How to Stain and Seal Wood Stairs

We have a small wood landing and steps leading to our back patio from our back door. Between the dog and the kids and all the foot traffic, the wood on the stairs was getting very dirty. I decided to stain and seal the stairs to make the space look more finished. Here is how to quickly stain and seal wood stairs.

Clean the Wood

You can see what a difference it makes just to clean up the wood! I scrubbed the wood with a mixture of bleach water and a bristle brush.  After scrubbing, you can simply hose it off the patio and let it dry.

Stain the Wood

I used a dark walnut stain and applied two coats, waiting some time in between. All I used was a soft cloth to adhere the stain to the wood. Be sure to use painter’s tape to prevent the stain from penetrating the concrete patio! It already looks so much more finished!

Seal the Wood

Even though we have a covered patio, I applied an outdoor water-based wood sealer to protect it from the elements and dog drool (yes, that is a reality at my house)! You can apply the sealer the same way you applied the stain.

The exterior of our house is light, so the dark stain really adds some richness to the space. To clean the stairs, I simply spray with the hose or use a rag and some gentle cleaner. Anyone can do this DIY project! Learning how to stain and seal wood is easy, inexpensive, and makes a big impact. xo