Rugs that move around on the floor can be a safety hazard, as well as an eyesore. It's incredibly frustrating when you spend time and money picking out the perfect rug, only to have it constantly sliding across the floor.
But you can easily solve this problem. Use one of these methods to keep your rugs from sliding across the floor:
1. Use a Rug Pad
A rug pad is a great, cheap way to ensure that your rugs stay put. A rug pad will help hold down the edges of your rug and prevent it from sliding. There are also special pads for carpeted surfaces that keep rugs in place by providing traction between the floor and the bottom of the rug. These aren't necessary unless you're keeping your rugs on the floor of an area with tile, wood, or any other surface where they tend to move around.
Rug pads are typically PVC, natural fiber, or felt. However, cheap rug pads can ruin your floor as they contain oils, adhesives, or toxic chemicals that can react with the finish, so it's important to vet the quality of rug pads you're getting before making a purchase. Rug pads also come in varying thickness and durability, making them convenient for carpets, hardwood floors, and marble floors.
Pros of Using Rug Pads
- It makes cleaning and vacuuming your rug easier
- Enhances your rug's soundproofing ability
- Protects your floor from scratches, scuffs, damage, and staining from rug dyes
- Keeping your rugs from sliding not only protects your floors but also promotes longevity for the life of your rug.
Cons
- Cheap plastic rug pads can harm your hardwood floor
- Felt rug pads lack good gripping power
2. Help Your Rug Get Grip Using Rug Gripper or Rug Tape
Rugs naturally want to move around. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp are likely to slip on the floor. Using rugs with extra gripping power in their fiber construction to solve this problem.
Rug gripper or carpet tape can help grip your rug and prevent the rug from sliding. Installing this double-sided adhesive product is easy and allows you to direct the rug gripper where it's most needed. Identify the problem areas and apply the strips along the edges, on the corners, or wherever they're needed.
Rug tape comes in different designs and sizes to fit different rugs. But, unlike a rug pad, rug tape doesn't add cushioning to the rug, protect flooring, or extend the life of your flooring.
Pros of Using Rug Gripper
- It can be used on various floors like tile, hardwood, and even carpet
- It's affordable and offered in sets with several pieces, giving you enough for more than one rug
- It grips the rug and keeps it stationary, making it easy to clean and vacuum
- You can adjust and move the gripper to a different position without losing its grip
Cons
- Rug gripper may not work well on concrete floors
- It doesn't add cushioning to the area rug
3. Use Silicone Caulk to Create Self-Stick, Rug Gripper Tiles
A quick and easy way to keep your rug in place without purchasing expensive items is to use an alternative item you may already have at home. You can easily make self-stick tiles with silicone caulk that will grip your rug and keep it stationary on the floor. When finished, peel up the tiles and wash them to clean.
Silicone caulking or hot glue are adhesives you apply on the rug's underside. Before gluing anything to your floors, check with your flooring manufacturer about how this particular substance might interact with yours. Here are the instructions for silicone caulking:
Apply the caulking on the edges every 3 inches. Flatten the caulking bead with a putty knife from getting too thick and create a large surface area for adhesion.
You should apply it on a clean, dry, and mold-free surface. Damp surfaces and moisture leaks can prevent the glue from adhering.
Silicone caulk takes about 24 hours to fully cure. So ensure you allow time before placing the rug on the floor. The dried glue will have a rubber texture and added grip when it's done, preventing the rug from moving.
Pros of Using Caulking Silicone
- It's simple and easy to install
- It provides proper anchorage to reduce skids and falls
Cons
- Glue pulls your rug's fibers and can destroy them.
4. Use Velcro
Velcro works best when used on small rugs to prevent curling corners. This is also a workable solution that requires low maintenance. Rug anchors are also an effective way of creating a safer walking environment around your rug. Unlike grippers, anchors usually adhere to the floor with a Velcro surface facing up. The Velcro side is then used to anchor the underside of the rug to the floor surface.
Some people prefer to use rug anchors as a simple way to keep a rug from moving because Velcro is a strong, low-maintenance solution. By design, the Velcro system locks together and works effectively when it's pressed together.
Pros of Rug Anchors
- They're designed to prevent dirt and sand from scratching and scraping your floors.
- They also have a non porous, waterproof design that helps keep moisture damage at bay.
- Rug anchor also comes pre-cut, making it a better fit and keeping your rug from moving.
- Easy installation and removal
Cons
- Rug anchor isn't effective for large rugs
5. Use Felt Pads for Area Rugs
Using felt pads is a simple way to keep your area rugs from moving. In the case of carpets, you have two separate pieces that work together to lock down the carpet and reduce slippage. Felt pads are good insulators and provide a soft cushion and protective backing.
Pros
- Prevents slippage on large area rugs
- Some felt pads include a rubber backing for added gripping
- They're ideal for hardwood floors because of their exceptional cushioning to the rug and the gripping quality of the rubber to prevent slipping.
Use Double Sided Carpet Tape
Using double sided carpet tape is another way to keep your area rugs from moving. Its high-quality adhesive creates a permanent bond between the rug and floor. But one of the best things about it is how easily it can be removed if necessary without damaging either surface or leaving behind any residue.
Pros
- It has the most durable acrylic adhesive on both sides
- It works well for rugs made from synthetic materials like polypropylene
- Carpet tapes can be found in varying thickness and adhesive quality
Cons
- Depending on the thickness of the tape, it may be visible
- The adhesive is permanent, so if you need to remove it, it will damage your rug
Tips for Keeping Rugs from Sliding
Most of the time, the right solution for preventing your rug from slipping depends on the specific needs of your interior, the size and the type of rug you have, and the kind of use it will receive. Also, learning how to buy a carpet, there are certain factors you need to consider. Here are some of the tips you should consider:
Adhere Silicone Caulk or Tape to the Rug Directly
When applying silicone caulk or tape, it's best to adhere it to the rug. This will ensure that you have it correctly spaced to the rug's exact dimensions and avoid any unwanted reaction between the adhesive and the floor surface.
Use a Hot Glue Gun to Fix the Rug in Place
If you're not planning on moving your rug but want to ensure it doesn't move when there's a strong push from the back, use a hot glue gun and attach it straight to the floor surface. Before using a hot glue gun on your rug, ensure the excess heat won't damage your rug's fibers.
Identify High Traffic Areas
Use high-quality materials that are long-lasting in the highest traffic areas in your home, including hallways, entryways, and other popular rooms.
Properly Clean a Carpet or Rug
You need to protect your quality rugs from damage. Ensure that you have the right cleaning supplies, including a good vacuum cleaner, so that you aren't leaving any dirt or other residue on top of your rug. A rubber pad is a great option and provides excellent adherence that won't react with wood floors or laminate floors. Make sure you know how to clean your carpet before making any purchase.
FAQs on Ways to Keep Your Rugs from Sliding
How can you keep rugs from slipping on tile?
Like laminate, tiled flooring is very slippery. Use a non slip rug pad made from natural rubber and felt silicone caulk to keep your rugs from slipping.
How do you keep bathroom rugs from slipping?
Because bathrooms are generally wetter than other areas of the home, use a waterproof solution, such as a waterproof rug pad or silicone caulking.
Final Thought on Ways to Keep Your Rugs from Sliding
Once you recognize that your rug is sliding, it's important to find a way to keep it from moving to prevent possible injury. With these helpful tools, your rug will be secure, and you can enjoy having guests without the worry of them slipping.
