How to Stop Slips on Your Tiles (Slip Safety UK Guide)

Slippery tiles may look attractive, but they are one of the biggest contributors to slips, trips, and falls — especially when exposed to water, grease, soap residue, or detergent film. Whether it’s a hotel lobby, restaurant kitchen, gym changing room, washroom, or even a household bathroom, tile flooring can quickly become unsafe if not treated correctly.

At Slip Safety UK, we specialise in deep floor cleaning, anti-slip tile treatment, and Pendulum Slip Testing across the UK. Through thousands of floor surveys, we’ve learned one important truth:

Tiles are rarely slippery because of the tile itself — they become slippery because of what’s sitting on top of them.

Here is a complete guide on how to stop slips on tile floors and ensure your space becomes safer to walk on, even when wet.

Step 1: Proper Deep Cleaning (Remove Residue, Oils, & Detergent Films)

Daily mopping doesn’t “clean” tiles — it spreads grease and detergent around. Over time, the residue builds up and creates a slick, invisible layer that causes slips.

Deep cleaning is the first and most important step to restoring tile grip.

A proper deep clean removes:

• Oil and grease buildup (especially on kitchen floors)

• Soap film (common in bathrooms and changing rooms)

• Incorrect cleaning chemical residue

• Dirt compacted into tile pores and grout lines

At Slip Safety UK, we use professional degreasers and mechanical scrubbers to extract contaminants from the tile and grout. Once the residue is removed, tiles instantly become more slip-resistant — often improving PTV (Pendulum Test Value) scores before any treatment is even applied.

Step 2: Switch to the Correct Cleaning Chemical (Neutral pH Cleaner)

Many businesses unknowingly use the wrong cleaning chemical. Harsh detergents and bleach may clean the surface visually, but they leave behind film that makes tiles more slippery.

To keep tiles safe:

• Avoid: bleach, soap-based cleaners, polish, scented detergents

• Use: neutral pH cleaner designed for hard floors

The correct chemical should clean without leaving a greasy layer.

Slip Safety UK Tip:
If the floor looks shiny after cleaning — and no buffing machine was used — it’s probably slippery.

Step 3: Apply an Anti-Slip Treatment / Coating (The Fastest, Most Effective Fix)

If deep cleaning alone doesn’t restore enough grip, the next step is anti-slip treatment.

Anti-slip tile treatment works by creating microscopic traction on the tile surface — invisible to the eye but powerful underfoot. Unlike floor mats or stickers, it requires no maintenance and doesn’t change the floor’s appearance.

Benefits of anti-slip tile treatment:

• Increases floor grip (dry and wet)

• No change in colour or aesthetics

• Works on ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, and terrazzo tiles

• Improves slip resistance to 36+ PTV (HSE safe rating)

Unlike coatings that sit on top, tile Anti slip treatment reacts chemically with the tile surface, making it a long-lasting safety solution.

Where we apply it:

• Hotel washrooms

• Restaurant kitchens

• Malls and retail entry areas

• Pool edges and spas

• Commercial bathrooms

In most cases, treatment takes only a few hours, and the floor can be walked on the same day.

Step 4: Pendulum Slip Testing (Measure Safety – Don’t Guess)

You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

The Pendulum Slip Test is the official HSE-approved method of measuring slip resistance. It gives a numerical value (PTV):

At Slip Safety UK, we test your tile before and after treatment so you have legal proof your floor is safe.

Step 5: Improve Maintenance Routine (Keep the Grip You Gained)

Once your tiles are deep cleaned and treated, you must maintain them correctly. The wrong cleaner will undo your results.

Ongoing maintenance checklist:

• Use neutral pH cleaner daily.

• Avoid wax, polish, or scented detergents.

• Schedule periodic deep cleaning if it’s a high-traffic area.

This ensures the non-slip results remain consistent and long-lasting.

Bonus Options (If Treatment Isn’t Possible)

If anti-slip treatment cannot be applied due to temporary restrictions, you can use:

1. Rubber anti-slip mats near sinks or wet entry points

2. Anti-slip grip tape on stairs and step edges

3. Yellow slip warning signage during wet cleaning

These are temporary solutions — not long-term fixes.

Final Thoughts

Stopping slips on tile flooring is not about replacing the tiles — it’s about treating them correctly.

Q1. Why are my tiles slippery even after I clean them?
Most tiles become slippery because cleaning chemicals leave behind a residue or detergent film. When water or grease mixes with residue, tiles become extremely slippery. It’s not the tile itself — it’s what’s sitting on top of it.

Q2. What is the fastest way to make tile floors non-slip?
A professional anti-slip tile treatment is the fastest and most effective fix. It improves grip instantly and does not change the floor color or appearance. Floors can usually be walked on within hours, not days.

Q3. Do I need to replace my tiles to fix slip issues?
No. In almost every case, replacement is unnecessary. Deep cleaning + anti-slip treatment is much more cost-effective and delivers better slip resistance.

Q4. How long does anti-slip treatment last?
With correct cleaning and maintenance, anti-slip treatment can last 2–5 years, depending on traffic and environment.

Q5. Does anti-slip tile treatment change the look of my floor?
No. It works at the microscopic level, so floors remain visually the same — just safer and grippier.

Q6. What is Pendulum Slip Testing?
Pendulum Slip Testing is the official HSE-approved method to measure floor slip resistance. The test gives a score called PTV (Pendulum Test Value).

• 36+ PTV = Safe floor

• Below 36 = Slip risk

Slip Safety UK performs this test before and after treatment.

Q7. Can I use bleach or detergent to clean tiles?
Avoid them. They leave oily residue and make tiles more slippery. Use a neutral pH cleaner instead.

Q8. Does deep cleaning alone fix slippery tiles?
Deep cleaning removes oils and residue — and often improves grip immediately. However, for long-term slip prevention, anti-slip treatment may still be required.

Q9. Where is anti-slip tile treatment most commonly used?

• Restaurant kitchens

• Hotel washrooms

• Gym & pool changing rooms

• Retail & mall entrance areas

• Residential bathrooms

Any tile exposed to water, grease, moisture, or foot traffic benefits from treatment.

Q10. How long does the process take?
Most jobs take only a few hours. Businesses can walk on the floor the same day — no downtime required.