Recommended Tips to Maintain and Clean Your New Stairlift

Stairlift manufacturers recommend it's regularly serviced. There are some basic things you can do to help keep your stairlift in good clean condition.

Once you’ve had your stairlift installed, it’s important to look after it so that it will give many years’ reliable and trouble-free service. Just like any machine, a home stairlift will benefit from routine servicing and maintenance, but it is vital to stress that any mechanical or electrical work on your stairlift must be left to the experts. A brand new stairlift should be supplied with a manufacturer’s warranty which covers it against any fault or breakdown for a set period, typically one or two years. This warranty should also include at least one annual service for the stairlift, carried out by a suitably trained technician. Stairlift manufacturers recommend their products are regularly serviced. Usually once a year, by a competent stairlift engineer. This ensures they are working well and that any damaged or worn parts can be identified and replaced.   

The first one or two services will usually be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and should be included in the stairlift price. This is something you should check before you buy. Beyond that, most manufacturers offer extended warranties or ‘annual service agreements. This ensures your stairlift receives the routine expert maintenance it needs after the initial warranty expires. This is an additional ongoing cost that you should factor in, but it’s the best way to make sure your stairlift remains in a good, safe condition, and to prolong its working life.   

A basic service agreement should cover the cost of a stairlift service as recommended by the manufacturer. More comprehensive agreements might also cover the cost of replacement parts, and labor, as well as the routine service. These deals cost more, but guard against unexpected bills and provide peace of mind from knowing you’re insured against any eventuality. Although technical maintenance must be left to the experts, there are some basic things you can do to help keep your stairlift in good clean condition. Refer to the care and maintenance section of the user manual supplied with your stairlift for any advice specific to that make and model. Some general tips include:  

• Dust and clean the stairlift rail once a week with a dry cloth. You can apply a little household polish to the cloth, but do not use a damp or wet cloth on the rail, or any abrasive cleaner.  

• If you can easily access the toothed metal rack part of the stairlift rail it’s a good idea to vacuum it regularly to prevent a build-up of dust. You’ll need to use one of the tool attachments for your vacuum cleaner.  

• Most stairlift carriages have surfaces that can be cleaned with a damp (not wet) cloth or a disinfectant wipe, especially the seat, backrest, armrests, and footrest. Refer to your user manual to be sure, and clean very gently around any control switches.  

• Remote control handsets should be regularly cleaned with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe. You should also check the batteries regularly and change when necessary.  

• Make sure the stairlift carriage is always ‘parked’ on its charging point at the top or bottom of the stairs when the stairlift is not in use, so the batteries are topped up. If you’re not sure how to do this, we advised that you refer to your user manual.  

• Do not unplug or switch off the power supply to the stairlift rail. This will result in the batteries inside the stairlift carriage losing their charge so the stairlift will not work.  

• If the stairlift is not needed for a while, you should still run it up and down the stairs at least once a week to keep everything moving. Make sure it is properly parked for recharging.  

• If other people in your household use the stairs in the normal way, make sure the arms, seat, and footrest of the stairlift carriage are folded up when not in use. Other people will find it easier to get past the carriage and will be less likely to damage it by bumping into it.  

One important note of caution – do not attempt any cleaning, dusting, or vacuuming operation on the stairs if it puts your safety at risk! The main purpose of a stairlift is to keep you safe on the stairs, so it would be ridiculous to go climbing on the stairs with a vacuum cleaner in tow. If you can’t do it safely, get someone to do it for you.