[richy27]

since i started cc i have learnt so much and invested in better equipment to produce a better result.
i use an envirodri for pre spray agitation were i used a sebo duo before glad i made the investment so versatile with the different brushes.

i feel that stair cleaning lets me down although not had any complaints. i am a bit of a perfectionist and was wondering what tools you use to clean stairs at the moment i agitate with a brush and extract with a hand tool.

regards

richard

[M.Acorn]

I upgraded earlier in the year to a Prochem 2 inch stair tool,was using the prochem upholstery tool before.
Vast improvement ,and much quicker,being wider.
Only complaint with it is where the solution hose joins,sticks out at an angle,constantly burning my hand with it.
I find the hardest bit to clean is where the tread meets the riser,noggin ? Hard to get that edge really clean sometimes,use a stiff hand brush

[Joe H]

Vac, Prespray, agitate with handbrush, 8" twin jet handtool (this has improved my efficiency)

[des]

I hoover stairs then prespray and then agitate with envirodri held up a bit so you are not getting all the weight on the carpet then i use a stair wand from woodbridge that spins  around so you can do the riser  .Always wear safety glasses

[Raymondo]

I hate cleaning stairs. Its the area of the house that seem to get the most wear.

We use the prochem handtool or will use a 9 inch handtool we got from solutions.

Either way hate doing them so my wife does the stairs I will go and prepare another room.

Ray

[Glynn]

Prochem don't make a 2 inch stair tool.
You could use a Minitex for agitating the prespray in .

[Dennis]

Finish off with a terry towel especially on the nose.

[M.Acorn]

I stand corrected sorry,it`s this one.....    GLIDEMASTER HAND TOOL, A HEAVY DUTY STAINLESS STEEL EXTRACTION TOOL,

[garyfindlay]

I`ve got a 10 inch solutions stair tool, which is great for the treads, but a nightmare for the noses and risers. i get on better with a 3 inch extracta upholstery tool. whats the technique in using a wide stair tool?

[Len Gribble]

Been trying out a twin jet as opposed to PC stair one which I generally use, very favourable results so far it has the edge, not much into agitation as I can’t find one machine that Wool safe recommend? So it’s down dwell time and napping of re Dennis.

Len

[colin thomas]

i have a couple of stair tools but in the end i think the best is the one i've had for years, the prochem single jet, built like a tank and for me a really comfortable length, the shorter one i have is fine as a spare but it is too short, gives me a back-ache if i use it too much,

colin

[Peter Sweeney]

Turn your envirodri the other way round and let it tilt over each nose. You could extract with a towel and still get a great result (whatever pre-spray you use)

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

I take the handle of the envirodri easy to use that way

CHEERS TONY

[robert meldrum]

Little bonnet mitts are useful for finishing the noses on stairs

[Amethyst]

Plenty of ideas there Richard!

I've used an upholstery tool, a big stair tool (Solutions - bit big but very quick), a Minitex and an Oreck (which was surprisingly good) ogh! and a terry towel.

Tend to select based on what I'm dealing with.

Catch you soon

[Paul Simpson]

Use to hate doing stairs when I started, was using a hand held scrub brush and an upholstery tool.
Now use a caddy clean for agitation and a stair tool, now takes 10-15 mins to clean a set of stairs when it was taking 25-30 before.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Paul

Whats a caddy clean ?

Steve

[mark shannon]

I use this most of the time,

 http://www.thebigclean.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=189

 with air holes blocked, sometimes in combination with a stair wand, very light and easy to use.

mark

[Jim_77]

On stairs that just need a light extraction, I use a 6" stair tool (the short version with grab handle on top) ... I find these tools a bit cumbersome tbh, and they cause back-ache.

When stairs are dirty and need a good rinse through I use a 3.5" hand tool with an 03 jet.  I find I naturally space my passes out too much with the 6" tool and can leave stripes on occasions.

If the risers look quite clean, they just get a misting of water from the jet and then I turn the tool upside down and go up and down along it from end to end.

To do the nosings... with the 6" tool make sure your extraction stroke comes far enough back so the water hits the nose, let go of the trigger and pull it round the curve a little, before pushing forwards for your next stroke.  With the hand tool, simply extract along the stair nose with the tool held at about 45degrees  blocking off an inch or so of the vacuum slot with your finger, to retain suction on the carpet (mind your fingers in the hot water ).  The thicker the pile the easier it is.  Do the same with the 6" tool for a dry pass, angling the tool sideways a bit.

I'm boring myself now so I'll stop

[Paul Simpson]

Steve

http://www.rgk.co.uk/acatalog/Floor_Scrubbers.html
4th item down.

Clips off the handle so also use it for agitation on upholstery which is where it produces its best results.
Its alot of money for what it is, should be priced at half the cost, having said that I only paid 10% of the cost price for it (Ebay)