edges of each step, and work your way in. Once all debris has been moved toward the middle, sweep it down to the next step.
- When using shorter strokes, the rubber will build a stronger charge. On carpet, this charge pulls hair up and out of the nap. The more shaggy your rug is, the shorter the strokes you will want to use.
- Once you get to the bottom stair, sweep everything to the floor below, and then vacuum it all up at once, or use a dustpan to collect debris and toss it in the trashcan.
Why It Works So Well
A rubber broom is ideal for this job. It will save time an effort in comparison to using a full size vacuum, and it will even remove fur that the best vacuums would only leave behind. When you sweep with this broom, the bristles form a solid wall of flexible rubber. This rubber wall conforms to surfaces, but also ensures that nothing stays in place, and even the smallest particles get swept away.
Despite acting as a wall in most instances, the individual bristles will also dig down deep into carpeting to lift up dirt and hair that can’t even be seen. As the rubber moves, it will also build a charge, so normal things like hair flying away will not occur as everything remains on the floor, and right next to the broom. The material is safe for any surface type, and will not scratch or leave marks. The pliable head easily gets into cracks and corners to pull out every last strand of hair, so even those tight areas will come clean easily. Thanks to durable materials this tool will last for many years, and it can even be cleaned with soap and water if that becomes necessary.
In the video above no hair is initially visible to the naked eye. This is pretty common for most households. There is enough hair to pick up and track to other areas, and there is enough to trigger allergic reactions, but there is not enough to get you off you butt to clean it.
As the demonstrator gets to the bottom of the stair case, a large fluffy ball of dirt, dust and hair has been pulled up and collected from the stairs. The end result is incredibly clean surfaces, and a vast reduction in allergy causing pet fur. It would take most people more time to get out their vacuum, plug it into the wall, and struggle with the attachments than it did to clean this full set of stairs.
Preventative Measures
Preventing fur and hair from building up on staircases can be challenging, especially if you have pets that shed frequently. However, there are several strategies and preventive measures that can help keep your staircases cleaner and reduce the accumulation of pet hair.
Regular Pet Grooming
Brush Your Pet Frequently: Regular grooming is one of the most effective ways to reduce shedding. Brush your pet daily or at least several times a week using a grooming tool designed for their coat type. This helps remove loose fur before it has a chance to fall onto the stairs.
Professional Grooming: Consider professional grooming services, especially for pets with heavy shedding. Groomers can provide thorough de-shedding treatments that can significantly reduce the amount of hair your pet sheds.
Pet Hair-Resistant Covers and Mats
Stair Runners and Carpets: Install pet hair-resistant stair runners or carpets. These materials are designed to trap less hair and are easier to clean. Opt for tightly woven fabrics that don’t easily attract or hold onto pet hair.
Protective Covers: Use protective covers on areas where your pet likes to sit or rest. These covers can be easily removed and washed regularly to keep hair from spreading to the stairs.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Frequent Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming is essential to prevent hair buildup. Use a vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment or a handheld vacuum to clean the stairs frequently, ideally every few days.
Lint Rollers and Sticky Tape: Keep lint rollers or sticky tape handy to quickly remove hair from the stairs. These are particularly useful for daily touch-ups and can help maintain a clean appearance between thorough cleanings.
Microfiber Cloths and Mops: For wood stairs, use a damp microfiber cloth or mop to wipe down the steps regularly. Microfiber attracts and holds onto pet hair, making it an effective tool for quick cleanups.
Reducing Static Electricity
Anti-Static Sprays: Use anti-static sprays on your stairs to reduce static electricity, which can cause pet hair to stick to surfaces. These sprays are available commercially or can be made at home using a mixture of water and fabric softener.
Humidifiers: Maintain proper humidity levels in your home using a humidifier. Low humidity can increase static electricity, making it easier for pet hair to cling to surfaces. Keeping the air slightly more humid can help reduce this effect.
Behavioral Training
Pet Training: Train your pets to avoid certain areas, such as the stairs. Use positive reinforcement to encourage them to stay off the stairs and provide comfortable alternatives, like pet beds or designated resting areas.
Barriers and Gates: Consider using pet barriers or gates to restrict access to the stairs. This is especially useful if you have certain areas of the house you want to keep hair-free.
By following these tips and incorporating these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the amount of pet hair that accumulates on your stairs, making it easier to maintain a clean and fur-free home. Regular grooming, strategic cleaning, and managing your pet’s behavior are key to keeping your stairs looking their best.
Stop dreading this job just because it is nearly impossible with the tools you have currently. You do not have to settle for furry stairs, or resorting to labor intensive techniques. When you start out with a more suitable tool in the first place, a difficult job like this can seem way easier and less time consuming. A rubber broom is about the best tool available for cleaning stairs, and it will allow you to completely eliminate dog and cat hair in a matter of minutes.
Once you have proven to yourself how useful this broom is for the job outlined above, keep it around and use in other areas to find out how much time it can save elsewhere. It outperforms regular sweeping tools on any surface, is nearly indestructible, doubles as a scrub brush and even has an integrated squeegee on the back side. There is no trick or effect involved in the video above, and anyone can get the same results on their first try. Use one for yourself and you will not be disappointed, but you will have cleaner steps to walk on.
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Once you've removed pet hairs from stairs you should steam clean with eco friendly carpet cleaning products to ensure all the germs and parasites in your pet are eradicated as they can thrive in your carpets. I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad you've given the time to help make people aware of ways they can remove pet hair off stairs. Keep posting excellent content, and please let me know when you post more good writing in the future.