Interior Cleaning Guide
Stairways collect fine caliche dust in riser corners and tread edges. Tucson townhomes and multi-level homes need a tread-by-tread approach to clear the grit before it scratches the surface.
Always work from the top step to the bottom. Debris knocked loose from upper steps falls onto steps below. If you start at the bottom, you will redo your work. Use the crevice tool first on the corners where tread meets riser.
Use the vacuum upholstery or brush attachment on carpet stairs. Make several passes on each tread. Run the attachment along the base of each riser, where carpet meets the riser wall. That seam traps the most dust and pet hair.
Use a soft-brush vacuum attachment on hardwood stairs. Avoid stiff brushes that can scratch the finish. After vacuuming, wipe each tread with a barely damp microfiber cloth. Dry right away so moisture does not seep into the wood grain.
Tile stairs with grout on the risers collect caliche dust in the grout lines. Use a stiff brush and warm soapy water. Scrub along the grout, then rinse with a damp cloth. Dry the tile after to prevent spots.
Caliche dust is fine and heavy. It settles into the back corners of stair treads where the tread meets the riser. On carpet stairs, it packs into the fibers and dulls the color over time. On tile, it sits in the grout and hardens if left too long.
Alex's townhome and multi-level service includes stair detail on every visit. Our crew of three to four trained cleaners uses the crevice tool on every corner and checks riser grout lines during the deep-clean pass.
Use a handheld or cordless stick vacuum with a brush attachment. Work from the top step down. Use the crevice tool on the corners first, then the brush head on the main tread surface.
Use a stiff brush to loosen debris from the carpet fibers. Work the brush in short strokes from the back of the tread to the front. Then vacuum up the loose material with any vacuum that has a hose attachment.
Vacuum carpet stairs at least once a week. Wipe hardwood or tile stairs twice a week. In Tucson, caliche dust builds up fast, so more frequent light passes prevent heavy buildup.
Alex's Cleaning Service includes stair detail on every visit to townhomes and multi-level homes. Our crew of three to four trained cleaners serves Tucson and surrounding metro areas. Call (520) 445-1061 or book at alexscleaningservice.com/book/.