Your best bet would be to vacuum the stairs. Using a mini turbo brush attachment is very useful in picking up hard-to-get hair. You want to contain hair and dust in the vacuum and not let it blow around the room. What vacuum cleaner are you presently using? Brand? Model? There are hose extensions for vacuum cleaners that can help. Some vacuum cleaners make it easier to vacuum stairs by designing a "stair-handle".

The potential problems with removal of runner are dependent upon how the runner was installed. Some dearies actually tack the runner to the steps, tread and riser. Ouch, because removal leaves those holes to be filled and stained to match (very difficult to conceal). An alternative method is to use carpet bars which come in wood or metal, in an assortment of finishes. This is slightly more expensive but imo, also *looks* more luxurious. The carpet is barred at the back of the tread where it meets the riser; best practice has the runner tacked beneath each tread rather than slanted from top-front to the back of the next lower riser. Note that under-tread tacking also uses the most running feet of carpet, so the most finished appearance is going to cost. There are several other methods, so discuss intent with the installer before s/he does the work. One thing for sure, is to not use any sort of sticky-back tape: it either doesn't hold well, or holds too well and removel is labor-intensive. Because of the carpet pile height, if possible choose treads that are slightly deeper than usual so as to maintain fully safe depth.

Hi, we just removed carpet from our hardwood stairs and had them sanded and refinished professionally. Unfortunately, somebody at some point (the carpet installer?) made cuts on the sides of each thread that even after sanding, go very deep into the wood and cause the stain to be absorbed very differently. Even after refinishing, the stairs look like they have deep, dark scratches on the sides. The actual removal of the carpet and the tack was very fast but the sanding took two guys almost a full day (this is for 8 threads and risers, and it was not glued). So, my sincere recommendation would be to try whatever method(s) you chose, from beginning to end in one or two steps, and judge for yourself if the result is worth your effort. Looking into inexpensive threads may be a sanity preserving option. All the best!

If you've ever fallen on stairs, both carpeted and not - you would want carpet on them. I hate carpet and have wood everywhere but carpet on the stairs. When I was building my house I did a lot of research and discovered the bulk of it recommends carpeted stairs for safety. I considered wooden stairs with a runner, but I've had that before and found all the nooks and crannies were horrible to clean. And I've had a 1920's era wooded staircase (two sets actually - one for the family and guests and the second hidden one for servants that sadly didn't come with the house when we purchased it) - had to add these rubber stair treads on them so they weren't so slippery for my older relatives which sort of ruined the beauty of the wood. rubber non-slip stair treads