Sliding rugs are not only annoying, they can be a hazard that can result in trips and falls. This can be especially dangerous for anyone already injured, the elderly, and parents carrying their young children.
Luckily, there are various ways to help keep your rugs from sliding around when you step on them, or from bunching up and causing folds to tumble over. We’ve compiled some of the best ways to help keep your rugs in place so you can determine the best way to both stay safe and provide an aesthetically pleasing decor.
1. Synthetic Rubber Rug Pads
Synthetic rubber pads provide a waffle like texture that you can purchase pre-cut to fit under your rugs. These offer an even surface that grips to the bottom of your rugs to keep it in place. You do have to be careful with synthetic rubber on hardwood flooring, however, as it can end up sticking due to the adhesives added to the mat. Because of this, be sure to buy a good quality option.
2. Felt Rug Pads
Felt rug pads are a heavier, thicker, more high quality option that layer under your rugs to provide a textured surface your rug won’t slide upon. These are made with a blend of felted fibers and plastics to provide a more textured, grippy surface. These are especially nice to use on hardwood flooring, but work equally well over carpeting as well.
3. Natural Rubber Pads
Natural rubber pads that use natural latex and other natural rubber sources are an ideal choice as well for placement against wooden flooring to avoid any sticky residues. These are also found in mat forms or waffle like patterns to provide various degrees of grip. These also won’t degrade and dry out or crumble with time like synthetic versions will. Plus, since they do not have any chemicals in them they are more ecologically friendly.
4. Synthetic Rubber Shelf Liners
If you are looking for a budget friendly option, then you can make your own rubber mats from shelf liners. These come in rolls that you can cut to fit your rugs, or to place under the areas that cause the most trouble – such as corners, edges, or through the middle areas of runners, or large rugs.
5. Carpet Tape
Double-sided carpet tape is also a great way to secure your rugs when you don’t want a full mat placed underneath them, only needs to address edges and corners, or want to shy away from the added height or feel of another layer. This tape sticks to both the bottom of your rug and the surface you place it against. It is best for hardwood or vinyl flooring, but be aware it can leave behind a sticky residue. Since it can be cut to your desired lengths it is an easy way to customize the placement.
6. Gripper Tape
Gripper tape is similar to carpet tape, except for having a double sided stick, they have a sticky side – that you place against the bottom of the rug – and a rubberized side. The textured rubber side sets against the floor your rug rests upon, making it ideal for a wider range of surfaces that include both hardwood or vinyl flooring, as well as carpeting. Gripper tape can also be cut to length for a more customized need or just to solve issues with trouble spots.
7. Silicone Caulking
For a truly customized experience and a budget solution, invest in a few tubes of silicone caulking to create your own grippy bottom that is friendly to both hard surfaces and carpeting. All you need to do is turn your rub bottom side up and then make patterns across the bottom of the rug, the sides, and especially the corners. Most people prefer to avoid a straight line and make waves or waffle patterns to help maximize the coverage.
8. Hot Glue
Hot glue can work much in the same way as silicone caulking and is yet another inexpensive and easy way to customize your grippable areas. This is also a solution that doesn’t require a trip to the store if you already have all the materials on hand for a quick and fast fix. You just want to make sure you use a larger glue gun and the thicker glue sticks to lay down a wider strip to provide a durable surface that can stand up to movement.
9. Velcro Rug Anchors
Velcro rug anchors come in strips and are designed to be used with smooth, hard surfaces. They stick both to the floor and to the rug and you will need to match up each side in order to take advantage of the adjustable hook and loop velcro closure. This is an ideal option for when you need a more semi-permanent option since half the velcro will be stuck to the flooring, but still want to lift it for cleaning.
10. Rug Pins
Rug pins are a great way to secure your rugs quickly and efficiently. All you have to do it push them through the rug and against the angle the rug has been moving. These cannot be used with only hard floors underneath, however, and you have to use a rug pad of sorts or a carpet. They also leave a tab noticeable on the surface of the rug.
You may want to check out: Best Bedroom Rugs
Which Is Your Choice?
If you have been on the hunt for the means to keep your rugs in place, these are the answers you need. All provide excellent solutions, and when you need a quick fix or budget option, we have you covered. Stop adjusting your rugs and tripping over folds, and make a decision to help simplify your life and avoid walking hazards in your own home.
Photo credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock; Syda Productions/Shutterstock