Have you recently acquired a wooden stair railing and are wondering how to maintain it to preserve it for as long as possible? The stair railing is an essential safety element, but also a decorative asset that is heavily used and can therefore get dirty and wear out quickly. Moreover, if it’s made of wood, this noble material also tends to age, which beautifies it if properly maintained.
Maintaining a stair railing based on the nature and finish of the wood
In order to maintain your stair railing in the best possible way, that is, using the right products, you need to know its nature as well as its finish. A wooden stair railing can be made of beech, oak, or fir wood. It can also have been painted, varnished, oiled, or left untreated. This type of information is important for maintenance because, for example, beech wood does not tolerate moisture and must therefore be cleaned without water. Wood types such as walnut, pine, or fir are softer than oak or beech, so care must be taken as marks or scratches appear more easily on these types of wood.
Wood finishes and maintenance
- Untreated wood railing:
If your untreated wooden stair railing is dirty, especially because it is in regular contact with hands, you can use bleach water to clean it. With this process, you will restore the natural color of the wood and allow it to age beautifully.
- Varnished wood railing:
If your stair railing has been protected with one or more coats of varnish, a few drops of white vinegar on a soft, damp cloth can remove light grease marks. If you’re facing more significant damage, you can also use linseed oil or a professional oil to make the varnish shine again. On varnished wood, never use baking soda, a sponge, or an abrasive cloth as it risks damaging it.
- Painted or lacquered wood railing:
If your wooden stair railing has been painted or lacquered, you can use a soft sponge with warm, soapy water to clean it. Never use abrasive products or even oily products on wood that has been painted.
In all cases, never apply maintenance products directly to the wood, but always through a soft, clean cloth. Also, be careful to dry any remaining moisture thoroughly.
Steps to remove ingrained stains on wood
To properly clean your wooden stair railing, always start by thoroughly removing all dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Then use the cleaning technique recommended for its finish, with the appropriate product and cloth. Finally, if despite your regular maintenance you detect the presence of dry, ingrained stains, sanding the surface may be necessary. This should be done with care. For this, you can call on professional services. Stripping allows for the removal of ingrained dirt and restores cleanliness to prevent your railing from becoming a real breeding ground for microbes. After sanding, wood professionals will take care to give it the finish you desire to restore all the wood’s shine.
