Let’s be honest — who is tired of having their rugs move, slide or roll up? Just like everyone else, you want your rugs to lay flush against your floors. But no matter what you try, nothing is working. Do not worry! Here are 8 ways to place rugs in your home to avoid sliding on the flooring.
Rug Pads
Simply because it works, using a rug pad is one of the most frequent ways to keep your rug in place. It’s also one of the most dependable ways to keep your rug in place while avoiding damage to your floors.
PVC, natural rubber, and felt are the most common materials used to make rug pads. Cheap rug pads, on the other hand, can destroy your floor since they include oils, glue, or poisonous chemicals that can react with the finish, so make sure the rug pads you’re obtaining are of good quality before you buy them.
Rubber rug pads are effective in keeping carpets from slipping, but they don’t always provide the level of comfort you desire. Felt pads, on the other hand, are usually thick, soundproof, and provide a nice, comforting underfoot feeling, even if they aren’t great at grasping. Felt-rubber rug pads combine the best of both worlds: natural rubber provides tremendous holding power to keep your rug in place, while felt provides cushioning and comfort.
Rubber waffle rug pads can be found online or in large merchants’ home furnishings or home improvement sections. The pads are tiny and are normally pre-cut to fit standard area rug sizes. They’re simple to put together, inexpensive, and help keep carpets in place on hard surfaces. They do not, however, offer much cushioning to the rug and rapidly lose their “gripping quality” as dust and dirt collect in the open grid pattern. Some floor finishes may be damaged as a result of them.
Rug Gripper or Rug Tape
The next options to help keep your rugs down are rug gripper tape or regular rug tape. Gripper tape is normally two to three inches wide and comes in a roll. The tape is laid down on the floor in a grid or outline that will fit around the rug’s edges. Rugs that are 4 feet by 6 feet or less work best. The gripper tape may be quickly removed from the floor and reinstalled, and the rug can be removed for simpler cleaning.
Carpet tape with two sides is available as a roll or pre-cut squares. Carpet tapes come in a variety of thicknesses and adhesive qualities. The most durable tape features an acrylic adhesive on both sides and is ideal for synthetic rugs such as polypropylene. Before you use carpet tape, make sure you read the instructions thoroughly to ensure you’re using the suitable sort of tape for the ground beneath the rug.
Caulking
Another great approach to keep your rugs from sliding or bunching up on your carpet is to use silicone caulk. However, we only recommend doing this with inexpensive carpets because the caulk has the potential to permanently damage your rug. Silicone caulk is simple to use; simply apply it to the edges of your area rug and draw a few lines across the center. Then, using a putty knife, flatten these beads so that the dry caulk doesn’t seem like a hard strip as you walk over your rug.
Allow the caulk to dry naturally (usually for at least 24 hours). When the carpet is dry, place your rug on top of it and allow the rubbery strips to hold your mat. The biggest disadvantage of using caulk to hold your rug in place is that when you remove it, you risk pulling at the carpet fibers, especially if you have a high-pile carpet. Furthermore, when removing your area rugs for cleaning, the fibers may pull away. As a note, you can also use hot glue.
Check with your flooring manufacturer before gluing anything to your floors to see how this chemical will interact with your floors. Also, be certain about where you’re going to put your rug because, after the glue sets, it’ll be a mission to remove it.
Rubberized Shelf Liner
A rug may be kept from slipping by using the same rubberized shelf liner that keeps your dishware and glasses in place. The liner is less expensive but much thinner than the more heavy-duty waffle rug pad. One disadvantage is that it is usually only available in 12-inch widths. The shelf liner strips can be taped, stitched, or glued together to make a bigger pad. The shelf liner, like the waffle rug pad, should be handled with caution because it might react with floor finishes, causing lasting damage.
Felt Pads
Felt rug pads come in various thicknesses and are often cut and sized to order. Felt cushions give a rug the most comfort and protect the fibers from damage. However, unless the rug is extremely large, they do not give much protection from slipping. The top-of-the-line pads are made of felt with a natural rubber backing that has been heat bonded to the felt. These are good for hardwood floors since they give excellent rug cushioning and the rubber’s gripping feature prevents sliding.
Anchor with Furniture
One of the best and easiest solutions to a wandering rug is to anchor huge carpets with furniture, although it takes some finesse. When anchoring a sliding rug with furniture, keep the rug’s attractiveness in mind. Maintaining the attractiveness of carpeting in your home should be your primary priority. Furniture like hefty sofas and upholstered chairs should be placed along the edges and corners of your area rugs. A heavy coffee table or ottoman, on the other hand, maybe placed in the center of your area rug. The mats are maintained in place while remaining visible in this manner. The side of your rug that isn’t anchored can still move or curl up at the corners, which is a huge disadvantage of utilizing furniture to keep it in place.
Velcro
Rug anchors, unlike grippers, have Velcro on the upper side. After that, adhere them to the rug’s bottom side. To avoid curling in the corners, Velcro is best utilized on small rugs. Velcro is a practical option that requires little upkeep. Walking on the rug puts pressure on the Velcro system, which holds it in place and strengthens the bond. Because it’s a relatively low-commitment solution, it’s perfect for those in short-term living circumstances like dorms or apartments. It won’t last long, and it won’t cost you a fortune.
Rug Pins
Rug pins can be used to secure the rug’s edges if it’s being placed over wall-to-wall carpeting. The pins are designed to secure the area rug to the carpet beneath it without piercing it. The pin’s top is flat and clear, so it’s less noticeable when it’s in place.
With these 8 ways, you will be able to keep your rugs from sliding and slipping. While Valor Home Services is not a rug company, we can help you with your flooring needs. If your floors incur any damages and sun-fading from your rugs or other issues, we can help. We can even help you install completely new floors. All you need to do to get started is give us a call.
