Struggling to vacuum the stair carpet

tjp70

picklepick wrote: »

If you put the vacuum at the top of the stairs and pull down on it, then yeah, it will fall on you...

Leave it at the bottom and pull the hose up, not the other way round!

But the electric socket is at the top......;)

I have ordered the Bissell, that seems a nice little gadget, especially as it will also sort the cat litter tray area and the car too.

Thank you for all your advice.

picklepick

tjp70 wrote: »

But the electric socket is at the top......;)

I have ordered the Bissell, that seems a nice little gadget, especially as it will also sort the cat litter tray area and the car too.

Thank you for all your advice.

So is mine, but I use an extension lead. Cheaper than buying a new vacuum cleaner and no bruises.

tessasmum

Skint_yet_Again wrote: »

Due to health problems with my back neck and hands I find it very difficult to hoover my stairs.

Instead I use a dustpan and brush. I find the brush gets most of dust and debris out of carpets

I do it this way as well, and find that a brush makes a much better job than a hoover. I started this method years ago when I had two sets of semi-circular stairs to do and none of the steps were wide enough to stand my Henry on without him toppling over regularly! If I can't find the brush occasionally, I will also do what another person suggested and use my scrubbing brush, as long as it is dry.

azzabazza

mazza111 wrote: »

I brush then down and hoover up at the bottom. Don't use a dustpan brush tho, a firm sweeping brush, gets most of the dirt off them.

Because of joint pain I find this the easiest way to clean the stairs.

Ben84

Don't most people hold the cleaner in one hand and vacuum the stairs with their other hand? I don't try to balance the vacuum cleaner on the stairs because they're too thin to hold it - although you can if your arm gets tired rest it there while still holding it steady.

I did however replace my old vacuum cleaner as it was too heavy and a difficult shape. For some reason, many are round which is just about the worst shape you could imagine when vacuum cleaning the stairs. My electrolux however is basically rectangular and fairly light weight, plus it has a well placed handle on the side. So, if you put it on the end it will fit entirely on a stair and the handle is in the right place to hold it steady. Quite what design you prefer is up to you, but it did help to spend a few minute picking them up and walking around with them in the shop before choosing one.

maman

Skint_yet_Again wrote: »

Due to health problems with my back neck and hands I find it very difficult to hoover my stairs.

Instead I use a dustpan and brush. I find the brush gets most of dust and debris out of carpets

meritaten wrote: »

I dont vacuum the stairs - I find an oldfashioned scrubbing brush does a much better job anyway - just work downwards and then vacuum when it all lands at the bottom of the stairs!
(I too have been hit by falling vacuum cleaner in the past - and find this much the safer method too).

I've used both these methods very successfully. Brush for dustpan needs to be very stiff for a good clean. I used to do it (that's clean the stairs:o) when still in my nightie and then have a good shower afterwards as I always got filthy!!

I say 'used to' to as my DH has now taken over almost all of our cleaning. He loves his Dyson and uses all the attachments. It's probably a boys with toys/gadget man thing but who cares!:rotfl: