You’ve gone ahead and made the investment, and your new wooden stairs look so amazing you can hardly bring yourself to walk on them. Since that’s a tough area to avoid in the long-term, the best thing you can do to protect your new pride and joy is to give them a little preventative care and TLC now and then to see that they retain their beauty, strength and charm for decades to come. Here’s a closer look at the best way to do it.
Start With Simple, Regular Cleaning
Keeping your steps clean and free of debris and dust goes a long way in terms of keeping your staircase in tip-top shape. Start with a vacuum attachment intended for the bare floor, and follow it up with a soft mop and a cleaner intended for use on wood stairs. You’ll also want to make a point to wipe up any spills quickly to avoid possible discoloration of the wood, and to do the same if the stairs are walked on by someone wearing wet or grimy shoes.
Consider Adding A Rug
Most staircases experience heavy usage, with people going up and down them multiple times per day. To maximize the life of your stairs and keep them gleaming and well-preserved for the foreseeable future, consider adding a rug at the base of your stairs to keep debris off of the stairs.
Promptly Address Dents and Dings
When it comes to wood damage, your chances of successfully repairing it tends to improve when you address it right away. If you notice small nicks or dents in your wooden stairs and there’s a layer of wax on the stairs already, add some more wax over the damaged areas to fill them in and make them less obvious. If the finish, too, is damaged, apply more to the affected area to conceal the damage as much as possible.
If properly cared for, your stairs can last a life time – so protect your investment with these simple, preventative maintenance steps and enjoy the look and feel of your stairs for decades to come.