How to Keep Rugs From Sliding on Hardwood Floors
Rugs add warmth, texture, and affordability to hardwood floors, but a sliding rug can pose a safety risk. Discover how to keep your rugs in place while maintaining your home's elegant look!
There are several ways to keep rugs in place on hardwood floors, including rug grippers, silicone caulk, non-slip rug pads, Velcro anchors, double-sided tape, and hot glue. Among these, Velcro is the most effective option.
It is also important to maintain a clean rug! Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can build up on the underside of the rug, making it less effective at staying in place.
This article covers more than just preventing rugs from slipping—keep reading to learn more!
How to Keep Rugs From Sliding on Hardwood Floors
There are many long-term and short-term solutions to prevent the rug from sliding. Work with what matches your budget and is safe for your rug and hardwood floor; some may cause irreversible damage.
Silicone Caulk
Silicone caulk is one of the best ways to bond your rug to the floor. It's durable, so it's a great option for high-traffic areas. Silicone caulk is easy to install and affordable.
Before applying silicone caulk, clean your hardwood floor and allow it to dry completely. You can buy the clear or white option, squeeze it from its tube, or apply it with a caulk gun.
Apply strips or dots of caulk to the perimeter or edges of the rug's back and press it down on the floor. Ensure there are no wrinkles on the rug when pressing down because you won't be able to straighten it once the adhesive dries.
Don't walk on the rug for 24 hours for the adhesive to dry properly.
There are a few things to keep in mind when working with silicone caulk:
It can mar your rug or damage the floor if you use it excessively. Read the instructions and follow them religiously.
It leaves adhesive on the hardwood floor, which might be difficult to remove.
Don't use silicone caulk on your rugs if you move them regularly. The adhesive is strong and may bond rugs permanently to your floor, causing damage when you remove them.
Avoid using this adhesive on oriental and woven rugs if you intend to remove them in the future. The adhesive might pull the fibers, damaging your rugs.
A Non-slip Rug Pad (Anti-slip Rug Underlay)
Anti-slip rug pads are great options for large-area rugs. They come in varying sizes and thicknesses. If you have an oversized rug, you can custom-order an anti-slip rug underlay to fit it. Always order a non-slip rug pad 2 inches smaller than your rug.
Non-slip rug pads keep rugs in place and prevent their edges from curling, making cleaning and vacuuming easier. They also add cushioning, soundproof your floor, and make it more comfortable to walk on the rug.
A natural rubber non-slip rug pad for hardwood floors is better than a synthetic rubber pad because it grips well and doesn't have adhesives, so it cannot react with a hardwood floor or leave stains.
Plastic/PVC anti-slip rug pads damage hardwood floors when you remove the rug because they have a strong adhesive. They may also cause discoloration on hardwood floors or stick to themselves, leaving lumps at the bottom of your rug.
Velcro (Hook-And-Loop Anchors)
The best way to keep rugs in place on a hardwood floor is to use a hook-and-loop anchor. These anchors are easy to install and remove.
Velcro has a semi-permanent adhesive coating that keeps rugs from sliding on hardwood floors. It's multi-purpose, so you can use it to stop throw rugs from moving on the carpet. However, it is not ideal for runners and kitchen rugs that experience high foot traffic, as it can become loose.
To keep the rug in place, apply one side of the Velcro strip to the hardwood floor and the corresponding strip to the rug's back.
You can remove the Velcro when you want to reposition or clean an area rug on a hardwood floor.
Velcro strips are mostly used on small rugs. Use several Velcro strips to keep large rugs in place, not just on the four corners.
A Rug Gripper
Thoroughly clean the floor before using grippers so the adhesive can work, making the rug firm. Rug grippers are two-sided, usually 2 - 3 inches wide, and work fine on 4 by 6 feet long or smaller rugs. Rug grippers come in a roll.
They keep rugs in place and also prevent the edges from curling. They're multi-purpose, so you can use them on hardwood floors or carpets, but they're good for small-area rugs.
Apply the grippers directly on the hardwood floor in an outline or grid that will fit the edges or parameters of your rug.
The grippers are thin, so they don't create bumps, making it hard for visitors to notice.
Rug grippers are semi-permanent, so you may have to reapply them often.
Hot Glue
Before applying hot glue to your rugs, do a spot test. It can melt if the temperature is high. Hot glue works like silicone caulk but dries faster.
Apply several glue lines to the back of the rug, and after it dries, place it on the hardwood floor.
Keep Your Rug Clean
A clean rug provides better grip on a hardwood floor, reducing the chances of slipping and shifting. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can build up on the underside of the rug, making it less effective at staying in place. Regular cleaning removes these particles, allowing the rug's backing or rug pad to maintain better traction. Additionally, a clean rug is less likely to develop uneven wear or curled edges, which can contribute to tripping hazards. Schedule regular professional carpet cleaning for the rugs in your home.
Is There a Rug Tape for Hardwood Floors?
There are rug tapes for hardwood floors, but those with strong adhesives may ruin the floors or their finishes, especially if the rug is in a high-traffic area.
Silicone rug tapes keep rugs intact without damaging the hardwood floor. Synthetic rug tapes damage hardwood flooring because the sticky rubber rips off the wood finish.
What Rug Tape Won't Damage Hardwood Floors?
Rug tapes with a residue-free adhesive don't damage hardwood floors. They are also easy to remove, UV-resistant, weatherproof (-4°F to 176°F), and waterproof, so they can be used on patios and other outdoor areas.
The adhesive is on the side that bonds with the carpet's backside. It's activated once a seam iron is passed on the carpet. If the iron comes into contact with the adhesive, it could damage the floor.
Too much heat could also cause the adhesive to melt, making it slide off the rug tape and damaging the hardwood floor. Correctly installing the rug tape also helps prevent damage to the hardwood floor.
What Is the Best Backing for Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors?
The best backing for area rugs on hardwood floors is a natural rubber anti-slip pad.
Due to its lack of adhesive, the natural rubber anti-slip pad doesn't leave stains or react with the hardwood floor. It's also great because it grips well, making the slippery hardwood floor safe to walk on.
Felt rug pads are also great for backing area rugs because they do not contain adhesive that damages hardwood floors. They offer extra cushioning, making your area rug more comfortable to walk or sit on.
Felt rug pads also protect a hardwood floor from scratches.
Should You Put Something Under Rugs on Hardwood Floors?
While it may seem unnecessary to place something under rugs on hardwood floors, doing so is essential for safety. This makes it safe to walk barefoot on rugs without sliding.
Below are the advantages of putting something under rugs on hardwood floors:
Make rugs firm to prevent sliding on hardwood floors.
Absorbs most of the foot-traffic shock, increasing the lifespan of the rug due to minimal fiber crushing
It allows good airflow under the rugs, preventing moisture buildup that could damage the hardwood floor.
Waterproof padding protects hardwood floor from water damage
Makes vacuuming and cleaning easier because the rugs don't move around
Reduces the wear and tear of rugs
Rug padding prevents grime and dirt buildup beneath the rugs, preventing floor scratches.
Padding increases the rug's thickness, making it soundproof and more comfortable.
All rug pads are not made equal. Poor-quality pads scratch hardwood floors, while others interact with the hardwood finishes, permanently damaging your floor. Poor-quality dyed pads may cause staining or discoloration.
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Call 866-937-6739 to let us know what services you need, and we will provide you with a FREE quote!
