A clean floor is often the basis for a happy and healthy home, but just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it is in excellent condition. At times, a clean floor presents a risk in your household because it is unsafe to walk on. Slip and fall accidents represent close to one-third of non-fatal in the workplace, and the same is true at home.
At The Sparkle Gang, we are cleaning specialists and know there is often a compromise between cleanliness and safety. However, there doesn’t have to be, and with the correct cleaning solutions, you can clean floors while making them safer to walk on.
There are many commercial floor cleaning products, but do you know what these do to your home and, by extension, your loved ones?
Whether you need a last-minute cleaning mixture with guests arriving shortly, or you are sick of paying a high price for commercial cleaning products with ingredients you are unsure of, home remedies are ideal for slippery floors.
Here are some homemade remedies that you can use to make a floor less slippery:
Mix one-part white vinegar with two parts water in a bucket, then apply the mixture to the floor with a dry mop. The vinegar's acidity will help remove any slippery residue and improve traction. You can also check out our post "Apple Cider Vinegar Cleaning Hacks", for more additional insights.
Sprinkle baking soda over the slippery area, then pour vinegar over the top. The mixture will bubble and fizz, which helps to lift any grime or dirt that could cause the floor to be slippery. After a few minutes, scrub the area with a brush and rinse with water.
Sprinkle salt over the slippery area, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse with water. The salt will help to break down any residue on the floor, making it less slippery.
Pour a small amount of Coca-Cola onto the slippery area, then let it sit for a few minutes. The acid in the Coke will help to remove any residue on the floor that could cause slipping. After a few minutes, scrub the area with a brush and rinse with water.
Mix water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the slippery area, then wipe with a clean cloth. The alcohol will help to remove any oils or other greasy residues.
Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bucket. Use a mop to apply the concoction to the slippery area, then rinse with clean water. The soap will help to break down any slippery residue on the floor.
Sprinkle a small amount of cat litter over the slippery area, then let it sit for a few minutes. The litter will help to absorb any moisture or residue on the floor, making it less slippery. Sweep up the litter and dispose of it properly.
Before using any of these remedies on your floor, it's a good idea to test a small area first to ensure it won't damage the finish. Always dry a wet floor as quickly as you can, and if you apply polish to a wood floor, leave time before walking on it.
The tips listed above are suitable for a wide range of floors, and you can minimise the risk of slippery floors with household items and traditional remedies.
Vinegar is a popular natural cleaning agent that can be mixed with water to create an effective cleaning mixture for many surfaces and makes the floor less slippery.
However, there are specific floor surfaces to which you should not apply a vinegar and water mixture, as it can cause damage or discolouration. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to check our article on "Best Way To Clean Laminate Floors".
Vinegar is an acid and can strip the finish off of hardwood floors, causing them to look dull and damaged. It can also cause the wood to warp and crack over time. Instead, use a cleaning mixture specifically designed for a hardwood floor.
Vinegar is also not recommended for marble floors, as it can etch and damage the natural stone. Instead, use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for use on marble.
Like marble floors, vinegar can damage and discolour natural stone floors, such as travertine, limestone, and slate. Use a cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone floors.
If your floors are wax-sealed, a vinegar solution can strip wax residues off and damage the floor's surface. Instead, use a cleaner recommended for wax-sealed floors to ensure you don't remove the wax while you keep your floors clean.
Yes, placing a mat on wooden floors is generally okay to make it less slippery. Mats can help to provide traction and prevent slips and falls, particularly on hard, smooth surfaces such as tile or slippery wood floors.
However, ensuring the mat is secured correctly and does not create a tripping hazard is essential. An absorbent mat not only makes floors less slippery, but it can also maintain your flooring material, reducing the likelihood of slipping accidents.
Cleaning up slippery floors before you place doormats is vital to prevent slips and falls if there is excess water or the floor is otherwise slippery due to spills or other hazards.
Keeping your floor clean is an essential household task, but the threat of a slippery floor is real, regardless of your floor type. You know in the worst-case scenario, slippery floors lead to slip and fall accidents.
In most cases, you might have a bruised ego, but these falls can lead to broken bones or traumatic brain injuries, in your own house.
There are many anti-slip treatments to consider, like carpet runners and absorbent mats, especially for high-traffic areas, but cleaning and coating slippery floors adds a slip-resistant quality to your home.
Whether you have a wood floor, lino, stone, or other flooring type, our few tips will keep your floor looking fantastic while you, your family members, and your loved ones stay safe in your house.
Before you go, take a look at our other article "How To Clean Soot Off Bricks".
