Many homeowners have turned to laminate floors as an alternative to hardwood since they offer the same refined look without breaking the bank. However, laminate floors can be quite slippery, often causing accidents. We researched how you can make these floors less slippery.
The special coating on laminate floors makes them quite slippery, even without waxing or polishing. But you can try either of these methods to make the laminate floors less slippery:
- Keep the floors clean
- Apply anti-slip sealant
- Get a rug/carpet
- Wear ideal footwear
- Use rubber/vinyl door mats
- Replace the flooring
This article provides in-depth information on how each method helps prevent accidents due to slippery floors. You will also learn what other reasons make laminate floors slippery besides the special coating. So, continue reading to find out more.
How To Make Laminate Floors Less Slippery
Here are some ways to make laminate floors less slippery.
Keep The Floors Clean
Laminate floors are naturally slippery. So, adding a layer of dirt and grime on the surface gives it the same sensation as driving on a wet road. As such, sweeping the floor and keeping it free from dust and dirt helps prevent accidents in your home.
Make sure to clean the laminate floors once or twice a week with either a broom or a vacuum. But make sure that the bristles and attachments are soft enough to avoid scratching the surface of the laminate floors.
Use a damp mop if you're dealing with a stubborn stain that's difficult to remove. Ensure that the microfiber mop and cleaning solution are suitable for laminate floor use.
Apply An Anti-Slip Sealant
Some laminate floors are more slippery than others and simply keeping them clean is not enough to reduce the risk of accidents. As such, you can use an anti-slip sealant to keep members of your household safe.
First, clean the floors with a damp rag to eliminate dust and dirt. Then, use a paint roller to apply a thin sealant layer over the laminate floors and let it dry overnight. Before applying it fully, it is wise to test it out first on a small portion of the laminate floor.
Note that this method replaces the glossy finish of the laminate floors with a satin sheen. So if you prefer how your laminate floors look, this method is not for you.
Check this anti-slip sealant on Amazon.
Get A Rug/Carpet
Rugs and carpets are a great alternative to make your laminate floors less slippery without losing their glossy finish. Ensure to get ones with a rubber underside, or else they won't be helpful.
Rugs help prevent slipping and reduce the stress you apply to your feet with each step. They also add color to your home, allowing you to show off your fashion sense to others.
Wear Ideal Footwear
Walking around barefoot puts you at risk of slipping on your laminate floors or hurting yourself by stepping into something unwanted, like a brick toy.
Slippers or shoes with rubber soles add more traction with each step, reducing the slipping risk. They also give you some much-needed protection from accidentally stepping on small objects.
Use Rubber/Vinyl Door Mats
Laminate floorings in the entryways of bathrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are common. As such, you risk slipping in these places while carrying a bunch of plates or utensils. And even if you're not carrying anything, you can easily crash headfirst into a wall or a counter if you're not too careful.
Using door mats can help reduce the risk of these accidents greatly. In addition, doormats also serve as a filter to catch dirt and debris, keeping your home clean. Just like rugs and carpets, you must use doormats with rubber undersides.
Replace The Flooring
With time, laminate floors become more susceptible to cracks and scratches. Then comes the minor chipping and splintering, which can harm your feet and cause you to trip. Plus, since laminate floors are naturally slippery, this creates a hazardous scenario inside your home.
So when you notice signs of wear and tear on your laminate floors, it's time for you to replace them. Contact a specialist on laminate floors to help guide you with this process.
Want to know how long laminate floors can last? Read this article to find the answer: How Long Does Laminate Flooring Last? [Inc. Pergo]
Check these laminate floor planks on Amazon.
What Are The Causes Of Slippery Laminate Floors?
The special coating on laminate floors gives them a glossy finish. But this is also the reason why it's slippery. Here are some other causes of slippery laminate floors:
Accumulation Of Dust And Dirt
Dust and dirt reduce the traction you have with the laminate floors. Consequently, you have a reduced adhesiveness to the laminate floors each time you take a step, thereby increasing the likelihood of slipping.
You must clean your laminate floors correctly. Besides scratches, you run the risk of oversaturating your laminate floors with too much water if you mop them incorrectly. When that happens, the laminate planks will start to swell, leaving you with uneven flooring.
If you end up damaging a couple of laminate planks, you can replace them. To do this, check out this post: How To Replace Laminate Plank In The Middle Of The Floor.
Check this laminate floor installation kit on Amazon.
Furniture Damage
Furniture and appliances can easily scratch your laminate floors. And those scratches can increase the slipperiness of laminate floors.
As such, you need to add a layer of protection between the floor and the furniture/appliances you have at home. One way to do this is by adding protectors and sliders underneath your furniture/appliances. This helps prevent them from moving around too much.
Placings rugs underneath is also a good alternative to this dilemma. And don't push and slide your furniture/appliances around. It is best to lift them as much as possible if you want to move them around.
Damage From Pets And Plants
While having pets and plants around your home makes for a lively atmosphere, they're also one of the likely causes of slippery laminate floors. For starters, they both bring in dirt into your home.
Additionally, pets have sharp nails and can easily scratch the laminate floors. And if you feed them inside the house, the constant movement of their bowls can cause the contents to spill out.
As for plants, overwatering them can cause leaks, leading to a wet, slippery floor. Furthermore, spillage can also cause water damage to your laminate floor.
Exposure To Too Much Sunlight
Leaving laminate floors exposed to too much sunlight wears them down rather quickly. Additionally, the color of your laminate floors will start to fade. This form of deteriorat ion can cause your laminate floors to start showing signs of unevenness, increasing the risk of you slipping on them.
To avoid this, install blinds on your windows. This way, you can control the amount of sunlight passing through.
To Wrap Up
To keep your laminate floors from becoming slippery, keep them clean and apply anti-slip sealant for additional protection. Ensure that you clean the laminate floor appropriately to avoid damaging it and exacerbating the problem.
You can also use shoes or slippers with rubber soles underneath to prevent slippage. Rugs, carpets, and doormats with rubber underneath can also serve the same purpose.
Check out these posts for more information on laminate floors:
Hardwood Vs. Laminate Vs. Vinyl Vs. Engineered; Which To Choose?
great article. Wooden laminates goes really with our handcrafted sofa made in wood. Thanks for sharing.