Make decking less slippery

Clean, treat and grip-strip your decking so it stays safe underfoot in wet or icy weather.

SL-01Check the weather and clear the deckPick a dry spell with at least two dry days ahead, and a temperature above 10°C if you're using oil or paint. Move pots, furniture and rugs off the deck. Sweep off loose leaves, moss and grit with a stiff broom.

1 each · Stiff outdoor broom

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SL-02Deep clean the boardsMix a decking cleaner with water and scrub along the grain, working on the algae and green mould that make decking slippery in the first place. Rinse well with a hose or pressure washer on a low setting, holding it well back so you don't gouge the wood. Let the deck dry fully for 24–48 hours before doing anything else.

1 each · Decking cleaner (2.5L)

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1 each · Stiff scrubbing brush

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SL-03Choose your anti-slip methodFor an all-over fix, use an anti-slip decking oil or stain with grit already mixed in — it colours the wood and adds grip in one go. For steps, ramps or a few worn spots, self-adhesive anti-slip strips or grit tape are faster and need no drying time before use elsewhere on the deck. You can combine both: oil the main deck and strip the steps.

SL-04Apply anti-slip decking oilStir the tin well, since the grit settles. Brush or roller it on along the length of the boards, working in the shade if possible so it doesn't dry too fast. Two thin coats grip better than one thick one — check the tin for recoat time, usually 4–6 hours.

1 each · Anti-slip decking oil with grit (2.5L)

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1 each · Decking brush or roller

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1 each · Paint tray

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SL-05Fit anti-slip strips on steps and hotspotsCut strips to width and stick them onto clean, dry boards, pressing firmly along the whole length so the edges don't lift. If a strip needs screwing down for extra grip on a step edge, check first for any low-voltage garden lighting cable clipped under the board — these run along joists and are easy to miss. If you're not sure a cable is clear, lift the board or reroute the strip rather than drilling blind.

1 pack · Anti-slip decking strips (pack of 4)

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8 each · Stainless steel screws 25mm

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SL-06Leave to cure before useKeep foot traffic and furniture off the treated area for the time stated on the tin, usually 24–48 hours for oil. Adhesive strips grip straight away but bond fully after about 24 hours, so avoid heavy scrubbing or hosing them in the first day.

SL-07Clean up and dispose of waste properlyWash brushes and rollers in water if you used a water-based oil, or with the manufacturer's cleaner if solvent-based. Let any rags or brushes with oil on them dry outdoors before binning, as oily rags can smoulder in a sealed bag. Take leftover cleaner or oil to a household recycling centre if you won't use it again — don't pour it down a drain.

4 each · Disposable rags

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