Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
The unfortunate reality is that so many wooden staircases are hiding their true beauty beneath old carpeting. This means they’re not maximising their full potential. But if you’re dreaming of having refinished stairs, we’re here to help.
So here are the steps you need to follow:
Remove carpet
Take out the old carpeting and any tacking strips with care, so that you don’t damage the wood.
Clearly, this one only applies if your stairs were carpeted in the first place. But work from the top of the stairs downwards, as you free the carpet from each of the grippers holding it in place. (And, by the way, you’ll need to remove thee grippers well.)
It may be that the carpet is in several sections rather than one continuous length, in which case it will be easier to remove.
Pull out any staples
Use a pair of pliers to do this. If there are any nails remaining, just hammer them back into the timber.
Cover or take out furniture
Move away the surrounding furniture, for example bookcases on landings. Alternatively, use dust sheets, taping them down where necessary.
Pre-sanding prep
Vacuum or sweep the steps so to rid the area of loose debris and dust. And use a scraper on any pre-existing drips of paint on the stairs.
Paint and varnish
Get rid of any paint or varnish that may be on your stairs.
Sand the wood
Do this thoroughly until the wood is smooth and even. And use 80-grit sandpaper, before moving to 100 and then 120 grit. Dust and clean the timber after you’ve finiished using each grit type.
Use sandpaper or a machine for the task. Follow the grain of the wood to make removing old varnish or paint easier – this also ensures a smooth, level surface. Mechanical sanders throw up a lot of debris and dust.
The sides or ‘stringers’ should already be painted. If so, you can sand them with medium-to-fine paper of around 120 grit. If treads and risers are not painted, use a coarse 80-grit sandpaper.
Sanding machines speed things up. You should find a belt sander works well for risers and treads. Meanwhile, a detail or mouse sander is good for more intricate work and getting into corners and your stairs’ narrowest areas.
Remember to use a dust mask and safety goggles. And either vacuum up dust as you go, or attach a dust extractor to your sander.
Don’t forget the spindles
Spindles are the narrow, small uprights which fill the gap between a staircase’s baserail and handrail. They’re a safety feature, and can also be decorative. Of course, if you wanted to, you could always consider removing yours altogether.
To sand these, cut sandpaper into strips, wrap them around the posts and rub them up and down and back and forth to create a smooth surface. Use the same approach on other features which you can’t treat with a mechanical sander.
A smooth finish
Now check for holes or any areas in the stairs which need filling. Use wood filler to fill them up. In older stairs, there could be small gaps between the risers and treads. So you also need to fill these in, and allow them to dry.
Once the filler has dried, use fine-grit sandpaper (180 to 22-grit) for a final going over. You can run your finger along the sanded areas to check for smoothness.
Finally, vacuum again, and then use warm water and a cleaning solution to wipe down surfaces, before leaving to dry for 24 hours.
You’re now ready to paint or varnish!
Use a primer layer first to prepare your staircase, whether you’re painting or varnishing. Apply in thin layers. And always wait until one layer is completely dry before progressing to the next coat.
There will probably be a gap between the base of your stairs and the floorboards on your home’s lower floor. But you can fill this using a foam strip and wood filler. Just be sure that you’re creating a nice level and even finish.
Once you’ve done all this, you can enjoy a staircase that bring out the wood’s natural beauty and realises its full potential. You’ll achieve a timeless appeal that never goes out of style.
Further problems? Hire a professional
Although wooden staircases can look stunning, at times they’re also problematic. There can be issues, for example, with shrinking, wearing and creaking. All of these are pretty common niggles. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many turn to the pros for help when taking on this kind of project.
So if you feel slightly out of your depth, either with staircase refinishing or anything else, you’re certainly not alone. And talking to a professional who knows about wood repair, and who has worked on staircase projects before, is certainly a good option.
Talk to us
London-based Royal Stone Care is here to help with wood repair and restoration in London. Get in touch today for a no-obligation quote, or just to find out more. Our wood care services help you get the most from your real-wood floors, furniture, staircases or other timber products at your home or business premises.
