Blot, never rub
Rubbing drives the stain into the backing and permanently distorts the pile on a nosing. Blot from the outside of the spill inwards with a white cloth.
Stain by stain
| Stain | First response | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Red wine | Blot, then cold water | Mild detergent solution; never hot water |
| Coffee / tea | Blot | Detergent, then a weak white vinegar rinse |
| Mud | Let it dry fully | Vacuum, then detergent on the residue |
| Pet urine | Blot heavily | Enzyme cleaner — detergent alone leaves odour |
| Grease / oil | Blot | Solvent spotter, work from the edge in |
| Ink | Blot | Isopropyl alcohol on a cloth, dab only |
| Candle wax | Let it set | Brown paper and a warm iron, then vacuum |
Wool needs different rules
- No bleach, no oxygen bleach, no strongly alkaline cleaners.
- Keep water use minimal — wool holds moisture and can mildew on a shaded stair.
- Test any product on an offcut or the top step under the landing carpet.
- pH-neutral wool-safe cleaners only.
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Open the stair runner calculatorDrying properly
- Blot out as much moisture as possible with dry towels and body weight.
- Open the hallway up and get air moving with a fan.
- Keep traffic off the treated steps until fully dry — wet pile crushes permanently.
- Re-vacuum once dry to lift the pile back up.
Whatever you decide, get the numbers first: the stair runner calculator doubles as a stair runner length calculator, adding nosing wrap, landings, winders, pattern repeat and waste so you order the right length the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get stains out of a stair runner?
Blot immediately, treat with a cleaner matched to the stain type, rinse lightly, blot dry and keep traffic off until it is completely dry.
Can you use carpet cleaner on a wool stair runner?
Only pH-neutral, wool-safe products. Bleach and alkaline cleaners will strip colour and damage the fibre permanently.
How do you remove pet urine from a stair runner?
Blot heavily, then use an enzyme cleaner. Ordinary detergent removes the visible mark but leaves the odour compounds behind.
Know your numbers in 30 seconds
Enter your step count, tread depth and riser height — the stair runner calculator gives you the exact length to order, in metres and feet, with waste included.
Plan a replacement runner