Stairs take more foot traffic than almost any other spot in the house. Every trip up and down lands on the same narrow strip. On a stair runner, that strip is all there is.

A runner also sits right next to bare wood, and that changes how it should be cleaned. Here’s what to know before you book stair runner cleaning, and what it costs.

Why Stair Runners Get Dirty Fast

On a staircase, every step lands in the same small area. The front edge of each step takes the most wear, and dirt grinds in there first.

Pets add to it. Dogs run the same path up and down, and hair packs into the corner where the step meets the riser.

Chicago Homes Have a Lot of Stairs

The Chicago Bungalow Association estimates about 80,000 bungalows in the city’s Bungalow Belt, most built from 1910 to the mid-1930s. A Chicago bungalow is one and a half stories tall, as WBEZ explains, so many have a staircase to the upper floor.

Many bungalows also have natural woodwork, notes the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society. If you have a runner over wood stairs, the cleaning has to protect that wood. Live nearby? See our West Ridge page.

Two-flats and three-flats add even more steps. Our apartment and condo carpet cleaning page covers walk-ups and shared stairwells.

Runner, Treads, or Full Carpet? It Changes the Job

  • Fully carpeted stairs. Carpet covers each step from side to side. It’s cleaned like any other carpet, one step at a time.
  • A runner. Carpet covers the middle, with wood showing on each side. Those wood edges need to stay dry.
  • Stair treads. Separate pieces on each step. Some lift off and some are stuck down. Tell us which you have.

Roger Oates, a maker of flatweave runners, advises using as little water as possible on a runner. It also warns against scrubbing, because rubbing can damage the weave.

How We Clean an Installed Runner

An installed runner is cleaned in place. We don’t pull it up.

  • We look at the runner and the wood beside it first. If you know what the runner is made of, tell us.
  • Spot treatment is included in the cleaning price.
  • We call before we arrive, so you have time to clear the stairs.
  • Most carpet is dry in 4 to 6 hours. Use the stairs as little as you can until then.
  • If a spot comes back within 48 hours, call us. We’ll come back and treat it.

When you book, tell us if the runner has stair rods, or if the landings are carpeted, too.

What It Costs

A staircase up to 16 stairs is $60, or $5 per stair. Our service minimum is $180, so most stair jobs include other rooms. Stairs plus two rooms up to 150 sq. ft. each comes to $180. Add a hallway up to 75 sq. ft. and it’s $210.

Carpeted landings? Tell us the size when you call, and you’ll get the full price before we start. Cards carry a 3.7% fee, and cash or check avoids it. There’s no fuel or parking fee. See our full carpet cleaning price list.

Keeping a Runner Clean Between Visits

  • Vacuum the stairs every week with a hand tool. On wool, some makers suggest suction only, with no spinning brush. This runner’s care note is one example.
  • Put a mat at the top and the bottom of the stairs.
  • Blot spills right away. Don’t scrub.
  • In winter, take boots off at the door. Road salt rides up the stairs, and our road salt carpet damage post explains what it does.

Our reviewers often mention two things that matter on a stair job: crews show up on time, and they clean up before they leave.

Stair Runner Cleaning: FAQ

Can you clean a stair runner without removing it?

Yes. Installed runners are cleaned in place. We look at the runner and the wood edges first.

How much does it cost to clean carpeted stairs?

$60 for up to 16 stairs, or $5 per stair. Our service minimum is $180 per order.

Will cleaning hurt the wood next to my runner?

Too much water is the main risk. Runner makers advise using as little as possible. Tell us about the runner and the wood finish when you book.

How long before we can use the stairs?

Most carpet is dry in 4 to 6 hours. Keep traffic light until then.

Do you clean stairs in two-flats and three-flats?

Yes. We work in walk-ups across Chicago, and a shared stairwell can be quoted on its own.

When are you open?

Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. We’re closed Sunday.

Stairs Looking Worn?

Call (773) 570-4224 and tell us how many stairs you have and whether it’s a runner or full carpet. The estimate is free.