Vacuuming trapped debris from the corners of my stairs is the bane of my existence – the surprising solution is this stylish $7 antique addition
They add character and practicality, and are fast making a comeback


With narrow steps, awkward angles, and an endless buildup of hair and dust, vacuuming the stairway is my living nightmare. No matter the attachments I try, it's never quite as easy or thorough as I'd like.
That's why I was so intrigued to learn about the return of an antique cleaning staple, Victorian stair corners, available at Amazon. They smooth out awkward corners to make picking up all the dirt a dream.
It's a simple cleaning tip that adds a ton of character to your home while being practical. What's not to like?
Why stylish dust corners are making a comeback
My partner and I have very fine hair that falls out with even a simple draft. As a result, it builds up in the corners of my stairwell for fun – I'd hate to imagine the mess if we had pets!
While vacuum crevice tools on the best cordless vacuums help some of the time, stands and dust still gets suck in the corners of the carpet and shows up in my floor-level staircase lighting, making my home look dirtier than it is.
Stair corners are an old Victorian tool that taps into the corners to round them out. Back when cleaning floors was a job for a broom, the rounded corners made it easier to sweep all the debris away, with no awkward angles for dust to hide.
Amazon shoppers love how easy they are to install, too.
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Giving the dust guards five stars, verified shopper Marc shared, 'I wanted to use these as dust guards on my stairs for an antique look. They worked out really well! They are thin like the other reviews mention, but I actually thought that was a good thing because that made it a little easier to form them to the inner corners of each stair.'
What to shop
Made from durable iron, these vintage-style protectors fit neatly into the edges of your stairs, making them easier to sweep and vacuum, while adding a touch of historical character to your home.
These more traditional dust guards come in single packs, but have a more decorative celestial finish to add character to your home.
These clear acrylic dust corners are a more modern alternative to the old metal versions to add the practicality without the antique finish.
A small handheld vacuum can make vacuuming the stairs quicker and safer, so you don't end up falling or slipping. Plus, they allow for greater control when cleaning corners.
Designed to refresh carpets, a hair rake picks up hair and debris from the carpet roots, preventing build-up in your floor coverings and clogs in your vacuum.
Adding motion sensor lights to your staircase can help prevent slips and trips in the dark. Plus, they give you a good idea of when you need to clean your floors.
Want to cut your cleaning time? Brush up on the bad habits making your floors dirty in the first place.

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years and is our resident 'queen' of non-toxic living. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.
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