A freshly reglazed tub has a smooth, glossy finish, and many people ask the same thing afterwards: is it safe to step into now, and can a bath mat go on the new coating? Short answer: yes, a mat can be used, but not any mat, not at any time and not in any way. Below we go through where the feeling of slipperiness comes from and which non-slip options work for kids and older people without hurting the finish.
Can You Use a Bath Mat on a Reglazed Tub?
Yes, after the coating has fully dried. Take the mat out after you use the tub, and do not use one with suction cups. Their pull can damage any coating.
A fresh refinishing coat is a smooth glossy surface. By feel it is close to a new factory tub. It is no more slippery than new enamel. On the old tub the roughness came from wear and buildup, so the contrast after reglazing is noticeable, and people sometimes take it for "dangerous slipperiness."
Still, it can feel slippery. A good enamel finish is quite slippery, so take a bath or a shower with care. When a person is used to an old cast iron tub that was rough enough to scrape the heels, new quality enamel can be a hazard at first. This applies most of all to older people who do not keep their balance well. Here is what to do about it.
Safety agencies say the same in general terms. The CPSC home safety checklist for older consumers says tubs and showers need non-skid mats, abrasive strips or surfaces that are not slippery, plus at least one secure grab bar. The National Institute on Aging room-by-room fall prevention guide recommends nonskid mats or strips on surfaces that get wet.
Why Suction Cups Can Harm a New Finish
Most rubber tub mats hold on with suction cups. On a reglazed bathtub they trap standing water against the finish and can pull at it when the mat comes out.
- Do not leave suction cups stuck to the bottom. Water stays trapped under them against the finish.
- Do not tear the mat off with one pull. A sharp point force is one of the few everyday loads that can damage the coating. Peel it from an edge, cup by cup.
- The safer choice is a mat without suction cups, taken out and hung to dry after use.
The other rules for the first days are in our post-reglazing aftercare essentials guide.
Mats Without Suction Cups, Hung to Dry
The simplest, most affordable and handy way to "tame" a slippery tub is to lay a non-slip rubber or silicone mat on the bottom. It helps keep you from slipping and also gives a massage effect. Drain holes let water through and improve the grip even more. A reglazed tub mat should be made of a non-slip material and sized to cover the bottom.
If you go for a non slip bathtub mat without suction cups, the same care applies, only more so. A plain mat that slides around is more dangerous than a bare tub. Look for rubberized models that really cling to the surface.
Whatever the type, rinse the mat after each use and let it dry, hung over the side or on a rail rather than left lying in the tub. If it stays wet, mold starts, and it is hard to get out. How to wash the tub itself is covered in the right way to clean a reglazed surface.
Non-Slip Stickers and Strips: The Risk When Peeling Them Off
Non slip bathtub stickers for the bottom are a compromise between a mat and "nothing." Self-adhesive strips are another alternative. They are inexpensive, which is a big plus.
On a refinished surface there are two conditions:
- Stick them on only after the coating has fully dried, not on a fresh finish.
- Think ahead about removal. A sticker or a strip peeled off sharply puts the same point force on the coating as a suction cup torn off with a jerk. Lift the edge and pull slowly, without force.
If you are not sure the strips should stay for good, a removable mat is the easier choice.
Non-Slip Texture in the Coating
There is also an option that needs no mat and no stickers. We can add a fine non-slip texture to the top coat of a tub or shower pan. This is the "surface that is not slippery" from the CPSC list, built into the finish itself. It is decided at the time of the work, so it is worth asking about before a bathtub reglazing job starts or before a shower pan gets refinished.
Over time any tub can start to feel slippery, and usually the coating is not to blame. A film from soap and cleaners makes any surface slippery. Regular rinsing with warm water and a soft sponge solve it. If the surface has become rough rather than slippery, that is a different symptom.
A mat on a reglazed tub is fine once the finish has dried: take it out after use, never rip it off, and let it dry.
Grab Bars
A grab bar on the wall by the tub is fixed to the tile and does not touch the coating at all. Bars come vertical, horizontal and angled, and are mounted on the wall along the tub at a height and length set for the person who will use them. The person should be comfortable with it.
In a shower or by a tub, a vertical post at the entry and a horizontal bar along the wall to hold during washing work well together.
Important: never use towel bars or faucets as grab bars. They are not made for a person's weight and come out easily. Grab bars should be installed professionally, into a solid wall; if you rent, ask the landlord first.
Seniors and Kids
If there are children or older people in the house, a rubber mat on the bottom, a grab bar on the wall or stickers help with safety. A non slip bathtub mat for elderly use should hold firmly.
For older people
A bathroom is, sadly, not the simplest place in a home. Wet slippery tile, tight space, sharp corners are all unsafe, especially for older people, who can find it hard to keep their balance, and bones get more fragile with age. The good news is that trouble can be avoided, and it does not take a full remodel. Often safety is a matter of good organization and a few smart devices.
- A bath seat. It is the kind usually used when bathing people with disabilities or small children. Seats fix to the tub walls; pick one with soft pads that will not scratch the finish. They are made of strong moisture-resistant plastic that household cleaners do not break down. Some have a swivel and height adjustment.
- A step for the tub. Stepping over a high tub wall is close to an acrobatic trick. A tub step is a stable platform that cuts down how high the leg has to go.
- A thermostatic faucet. A sudden stream of very hot or ice-cold water can cause a sharp move and a loss of balance. A thermostatic valve, installed by a plumber, holds the set temperature.
- Clear paths. Make sure nothing stands between the door and the tub: buckets, laundry baskets, loose cords.
- Bright light. Dim bulbs do not always show puddles and the edges of steps. A small night light with a motion sensor helps too.
- Liquid soap in a wall dispenser is better than a slippery bar that keeps jumping out of the hands, and a shelf within reach saves bending and stretching.
Ask the person for advice. What is uncomfortable for them? What are they afraid of? Decisions made together take hold faster.
For kids
Kids' mats differ from adult ones in design. They are brighter and more colorful, often shaped like an animal or printed with cartoon motifs. Some have hand holes to make placing them easier. The same rules apply on a reglazed tub: put the mat on a clean, dry bottom and take it out after the bath.
When a Mat Can Go In After Reglazing
A mat, stickers or strips go in only after the coating has fully dried, never on a fresh finish. Drying and ventilation are covered in our guide to fumes, dry time and ventilation, and the common mistakes of the first days are in the do's and don'ts after reglazing.
We work across the five boroughs and nearby New Jersey, including tub reglazing in Kingsbridge, Bronx. If you want a non-slip texture in the new finish or have a question about a mat, send us a message here.
