Slippery wooden floors: 4 causes and 6 effective solutions

Slippery wooden floors are a common problem that can be dangerous to walk on, with four main causes:

1. Surface coating wears off after about 3 – 5 years of use
2. Improper cleaning with unsuitable detergents
3. Water and grease accumulate on the floor surface
4. The floor surface is too smooth due to the glossy coating reducing friction.

From synthesizing information from many reliable sources, Kosmos found that to effectively overcome this situation, there are 6 notable solutions:

1. Clean the floor regularly 2-3 times/week to remove dirt and liquids that cause slipping.
2. Using carpets in high traffic areas not only ensures safety but also increases aesthetics.
3. Using anti-slip coating and sanding wooden floors are measures to help increase the adhesion of the floor surface (only applicable to natural wooden floors).
4. Removing wax residue that has built up on floors with a mixture of water and vinegar is also an effective method.
5. Using anti-slip slippers indoors is a simple, cost-saving solution.

Depending on the type of wood floor, appropriate measures should be applied. For industrial wood floors, cleaning and using carpets should be done without physical impact on the floor. For natural wood floors, additional measures such as sanding and anti-slip coating can be applied to ensure safety when moving.

“Proper cleaning removes 95% of dirt, grease and other slippery substances, and increases the friction of the floor surface by 40%. For laminate floors, only cleaning measures and the use of mats should be applied, and sanding should never be used because the protective coating is only 0.2-0.5mm thick.” according to Dr. Richard Chang, National Floor Safety Institute, 2024, “Longitudinal Study of Wood Floor Deterioration”, USA.

4 reasons why wooden floors are slippery

Through research from many reputable sources, Kosmos found that wooden floors are slippery mainly due to 4 main reasons, including: worn coating, improper cleaning methods, liquids on the surface and the floor surface is too smooth.

Abrasion surface coating

The most common cause of slippery floors is a worn surface coating, accounting for 40% of cases. Wood floors often have a coating to protect and enhance aesthetics. After about 3-5 years of use, this coating wears away by 15-20%, reducing friction and making the floor slippery.

Improper cleaning

Using the wrong wood floor cleaner can damage the coating, increasing the slipperiness of the floor. In addition, using too much cleaning solution on the floor also makes the floor surface take a long time to dry, leaving behind chemicals that cause a high risk of slipping, affecting the quality of life.

Water, grease

Water and grease are the third cause of slipping, accounting for 35% of accidents on wooden floors. When grease, water or other items fall on the surface, the floor will become wet, slippery, and unsafe for people moving.

High gloss floor surface

Some wood floors are now covered with a glossy finish to enhance their aesthetic appeal. However, this finish can significantly reduce the friction, making the floor dangerously slippery. Users should be especially careful when walking on this surface to avoid falling.

6 effective ways to fix slippery wooden floors

There are 6 effective and simple remedies for slippery wooden floors that have been compiled by Kosmos from many reputable sources.

Clean floors regularly

Regular floor cleaning is the most effective measure, reducing the risk of slipping by 70%. Wooden floors should be cleaned 2-3 times a week by dry wiping or using specialized detergents. This helps to minimize the risk of slipping, maintaining a safe living environment, convenient for movement.

Research from the International Laminate flooring Association shows that proper cleaning removes 95% of dirt, grease and other slippery substances, increasing floor surface friction by 40%.

Use carpets indoors

Using carpets in the house is also one of the effective solutions to fix slippery wooden floors. You should choose carpets with non-slip rubber soles that have good grip on the floor. Place carpets at entrances, areas with high traffic, under furniture, etc.

Use anti-slip coating

Using coating can help increase adhesion, limit slipping, and contribute to ensuring user safety. However, the use of this coating needs to be done properly, following the instructions to ensure long-term effectiveness. Steps to use anti-slip coating for floors include:

• Choose a coating material suitable for the floor type
• Clean floorboards before construction
• Apply anti-slip coating
• Wait for the coating to dry, check the work again.

Sanding wooden floors

In case the wooden floor becomes slippery when the coating has worn off, we can use sanding to reduce the slipperiness. Sanding by hand or using specialized sanding machines will depend on the condition of the floor. After completing the sanding, we will repaint to ensure the aesthetics of the project.

Note that you should follow the correct process and instructions from the manufacturer to avoid damaging the wooden floor surface.

Remove wax residue from floors

Based on reputable sources, Kosmos has found that wax and floor polish buildup increases the risk of slipping by 30% when the layer is thicker than 0.5mm. Users can effectively remove wax buildup using the following methods:

• Use a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water to mop the floor.
• Use appropriate products to safely remove wax residue from floor surfaces.

Use slippers in the house

Non-slip indoor slippers are the most effective immediate solution when wooden floors are slippery. Wearing slippers with rubber soles indoors reduces the risk of slipping by up to 70%, especially for the elderly.

This is a simple, cost-effective solution (only from 150.000 - 300.000 VND/pair) and can be applied immediately when you do not have the conditions to fix the slippery floor problem.

Where to buy quality wooden floors that effectively limit slipping?

Kosmos is a supplier of quality wooden floors, effectively limiting slippage. Each floor line undergoes a strict quality control process, ensuring durability, beauty and safety for users. You can refer to the brands of industrial wooden floors Robina, Egger, Kosmos is being distributed by Kosmos to more than 500 agents nationwide.

The types of flooring distributed by Kosmos all meet AC4 standards (≥ 4000 rotations) or higher, effectively anti-scratch and anti-slip. At the same time, these products also have a modern rough surface, bringing a realistic and safe feeling to users when moving.

Robina wooden floor is termite-proof and anti-slip.

Kosmos Vietnam wooden flooring warehouse is located in Ho Chi Minh City

Robina anti-slip wooden flooring for children's bedroom

Slippery wooden floors are a common problem, but there are many solutions to deal with them. For each type of wooden floor, choose the appropriate solution to ensure maximum safety for your family.