Wood floors are less slippery than marble, tile, textile, vinyl, and others, especially if the wood type is hardwood.
Some experience slipperiness when the floor is new. Yet others find it so slippery over time. Various causes make the floor slippy; yes, they can be prevented if it has already happened to you.
Here are several causes and steps how to make wood floors less slippery. Then in your case, find the possible and choose the right ways to fix it, which in some cases require certain treatments.
What causes wood floors to slippery
Naturally, new bare hardwood has good adhesive characteristics and is not slick. However, the layers and finishes are the ones that make the floor slippery.
For a sudden slippery wood floor, external causes create the changes. Other contributors to slipperiness can include moisture, wax, grease, soap, talcum powder, and dust.
Regularly inspecting and maintaining the floor can help to prevent slippery floors. In more detail, here are they:
Type of finish
Some finish gives an attractive look with shine or color changes. Yet some of them cause the wood to become slippery; they include lacquer and wax.
Some oil finishes also make the surface slick, especially with inappropriate application. Applying too many layers or too thick a finish can also cause the final wood floor to become slippery.
Moisture and some chemicals
Moisture on layers increases the slipping risk as it reduces the traction. Before coming up to the layer, the moisture is usually condensed in the woods.
Meanwhile, chemicals that remove adhesive on wood floors are Endust, grease, cooking oil, soap residue, paint, salt, talcum powder, dust, silicone-based Swiffer, and others.
Using cleaning agents like Endust can make wood floors slippery if the residue is left on the surface.
Cooking oil droplets from using spray-on oil on meatballs in the oven may make your floor slippery. These droplets can fall on the floor and spread to other areas, such as the dining room, with foot traffic.
They might come within and outside the home. So watch out for your steps and clean floors regularly and properly.
Improper cleaning methods
The most common cause of slippery floors is not cleaning them properly or frequently enough.
Each wood requires certain chemicals as the cleaners. So, how to make wood floors less slippery? By using the right cleaning product. Do not overtreat mops.
Using the wrong chemicals to clean it, applying too many or too few coats of finish, over-treatment with cleaning agents, and using a Swiffer spray that contains silicon when tidying up the floor.
Other reasons why your wood floors are slippery
Visitors with contaminated footwear can contribute to making your wooden floors oily. To prevent this, encourage visitors to remove their shoes at the door and wipe their feet thoroughly on doormats before entering.
Ways to make wood less slippery
If your floor becomes slippery, try some steps below. Make sure to check the cause and find the appropriate step.
Redo the surface
All floors need some refinishing to regain their viscosity. When the floor is quite slick suddenly, it may be time to refinish. When and how frequently to refinish depends on the finish type. Don’t forget to sand and apply polish coating to make it last longer.
Use anti-skid treatment
Like the previous one, you apply anti-skid paint as the finish. Start by sanding the top first and apply the anti-skid layer. It comes in many colors and can be an additive. As an additive, make sure it goes well with the paints you’re combining.
Clean out wax residue
If the wax finish is the cause, the only to make wood floors less slippery is by removing the wax residue. It only needs mineral spirit, cloth/rags, a soft bristle broom, and a mop. After cleaning, put on a thin sealer too.
Try the vinegar solution
The quickest way to make wood floors less slippery is by cleaning the floors with a vinegar solution. Mix 125 ml of vinegar for a gallon of water equal to 3785 ml.
Mopping with the solution removes wax and cleaner buildup. Ensure to wring out the mop before each use to avoid excess liquid on the floor.
Treating a parquet floor with an oil finish?
Treating a parquet floor with an oil finish can make it less slippery by preserving the original structure of the wood and enhancing its natural texture. This provides more traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
You might think it’s strange, but oiling your wood flooring can make it less slippery. Unlike oil, wax finishes can be slippery, especially when wet. An oil finish penetrates deep into the wood, making it less slippery to walk on.
Unfortunately, you can’t just put oil over an existing finish, so you’ll need to sand down your floor and start fresh.
If you want to reduce slipperiness, consider using oil instead of wax when refinishing your floor. Natural oil kits available come with everything you need to apply the finish.
Home remedies for slippery wood floors
Shine Your Hardwood Floor with These Natural Ingredients. Start by clearing the room and ensuring it’s been swept and vacuumed.
Mix your ingredients, then grab a sponge and use it to buff each section of the floor, starting from the corner and working your way around.
Please don’t step on a section before it dries. When you’re done, stand back and admire your newly shining floor!
Try using one of the natural ingredients listed below to get it back to its shiny self!
Lemon Juice and Water Solution
Lemon juice is great for cleaning. To use it, dilute the juice with water and use it to clean your floor for a lemon-scented shine without any harsh chemicals.
Olive Oil, White Vinegar, and Water Mix
Combining these three natural ingredients can easily bring the shine back to your hardwood floors. The olive oil adds extra shine to make your floor look brand new.
Tea Solution
Making your cleaning solution using tea can be surprisingly effective. Simply brew a few tea bags in water and use it to clean your floor, as its acidity can help lift dirt. It’s great for removing small dirt particles from the grooves of your hardwood floor.
Vegetable Oil and White Vinegar Mix
Combine equal parts vegetable oil and white vinegar to make a simple but effective cleaner for your hardwood floor. The acidity in vinegar breaks down dirt and grime, making it a great natural polish.
Tips to prevent slippery wood floors
Clean the floor regularly and in the right way:
Consult the floor’s maker on the proper way of cleaning the floor as the wood’s type influences the cleaning process. That also includes the frequency of deep cleaning. For daily care, make sure to remove any chemicals and dust.
Wear specific footwear:
To avoid any chemicals spread on floors, especially from outside, change your footwear once you step on the floor. House slippers and rubber-soled footwear are more recommended than heeled shoes and socks.
Place a doormat:
Another way to protect the floor from outside unwanted chemicals and dust. Wipe the feet before stepping on the floors.
Set some rugs/mats:
As the most-known answer for making wood floors less slippery, rugs/mats shall be placed so that most people pass through. Hence dust and moisture will be trapped on the mats and the surface’s protected.
They should be placed in the bathroom, bedroom, living room, and dining room. Choose the non-slip ones since the usual ones are easily shifting and could make people slip.
Choose the right finish for floors:
Oil finish is well-known for its durable friction. On the contrary, lacquer and wax finish is more potential for a slip hazard.
Improve the traction on slippery hardwood floors
There are a few options to consider to increase grip on slippery hardwood floors:
Use non-skid clear tape on the steps and staircase. To increase grip on slippery hardwood floors, consider these options.s, and high-traffic corridors.
This will increase grip while still preserving the elegant look of the floor. However, the tape’s adhesive may remove some of the floors upon replacement.
Carpet stair treads can be added to increase traction on staircases. Secure them with double-sided carpet tape, and consider placing a rug at the bottom for extra grip.
Apply a non-skid floor coating for improved traction without sacrificing the quality of the hardwood. Consider brands with an extra shine to enhance the floor’s appearance.
Final Verdict
Slippery floors lead to fall accidents that endanger the body physically.
Though you have covered the floors in rugs/mats, slippery ones could still shift the rugs/mats making it more dangerous for a person to move across on them.
Knowing how to make your wood floors less slippery is essential and needs to be done directly before any accidents happen.