How to clean a stairlift: Our guide to stairlift care

Keeping a stairlift clean and well-maintained is the open secret to ensuring it operates smoothly for many years to come. Whether it’s your stairlift or the stairlift of a loved one, it doesn’t take a lot of work or fancy products to keep it looked after. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to our stairlift cleaning tips.

A step-by-step guide to cleaning your stairlift

All you need to properly clean a stairlift is the user manual, a non-abrasive cleaner or warm water with washing up liquid, and a few soft cloths. We recommend giving your stairlift this simple cleaning treatment once a week, if possible, to avoid any dirt buildup that could become harder to remove.

1. Read the user manual

Before you even begin cleaning, it is essential that you check the user manual that came with your stairlift. This is to ensure you don’t miss any specific instructions or recommendations by the manufacturer, such as products to avoid or areas on the chair not to touch or get wet.

2. Park and turn off the stairlift

When you are ready to begin cleaning, park your chair at the bottom of the stairs. This is important because even though you may have more room at the top of your staircase, you are putting yourself at risk of falling down the stairs.

Next, turn the stairlift off. This is for your safety and to avoid potentially damaging the stairlift should it start to move while you’re trying to clean it.

3. Vacuum any grit and debris

Use a vacuum to suck up any small, loose debris and grit that may be in the seams of the chair or on the track. Things like crumbs, pet and human hair, thread, and carpet fibres can accumulate over time, and it’s much easier to vacuum these up than wipe them away to be vacuumed off the stairs later.

4. Clean the seat and body

Use a gentle cleaning product (no bleach or abrasive chemicals) or mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm water, and clean the seat and body of the stairlift. We suggest using a soft cloth – nothing that could cause scratches to the paintwork or finish your stairlift may have. Get the cloth damp with the water or product, and carefully wipe everything down.

5. Clean the track

The stairlift track, known also as a rail, should also be cleaned, but do this with a dry cloth. This is because water or cleaning products could interfere with the track’s lubricant or even remove it completely from the gear teeth. Doing this may result in damaging the track or chair when it next operates.

6. Let the stairlift dry

It’s very important to let the stairlift completely dry before using it again to avoid any water getting into the electrical parts while the stairlift is running. Either let it air-dry or use a clean, dry cloth to dry it manually.

Maintaining your stairlift

Cleaning is only part of the process when it comes to taking proper care and preserving the lifespan of your stairlift. Regular stairlift maintenance is also necessary to keep it running safely. This work can be done yourself, by a loved one, or by a professional stairlift installer.

Lubricate the stairlift track

Regular rail lubrication is key to the smooth operation of your stairlift. Every two to three months, we recommend adding lubricant to the rail to ensure the seat moves seamlessly up and down your stairs. However, it can be a little trickier than cleaning the seat. It may be best for an able-bodied person to complete this task, or a stairlift engineer, especially if you have hand or finger pain or limitations.

Consider professional servicing

The best way to ensure your stairlift is well-maintained is to hire professional engineers. Here at Ransome Mobility, we have decades of experience in the mobility solutions industry, installing, maintaining, and repairing stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, and more. If you think your stairlift could use some TLC, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can either visit you in Suffolk, or you can give us a call, and we can offer you advice and guidance over the phone.

Stairlift services from Ransome Mobility

We don’t just maintain stairlifts; we help our customers choose the right stairlift for them, install it, and ensure they’re happy with their lift for many years to come. We’ve installed and serviced stairlifts and wheelchair lifts across Suffolk and beyond, and are committed to assisting our customers in any way we can with their mobility solution needs.

To learn more, get in touch by calling our friendly team on 01473 727263, emailing us at info@ransomemobility.co.uk, or visiting our Ipswich showroom.