Why you need padding underneath an area rug
Prevents scratches from the area rug that can ruin your hardwood floors (as well as laminate and vinyls). Prolongs the floor's finish and avoids carpet bleed through.
What Can You Use Instead of a Rug Pad? If you're just looking for non slip grip, a simple fix to a runaway rug is to put a bead of silicone glue, hot glue, or caulking around the underside of the rug.
The way to prevent the rug from scratching your hardwood floor is by providing some pad or cushioning underneath the rug. The first type of pad you can get is a mesh style type that is made of extruded rubber. This type works really well in keeping the rug from moving an holds it up off the floor.
Rubber-backed rugs can damage your hardwood floors. The chemicals in the rubber can leave permanent marks on the floor or discolor the wood. The only way to safely use a rubber-backed rug on a hardwood floor is to put it over a safe-rug pad. Homeowners can tape the rug pad to the bottom of the rubber-backed area rug.
Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish. Don't rely on lemon juice or a vinegar-and-water solution to clean hardwood floors. "I don't recommend using vinegar or lemon juice, at least not in large quantities, as these can damage the floor's seal," said Wise.
A Popular Rug Pad With Gorilla Grip Technology
Boasting a 4.5-star overall rating after 32,000 reviews, this popular area rug pad is made for hardwood and other hard-surface floors and comes in lots of sizes, making it one of the most versatile options.
Use a Non-Slip Rug Pad
You can solve this issue with a non-slip rug pad. These thin, slightly sticky layers go beneath your area rugs to keep them in place. They protect your hardwood floor from damage as well as your family and guests from an accidental fall.
In addition to problems caused by the accumulation of moisture beneath the rug, the plasticizers in latex coating can migrate into the wood's finish and cause discoloration. It is generally unsafe to use latex, treated rubber, plastic and foam backing on any rug that comes into contact with finished hardwood floors.
Yes, our Rug Pads are designed using latex-free thermoplastic rubbers in order to be compatible with all common flooring materials. We do recommend periodically vacuuming or sweeping under your Rug Pad to prevent the build-up of dirt, dust, and moisture.
The rug pad should be about one inch less than your rug size on all four sides. So if the size of your rug size is 8'x10', then the rug pad size should be 7'10”x9'10”, a total of two inches less in each dimension, which is the same as one inch less on all four sides.
Yes, absolutely. A rug pad provides a protective barrier between your area rug and hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are generally slippery and if your area rug has a rubber backing, your house becomes a slipping hazard. That's why it's important that you install a high quality non slip rug pad.
We don't recommend using carpet padding for rugs or rug pads for carpeting because they serve slightly different purposes and won't offer the same benefits. If you're looking for the best rug pad for an area rug, check out our guide on choosing the right rug pad for your area rugs.
If you have a small studio, or a room that already has visual dividers, you might not want to use rugs to further chop up the space. By keeping the floor clear of rugs, the room may feel larger and airier. In Alexandra's Brooklyn studio apartment, a rug-less living area feels surprisingly spacious.
Acting as an extended buffer between your rug and the floor, a rug pad prevents the fibers of your rug from being crushed, and prolongs the life of your rug. Rug pads protect your floors.
Machine made rugs, as well as "hand-tufted" rugs, will most likely have a latex backing. There are also some alternatives to latex which we will cover below.
Latex-Backed Rugs
Latex and rubber are often referred to as if they are the same material, but they aren't. Latex is a synthetic liquid that contains chemicals known as plasticizers. Rugs are often backed with latex to create a slip-resistant, waterproof surface beneath the rug.
Jute. Jute is an extremely popular rug material. Its earthy tones make for a snappy companion to hardwood flooring and work well in foyers, mudrooms, and hallways. Since it's a natural fiber, jute also sports a budget-friendly price tag.
Yes, hardwood floors are beautiful, but leaving them as-is can lead to scratches, injuries, and more. Covering up the hardwood in your home is not only a good idea, but a necessary step for maintaining the quality of your flooring and the safety of your family.
The adhesive used in the manufacture of Rug Gripper is water-based, which makes it safe for use on all types of flooring. If there is ever a situation where any residue is left after the strips are removed, it can be easily cleaned with a citrus based cleaner or wood cleaner (for hardwood floors).
Pads should be one inch less than your rug on all sides to avoid peeking and raised corners. For a 9x12 carpet, a pad measuring 8'10″x11'10” is the best choice.
How to Remove Waffle Marks on Wood Floor With WD-40. When it comes to waffle marks on your floor, WD-40 is going to be your go-to. If you don't have WD-40 on hand, then you can use another type of spray lubricant. However, you want to make sure it's safe for use on your hardwood floor.
Water You Using to Clean Your Floors? You can safely use Swiffer products on hardwood floors. For a quick clean, try Swiffer WetJet Wood Starter Kit. With just the right amount of solution, it breaks up tough, sticky messes, brings out the natural beauty of your floors and won't damage them.
An alternative natural cleaning solution is warm water and dish soap (1/4 cup of dish washing liquid for a bucket of warm water). For spot cleaning needs, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and scrub with a sponge. To ensure the area is thoroughly clean, rinse with warm water and dry.