How to Stain Stairs

Stained stairs can give any home a more elegant look. A range of different wood effects can now be created through a subtle process of staining, which won't put a strain on your budget. All that is needed is a little application and a degree of patience. Here is a simple way to stain stairs:

Step One - Sanding

The first step is to remove the current stain on your stairs. Use a piece of coarse grain sandpaper and gently rub away the stained layer from top to bottom. If there are some stubborn areas, use a finer grain of sandpaper to remove them. Sanding will create a smooth surface that will allow the new stain to stick. Wrap the sandpaper around any handrails and rub up and down repeatedly. Remove dirt and debris after you have done this with a vacuum cleaner, cloth and tack rag.

Step Two - Apply Stain

Protect all areas you do not want to stain by covering them in masking tape. Lay down sheets of newspaper to stop any additional stain splatters. Wet each area with a small sponge before applying stain, as this will help the stain spread evenly. Use a small angled paintbrush to gently apply a first layer of stain on the top and side of each step. Move the paintbrush in the same direction as the wood grain. Wait for this initial layer to dry and use a larger paintbrush to add more stain to the rest of the step. Repeat this process several times to get a darker color effect, if required.

Step Three - Handrails

The majority of stairs have handrails that run all the way down beside the steps. Either wait until the stain on the steps has dried or use a small ladder to access handrails from the other side. Wet each handrail and use a large cloth to stain them. Apply a small amount of stain to the cloth and rub the cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Allow the stain to dry each time and repeat the process until the color matches the stairs.

Step Four - Patchy Areas

Any patchy areas that are visibly lighter than the rest of the stairs will need another small layer of stain. Apply this before the rest of the stain dries. This is important because it will prevent your work from looking patchy and unprofessional.

Step Five - Varnish

The final step to complete is applying a small layer of wood varnish to the stairs. Wait until the stain has dried and use a small paintbrush to apply wood varnish to all areas that have been colored. The varnish will give the stairs a gloss appearance. This is important because the varnish will help seal in the depth of color that you have created throughout the staining process. It will also create a protective layer that will keep the stained effect in place for many years to come.