5 Tips to Prevent Slippery Carpet Stairs

Stairs are one of those things in your home that you don’t think about when things are working properly. They serve their function—connecting the different floors of your home—and that’s about it. But when you’ve got slippery carpet stairs that keep you sliding along the entire route, chances are you want a solution—stat. Here are five tried-and-true tips and tricks on how to make carpeted stairs less slippery.

1. Add Non-Skid Treads

Slippery carpet stairs are so common that you can buy an off-the-shelf solution as soon as you start sliding: non-skid stair treads. You or a pro can easily install these treads, which are made of grippy plastic or rubber, over any carpeted stairs. They’ll instantly provide traction to keep you from slipping and sliding as you walk up and down your steps. You may be able to install some options without cutting or drilling, so the whole project could be done in just an hour or two.

2. Get the Carpet Professionally Cleaned

Sometimes, dirty carpet can be more slippery than freshly cleaned carpet. (Carpet that you’ve just installed may also be a bit slicker than an older rug that’s seen some use.) The detergent that your local carpet shampooer uses when cleaning your carpeted stairs might make them a little grippier. Either way, they’ll be nice and clean.

3. Skip the Socks

If your slippery carpet stairs are getting you down (literally), the solution might be as simple as taking off your socks and walking through the house barefoot. Socks can increase the slipperiness between your feet and the stairs by reducing the amount of traction, so taking them out of the equation might be an easy fix.

4. Try Non-Skid Slippers

Many people don’t want to wear shoes inside their homes for obvious reasons—think of all the dirt and germs you stand to track in from the world at large on your soles.

But if your carpet stairs are slippery enough that wearing socks and even going barefoot is treacherous, consider walking around in non-skid slippers whose sole function is to be used indoors. You might also try non-skid socks with grippy soles, which offer more traction than regular socks.

5. Remove the Carpet

It’s the most extreme solution, but if you’re in the market for some design changes in your home, you might consider removing the carpet entirely. A different material, like wood, marble, or even a grippier carpet replacement, might offer a less slippery stepping surface. 

Of course, having carpet removed and putting in new flooring is the most expensive of these tips, but it’s one that might put the slippery carpet stair problem to bed once and for all. So, if you’re interested, contact your local flooring company to get started and start budgeting for carpet installation costs ASAP.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Carpet?

The average cost to replace your carpet is $1,780, depending on the material and square footage required. Carpeting stairs is more labor-intensive than installing in a room, so homeowners can expect to pay a few dollars more per square foot. That can easily add up to $11 to $26 more per step.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIYers of all levels can take steps to fix slippery stairs. Many temporary solutions, including self-adhesive treads, anti-slip tape, or anti-slip spray, are do-it-yourself friendly. But remember, projects like these come with short-term results. 

Hiring a pro, however, ensures a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing solution, like installing custom stair runners or using professional-grade anti-slip treatments. Pros can also assess which solutions work best for your home, which is particularly helpful if you have pets and kids who may struggle with slipping. 

While hiring a pro is more expensive than DIY, consider it an investment in your abode that offers long-term safety and durability.