How to Clean a Home Lift: Your Essential Cleaning Guide

Nearly 45% of older adults struggle with using the stairs, which can make it difficult to travel freely between floors. This is where installing a home lift can be a lifeline that helps you regain full access to your entire space and maintain your independence as you age. However, since these lifts typically see regular use, they also need frequent upkeep to help them look their best.

As you get older, we know you may not be able to clean as easily as you once could, but there’s no need to worry. If your home lift needs sprucing up and you or a loved one is wondering what to do, we have the answers. With just a few simple steps, you can ensure your home lift stays in top condition for years. We’ll introduce five simple steps to keep your home lift clean.

What you’ll need for a thorough clean

The good news is: specialist cleaning products aren’t needed to help take care of your home lift. A few everyday household items will do the trick, making the process quick and easy to commit to regularly, or to arrange for someone else to do it for you.

Here’s what you’ll need for a thorough clean:

• Disinfectant spray — Perfect for cleaning surfaces and removing germs.
• Glass cleaner — To keep your lift doors and windows sparkling.
• Microfiber cloths — Ideal for wiping down surfaces without leaving lint behind.
• Disposable gloves — To protect your hands while you clean.
• Hoover — To tackle dust and debris, particularly in soft carpeted areas.

How often should you clean your Stiltz Home Lift?

When it comes to keeping your home lift clean, how regularly you need to do so depends on how often you use it. Naturally, if it sees daily use, your lift will accumulate more dust and debris than one used less frequently — especially if you live in a multi-generational household where small, sticky fingers tend to leave behind handprints.

For most homes, we recommend wiping your lift down once a week, with a more thorough clean at least once a month. This simple routine maintains your lift’s functionality, helping it operate smoothly and look great. But that’s not the only reason to keep up with cleaning your home lift.

Here are some other benefits of regular cleaning:

• Improved hygiene — Cleaning your home lift often keeps harmful germs and bacteria at bay, especially in areas with high contact, like railings or control buttons.
• Longer lifespan — Regular maintenance helps prevent wear and tear.
• Neater appearance — A well-looked-after home lift helps contribute to a clean, welcoming home.
• More comfortable to use — Nobody enjoys using a dirty lift when in public, and the same goes for a domestic lift in the comfort of your home.

How to clean a lift in 5 steps

Whether you’re undertaking the task yourself or getting some help from a loved one, cleaning your home lift is relatively straightforward and usually only takes 30 minutes at most. Since our Stiltz Home Lift doesn’t require a shaft, it’s much easier to clean than other models on the market, meaning the only thing you need to worry about is the car itself.

Follow these five steps to keep your lift looking fresh and running smoothly:

1. Power off the lift

Before you start cleaning, it’s important to power off your lift to avoid any accidental movement while wiping down the control buttons. Since our Stiltz Home Lifts plug directly into a regular wall socket, simply flicking the switch will turn it off. This step ensures you can clean with peace of mind without worrying about the lift moving while you work.

2. Clean the interior first

While it may be tempting to start cleaning the outside of your lift car straight away, it’s best to begin with the interior. This helps avoid tracking dirt back inside and gives any surfaces time to dry completely before you use the lift again.

Start by gently wiping down all surfaces inside the lift car with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust or loose debris. Use light, circular motions to capture the dust without pushing it around. For a deeper clean, you can then take a clean cloth and a glass cleaner spray. Lightly spritz the cleaner over the interior walls, but be careful not to oversaturate the surface to prevent drips.

You can then use a clean cloth to wipe the cleaner solution off in smooth, even strokes, working from top to bottom. To avoid streaks, use a dry section of your microfiber cloth for the final pass, and always wipe in one direction (either vertical or horizontal). This technique minimises streaks and leaves the surfaces gleaming.

3. Wipe down the controls and railings

Now, it’s time to focus on the control panel and railings inside your lift. These high-touch areas are frequently in contact with your hands, so they tend to gather dirt, oils, and bacteria.

Start by spraying your disinfectant onto a clean cloth — never directly onto the 1lift surfaces, as this could cause excess moisture to seep into the control panel or mechanisms. Using the dampened cloth, gently wipe down the control panel and the support railings. When cleaning the control panel, pay special attention to the buttons or switches, as these can accumulate grime and oils from your fingers.

For the railings, wipe them with smooth, steady strokes to remove any dirt or bacteria. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies where dust and grime can hide. After cleaning, allow the surfaces to dry completely, leaving the lift powered off for at least an hour. This makes sure there’s no remaining moisture that could interfere with the functionality of the lift.

4. How to clean your lift doors

Now that the lift’s interior is sparkling, it’s time to focus on the exterior. Start with your glass cleaner and a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Spray a small amount onto the door, taking care not to leave behind too much residue.

To clean the doors, start at the top and work your way down in vertical strokes, which helps prevent streaks. Use a clean section of the cloth for each swipe to create an even finish. If there are stubborn handprints or dirt marks, you may want to spray a light mist of disinfectant on the cloth and gently wipe the affected area before going in with the glass cleaner.

For the best results, finish by buffing the entire glass surface with a fresh, dry cloth, paying extra attention to corners and edges where smudges tend to linger.

5. Hoover the soft surfaces

To finish off your cleaning routine, you’ll want to give the soft surfaces inside the lift car and on the roof a quick vacuum. This will pick up any dust or debris that you’ve knocked down while making sure your lift looks tidy from top to bottom.

Use a handheld vacuum or the hose attachment on your regular vacuum cleaner to carefully go over the carpeted surfaces inside the lift car and any fabric on the roof, if applicable. Make sure to reach all corners and edges to catch any crumbs or dirt that might have settled.

Travel with ease with Stiltz

Regular cleaning ensures your Stiltz Home Lift stays in excellent condition and continues to provide safe, smooth movement throughout your home. Whether you’re looking for a compact lift like the Duo or a wheelchair-accessible option like the Trio, we have the perfect solution for your needs.

Contact our team today to learn more about our revolutionary lifts, or explore our blog for more helpful tips on ageing in place.