In this detailed guide, I will explain the best non slip bathtub treatment and how to make a bathtub less slippery! So these can basically be used as non slip tub solutions or non slip shower solutions for your bathroom.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there. One of them is that only older people slip and fall in the bathtub. The simple fact of the matter is that the combination of shampoo, soap, water, and smooth surfaces come together to form the perfect cocktail for an accident.
Your shower floor is one of the most dangerously slippery surfaces in your home. Even with the utmost care, one false step could send you flailing. So, it is imperative that you add in a few safety measures to prevent those slips and falls.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimate that millions of people in the United States alone suffer injuries that are related to slipping in the bathtub or shower every single year.
So, what steps can you take to make it less likely that you join those statistics? Here are four ways in particular that have proven to be quite effective.
How To Make A Bathtub Less Slippery (Non Slip Tub Or Shower Solutions)
- An Anti-Slip Shower Mat
This method is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive. It is also perhaps the most common method for making your bathtub and shower less slippery.
Best of all? Installing it is super easy and anyone can lay down a mat in their shower. You can find anti-slip shower mats just about anywhere, too. Walmart, Target, low-end discount stores, online; literally anywhere.
Keep in mind that it is not a guarantee that you won’t slip, but it provides a bit of extra grip to stand on. Even just substantially reducing the odds of a fall is a huge improvement over doing nothing at all.
Most shower mats are made from plastic, PVC, or vinyl. They will have suction cups of varying sizes on the underside that adhere to the floor of the tub.
That not only keeps the mat from sliding (and you with it) but provides a stable surface for you to stand on. Another cool thing about shower mats is that you can find them in just about any shape, color, or size that you can think of.
Regardless of what type of shower or tub (or design motif) that you have, you can find a bath mat that goes along with it. That said, there is a major downside to bath mats and that is the cleanliness.
Soap scum and moisture are prone to getting beneath the mat and in between the suction cups. Over time, that lingering moisture can lead to black stains, mildew, and even mold growth.
If you want to prevent those nasty things from happening, you will need to clean beneath the shower mat regularly.
That means pulling it up all the way, cleaning, and then laying it back down again. It’s not a major thing but it can be somewhat of an annoyance given how often it needs to be done.
The other downside is that, if not properly laid down, they can slip. There is nothing quite like stepping onto a shower mat that you think is secure only to go flying. When you clean beneath your mat, make sure that the cups properly suction again.
The last thing that you want is to step into the shower and unexpectedly slip when you thought you would be fine. Shower mats are a fine solution but have a few obvious downsides. Let’s take a look at some of the other alternatives.
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- Adhesive Treads
The concept here is the same but with a twist. Instead of having a huge shower mat, one that may have nasty black stains beneath it, you can always opt for anti-slip adhesive treads instead.
The idea is the same in that they provide a stable surface for you to stand on but without the large surface area that a bath mat has.
You might recognize these strips on public stairs to prevent slipping. That said, there are versions specifically designed for wet surfaces such as shower floors, pools, boat decks, and hot tubs.
The treads are basically just small strips of tape that have a sticky bottom. The bottom sticks to the floor of your shower or bathtub, and has a rough surface on the top that gives your feet the traction needed to prevent slipping and falling.
The benefits are pretty apparent. For one, you have a non-slip surface in your bathtub. Having sure footing is the surest way to prevent a nasty slip and fall from taking place.
On top of improving your traction, they are also very easy to install. You simply peel back the adhesive and stick the strips to the floor.
They are also quite affordable – comparable to shower mats – and they are nowhere near as noticeable as shower mats. The good news is that you don’t have to remove them, either.
Since they are attached to the floor with adhesive strips, it is difficult for moisture to get underneath. You don’t have to worry about cleaning beneath these adhesive strips on a regular basis.
Like the shower mats, there are downsides to using the adhesive strips. For one, they can be a bit of a pain to install. You may find that one strip is slightly crooked, the other is installed in a slightly different position, and so on.
Not only that, but they can start to peel after a few uses depending on which ones that you get. It is important that you clean your shower floor and dry it completely before installing.
Make sure that, while installing, you roll each of the treads out and get any air bubbles or bumps out as well. If they are not completely flat, water can get underneath, which makes them lose their adhesiveness and begin to peel up.
Some of the treads can be a little rough on the feet as well. Bath mats are generally pretty comfortable but you may not find the feel of the adhesive treads to be all that welcoming.
Make sure you check out the reviews first before buying any adhesive treads. The added bonus here is that you can add as few or as many of the strips as you want. Bath mats come in the same sizes; adhesive strips are completely up to you.
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- Best Non Slip Bathtub Treatment
If the prospect of standing on a bath mat or some strips is not the most appealing in the world, there is another solution. There are liquid-based coatings with anti-slip formulas that you can put right on the floor of your shower.
When applied correctly, they give your shower floor permanent traction. These anti-slip formulas are great if you don’t like the look or feel of a bath mat or adhesive strips.
There is no worry about moving or peeling, either. The good news is that you can install them relatively easily as well. It depends on which brand that you get, but the steps are basically the same.
You first need to wash the shower floor completely and give it time to completely dry. Mark off the area of the tub or shower where you want the formula to go; a rectangular shape is the most common but you can get creative with it if you want.
You can also copy from the adhesive strip idea and lay down alternative strips. This way, there are alternating strips of adhesive space and smooth space.
When you are ready, pour the formula into your marked off area. Most of these formulas will have a roller included. You need to use the roller to spread the formula out evenly across the shower or bathtub floor.
Make sure that you cover the taped off area completely with the formula. The product should specify that you will need a few hours at the very least to allow it to dry.
Most of them recommend somewhere in the five-hour neighborhood. Add in a few more hours just to be safe since most of these products dry clear and you can’t really visually tell if it is dry or not.
This is a simple, inexpensive solution that doesn’t require any additional maintenance or upkeep. They don’t have a negative impact on the shower or its appearance and you don’t have to worry about peeling or cleaning nasty black spots from the underside.
There are two downsides to using the anti-slip coating. The first is that it takes more time and effort to install versus the other two options.
That’s not to say that it is a major project, but bath mats and adhesive strips can simply be laid down and are then done with. It will take time to coat the area in question and allow for time to properly dry.
The second is that you can potentially peel the coating depending on what chemicals you use to clean the bathtub. If you use particularly harsh chemicals, something such as bleach, or use a particularly abrasive sponge, you may damage the coating.
Make sure that you clean your tub using an all-purpose bathroom cleaner and a plain sponge. You don’t want to undo the installation during the cleaning process, after all.
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- Grab Bar
This is probably the least ideal method for more than a few reasons. For starters, even having the bar in place, you would want to have some kind of anti-slip protection in place.
The bar is there to catch yourself but you want to avoid the need to catch yourself altogether if possible. Shower bars can vary in complexity and installation time depending on what you get.
You can find one with a couple of powerful suction cups relatively easily and inexpensively on sites such as Amazon, for instance. These are pretty easy to install, simply sticking to the wall and pushing down the levers.
That means you can remove them whenever you want easily. There are also more heavy duty installations. These are permanent installations. Some are relatively easy to install, others require anchoring them right into the wall itself.
Depending on your confidence and skill level, you may be able to perform the installation yourself. The grab bar probably is not an attractive option.
Moreover, it is meant to serve as a last resort. After all, no one wants to have to grab onto the handle the entire time that they use the shower.
It is there in case you do slip and defeating the problem before it becomes a problem is the best solution available. The good news is that, in the event that you do slip, you can catch yourself.
These grab bars tend to be quite sturdy and can support most weights. Having that backup plan in place can provide peace of mind that a shower mat or adhesive strips simply cannot.
How Can You Prevent Slips?
Let’s get one thing clear from the jump. Slips can and will happen. They are called accidents for a reason. Even with the best of preparations, you could find yourself staring up at the ceiling.
But having these anti-slip tools in place significantly lessens your chances of slipping and falling. Having a combination of methods is probably the best bet.
A bath mat, adhesive strips, or anti-slip spray would probably be best complimented by a grab bar. The first three are meant to prevent falls from happening, but they still happen.
With the grab bar in place, at least you have something to grab at in the event that a slip happens. Preventing slips and falls takes patience and work. While using the shower or tub, try not to make quick, sudden movements.
Those are more often than not the types of instances where falls are most likely to occur. When using mats, make sure that you clean the area underneath thoroughly every couple of weeks or once a month.
When you put the mat back, make sure that the suction cups adhere properly. Slipping on what you thought to be a secure bath mat can take anyone by surprise.
Ultimately, there is only so much that can be done. But by having these steps in place, you can drastically reduce the odds of a slip and fall.
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Hello, my name is David Zal and I’m a plumber with more than 20 years of experience based in Englewood (Florida). I like to teach normal people how to make easy fixes in their homes. I believe that a lot can be achieved just with DYI and that’s why I started this blog.