What are the best tips for caring for your stairlift?

As with any piece of equipment, it is important to know how to take care of a  stairlift in order to get the most out of it and lengthen its life.

In this guide we share some useful advice and tips on caring for your stairlift. Whether you can carry these out yourself or a friend or family member is happy to do it for you, this guide of care and cleaning tips will show you how.

Top tips for cleaning and caring for your stairlift

• Cleaning your stairlift
• DO NOT use cleaning solvents
• Small signs of a serious problem to look forRead the manual and have an annual service
• Don't unplug your stairlift
• Get to know the features of your stairlift
• Know who to call should your stairlift stop working

Cleaning your stairlift

Whether the stairlift is being cleaned by the user or not, this should always occur when the stairlift is at the bottom of the stairs to avoid any trips or falls. You can find out more by reading our stairlift MOT guide.

A stairlift needs cleaning just like any other part of the home, and whilst it is recommended that maintenance professionals test and check the stairlift track, you can still clean it yourself. It is also straightforward to clean the seat by following these simple cleaning tips.

Keep the rails free from obstructions and clean them once a week. Never use a damp cloth or scrubber, as this could cause serious damage. Just wipe the rails clean with a dry cloth. A vacuum hose is great for getting stubborn dust out of those hard-to-reach places.

ALSO READ: Types of stairlifts

DO NOT use cleaning solvents

It is very important that you do not use solvents, bleaches or abrasive cleaners that are better designed for cleaning a walk-in bath or shower; these can corrode or short-circuit the important and delicate components within the stairlift.

The chair and carriage can become damaged, and the roller on the stairlift track will lose friction if cleaning solvents are used. If the roller loses friction, it can then skid, which the stairlift will respond to by stopping or even shutting down.

Whatever cleaning tips you may come across elsewhere, cleaning solvents should NEVER be used if you want to keep your stairlift in good working order.

Small signs of a serious problem

• Noise: If your stairlift begins to make more noise than usual.
• Ride discomfort: If you experience a juddering or slow-moving start, this could be a motor problem or a leaking battery.

If you notice any of these signs whilst you are using your stairlift, it could be a sign of a serious problem, and you should call in an expert to diagnose and fix the issue.

Read the manual and have an annual service

The manual should always be consulted before cleaning or maintaining the stairlift. Particularly invasive or vigorous cleaning, as this could void the warranty and damage the stairlift, so it pays to be careful.

An annual service of the stairlift by a professional is highly recommended, as they will have the skills and knowledge needed to carry out cleaning and lubrication, as well as provide helpful advice on maintenance and stairlift spares to replace damaged parts. You can find out more information by reading our stairlifts service and support guide.

Keeping on top of cleaning and maintenance should also lead to fewer problems that would require the services of an emergency engineer, so make sure to check and clean everything regularly.

ALSO READ: Essential stairlift information

Don't unplug your stairlift

Some people might think that unplugging their stairlifts will help save them money, but the truth is that a stairlift uses up very little energy and unplugging it can, in fact, damage the battery pack.

It is, therefore, best to leave your stairlift turned on at all times, and this will help you get longer out of your battery life.

Get to know the features of your stairlift

Modern stairlifts now boast a variety of different safety features and designs that vary from model to model. One way to take proper care of your stairlift is to understand the different features of your stairlift are so that when it comes to cleaning it; you are not moving parts that you shouldn’t be.

All of the stairlifts from Age Co Stairlifts have a manual, and we also supply brochures which outline different stairlift options and features, for those thinking about purchasing one.

Know who to call should your stairlift stop working

Although the user manual for your stairlift might be able to help you identify a problem, you need to know who you can call should it break down. You can contact us, and we will get a Handicare engineer to work with you as soon as possible to fix the issue.

ALSO READ: Stairlift troubleshooting

Have questions about stairlifts?

If you have questions about stairlifts, You should take a look at our helpful advice guides, which cover a range of topics, including stairlift removal, second-hand stairlifts, and stairlifts for parents. 

This article was brought to you by Handicare, working with Age Co, who provide a range of home mobility products such as stairlifts, homelifts and bathing solutions. For more information about how they can help make your home more accessible, please get in touch.