How to treat your floors to prevent slipping
I have an industrial steel and concrete staircase in my house and I am replacing it with one made from tulipwood. It needs to be completely non-slip as I am a 73-year-old widow living alone and cannot risk falling on it. The staircase comes with a minimum finish, but the rest is up to me.
I don't want to paint the staircase because I'd like the colour and grain of the wood to show. I have tried to find a seriously non-slip varnish but they do not seem to exist. The option I've been given is to use a clear varnish (I've bought Blackfriar Quick Drying Floor Varnish) and then spray it with a non-slip finish such as Rust-Oleum SuperGrip.
Is there one product that would do the whole job? I have a limited budget and I don't want to pay twice for the two finishes if I don't need to. Many thanks for your help.Dee French
Your new tulipwood staircase sounds great, and I completely understand your concern. The good news is that there are products designed exactly for your situation. One we often recommend is Osmo Polyx-Oil Anti-Slip, which is a clear hardwax oil that protects the wood while allowing the natural grain and tone to shine through. It comes in two grades of slip resistance and is used widely on interior wooden stairs and floors.
It's easy to apply, long-lasting and doesn't require a second product, so it should suit your budget better than the two-step option you mention.
If you're looking for something even grippier, there's an industrial-grade product called Tuff Grip. However, it has a more textured finish and may obscure some of the wood's natural beauty, so it's a bit of a trade-off. I hope this helps, and I'd love to hear how the staircase turns out.
• Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement
We have had the idea of covering our patio and part of the adjoining wall with blue and white tiles to give a bit of a Spanish feel. We're worried about slipping. What type of tile would be recommended?George Luke
This sounds like a great plan. Look for textured porcelain tiles with an anti-slip rating of R11 or higher. Porcelain is tough, weather-resistant and ideal for outdoor use; ceramic tiles, while more affordable, are generally better suited to walls or sheltered areas because they're less durable in frost and heavy rain.
Many tile suppliers sell decorative porcelain ranges inspired by Spanish or Mediterranean patterns, often with non-slip finishes. Natural stone can be a lovely option, but it's rare to find it in those vivid colours.
A word of warning on installation: patios need proper sub-base preparation, a fall for drainage (to keep water away from the house) and a frost-proof adhesive. Getting this wrong leads to cracked or loose tiles, which can be costly to fix. It's well worth getting a professional to do the groundwork.
I hope your patio turns out beautifully — and is slip-free.Adda Birch Reynardson is the co-founder of Adda Home Solutions
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Spray on a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, leave for a few minutes, then clean off with a soft brush and wipe with a cloth.Sheila Taylor, Sussex
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I wipe the seal with Dettol and dry it after each use. If you're not already doing so, leave the laundry drawer and door open after each wash to avoid trapping warm water, which encourages bacteria and mould growth. And keep the machine clean and disinfected with a hot (min 60C), empty maintenance wash every month and Dr Beckmann Washing Machine Cleaner to keep mould at bay and ensure the machine is running well.SB
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