Hello all,

Please help! I have a nerve condition in my legs so I don't feel my feet very well. Right now, I have Ceramic tile, and in my last house I had linoleum flooring. In both houses I had the same problem: Any time the floor got even slightly wet, it became like an oil slick. I've slipped and fallen and broken my right knee twice now, most recently yesterday. I've never had flooring so slick as this ceramic tile! And we usually use a neutral cleaner that doesn't leave the residue. I also, last month, had Stanley Steemer out and they cleaned all the floor, so cleaner residue isn't the issue

We need to do something to keep me from slipping and falling constantly. I have dogs that come in, and kids who spill things, and I don't feel the water until I'm in it, then most of the time I slip and hit the floor hard. Are there any suggestions for good, durable flooring that will stand up to three small kids, cats, dogs, and won't get as slippery when wet? On Kitchen Crashers I saw this neat woven bamboo flooring... not strand woven but this looked like a bamboo mat, but it covered the whole floor?

Any help would be so welcome! We've got to do something!

~Renee

I would think the simple solution would be several mats in the higher traffic areas or frequently wet areas.

There are non-slip tiles available. Usually used in bathrooms bu t no reason you can't use in a kitchen, although style choices could be limited. However, this would be an expensive fix as it would require removing the existing tile floor.

I can't speak to the flooring question but I wonder if you've considered adding grab bars throughout the area so that at least you have something to grab onto.

That wouldn't be easy around a stove, but it would definitely help provide support around the walls and doors.

Is your oldest child of an age that he/she could accept a "special responsibility" to help take care of you by checking the floors for water before you work in the kitchen? If not, and even though it's not easy to remember to look at the floors every time you move in the kitchen, it might be something that has to be done.

Do you have any gripper socks? That might help as well. They're not foolproof, but they are designed to provide some traction.

And this may sound "far out", but you could also try getting some rosin used by ballet dancers. Their pointe shoes are dipped into it to provide traction. Place boxes at entries to the kitchen and dip your shoes into it before entering the kitchen.

I hope this doesn't sound insulting; it's not meant to be, but another suggestion is to get some PT for balance to strengthen your core and leg muscles to help avoid falling, or at least minimize the impact of a fall.


Hope this helps.

Kinda along the same lines as Jaybee...you can get some of those 24"x24" tiles that are used under gym equipment and lay them down in your kitchen. They interlock like a puzzle, so maybe your kids could help you lay them. They're not the prettiest, but they might work. Good luck.

NOthing is more slick that ceramic tile that is wet. I finally took mine out at the entry way because it was so dangerous.
I suggest you go to a flooring store (a real one) and talk with them. Let them know your issues. Understand that if it isn't slick, it may be harder to clean.