3 Useful Ways to Stop Area Rugs From Sliding

So, you have finally found that fitting Area rug - a perfectly sized rug that complements the style, tone, design, paint color, and general décor of your living space.

You’ve seen that the rug matches your furniture, defines your sitting area, and harmonizes everything in the room so well it feels like the missing piece of your home décor puzzle.

But there's just one tiny setback, one that threatens to take all the excitement away – the rug is slippery and won't stop sliding around.

Besides being very annoying, rugs that slip and move around can cause accidents and pose a serious threat to your safety as well as that of others living in your apartment, especially if you have pets and little kids.

Not to worry. The truth is, most rug materials tend to move around on tiles, hardwood, marble floor, or in areas with high traffic if not well padded or held down by furniture. And more often, we pay so much attention to the beauty of an Area rug, its quality, and design, that we forget the rug’s back and other important features of rugs and the different floor types.

Before you get rid of your rug hurriedly, here are the best tricks to keep your rug from sliding around.

1. Use Rug Grippers to Keep It In Place

Rug grippers, also called carpet tape are rug holders used to keep rugs in place and prevent them from sliding and moving around. Anti-slip rug grips are strong plastic with a super-gluey substance on both sides, with one side designed to stick to the rug, while the other gums to the floor.

Like every other rug holder, rug grippers are made in different sizes and will fit different rug measurements or sizes. They also come in different designs. Some are made as stripes while others are shaped to fit into the corners of the rug.

Installation of this adhesive anti-slip rug grips is pretty easy and flexible as it allows you to hold the rug in places where it is needed most.

Simply get a pack of the rug grippers once you've identified the part of the rug that needs to be held down.

The two sides of the grippers have been labeled so you can easily identify the side that will be glued to the rug and floor respectively.

• Peel off the label and stick the part labeled "rug" to the edge of the rug and ensure it is well glued.
• Place the rug in its right position or wherever you want to place it.
• Peel off the other side of the gripper and stick it to the floor.
• Although, the rug gripper sticks instantly to the floor, push the rug down for a better grip on the floor.
• Repeat for the remaining edges of the rug.

 Rug grippers are super-stick and one of them can hold one edge of the rug effectively, but manufacturers often recommend two per edge for a better hold on the rug. Also, ensure to place the gripper on a dry clean floor or carpet.

Why You Should Use Rug Grippers to Prevent Sliding

Rug grippers have proven to be very efficient in keeping rugs stationary, stopping them from sliding or moving around. It also helps to prevent rugs’ edges from getting curled. Some of the benefits of using anti-slip rug holders include:

Ease of Vacuuming

Like every other rug holder, rug grippers help to keep the rug in a fixed position, making it easier for you to vacuum.

Versatility

Rug grippers are very effective and versatile. They can be used on almost every type of floor, including tiles, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, concrete, and even other carpets.

Cost-Efficient

Rug grippers are known to offer excellent value for money because they do their job pretty incredibly. They are usually sold for a modest price of less than $30 and can be used on multiple rugs since they come in packs

They are Reusable

Rug grippers are very durable and can be re-used, moved, and adjusted as needed without leaving any trace or residue behind.

2. Get a Rug Pad

Rug pads are the most common and effective materials used to prevent rugs from moving around and keeping them in one place. Anti-slip rug pads vary in quality, durability, thickness, size, and shape. They are suitable for use on hardwood, carpet, and marble floors. Are Rug Pads really useful?

Well, anti-slip rug pads help to absorb shock and reduce noise. Also, they can be trimmed to fit a rug or carpet size, making them a custom solution for moving carpets.

Some rug pads usually have a tacky side, while others are produced using non-slip materials to keep Area rugs in position and prevent them from sliding around. They are made with various materials and are sold at varied prices.

When purchasing a non-slip rug pad, make sure it is of high quality.  Budget rug pads such as the plastic rug pads have been considered to contain toxic chemicals that can react negatively with the hardwood finishes.

We recommend that the rug pad should be about an inch shorter than the rug on all sides. Once you've got the perfect non-slip rug pad size for your carpet, the installation of rug pads is quite easy and takes only a few minutes.

• First, put the rug pad in the area you intend to place your Area rug.
• While folded, place the Area rug on one end of the rug pad.
• Straighten up and adjust the sides until they are evenly placed.
• Unroll the Area rug gently to lie completely on the rug pad.

Why You Should Use Rug Pads to Prevent Sliding

Although the most obvious benefit of anti-slip rug pads is to prevent rugs from sliding and moving around on the floor, they also have some other benefits. These include:

Noise Reduction & Additional Comfort

Rug pads, in addition to their anti-slip feature, also help to provide extra comfort and sound absorption/noise reduction. However, the level of noise a rug pad absorbs depends hugely on its type and quality.

Floor Protection

A Rug's back is usually hard. It tends to damage, stain, or scratch the surface of hardwood floors. But, no-slip rug pads have a very gentle texture and provide an additional layer of protection to your flooring. 

Helps to Increase Rug's Lifespan

Rug pads do not only help to keep your rug in one place but also help to increase the lifespans by reducing friction.

Makes Rug Easier to Clean

You will find it easier to clean and vacuum your rug if you have a rug pad beneath it to keep it from sliding and moving around.

3. Anchor Your Rug to the Floor

Area rug anchors are another type of rug holder you can use to keep your rug in a position. Although they are best suited to smaller rugs, they can also help to prevent your rug from curling up on the edges.

Area rug anchors are usually attached to the floor with a Velcro surface, facing up. The underside of the rug is then anchored to the surface of the floor.

Rug anchors are preferred to rug grippers by most people because Velcro is stronger and more efficient in preventing rugs from sliding and moving around. It also offers a low-maintenance solution.

The Velcro system is designed to lock together and works best when it is continually pressed together. Walking, sitting, playing, or running on the rug and applying the weight pressure over time helps to make the bond even stronger.

Why You should Use Rug Anchors to Prevent Sliding

Rug anchors, just like other rug holders, have additional benefits aside from helping to keep your rug in place.

Ease of Installation and Removal

Rug anchors are pretty simple in their installation and removal. Once you have your Velcro rug anchor, simply remove the protective backing, stick it to your rug, and anchor it to the floor.

You can also easily remove the anchor whenever you want by simply peeling it off the rug and floor without leaving any traces behind.

Ease of Use

Area rug anchors always come pre-cut in multiple pieces and do not require much trimming or cutting if at all they need any. Still, you can trim them to fit the area where you want to anchor the rug.

Protects Your Floor

Rug anchors help protect your floor from getting damaged, scraped, or scratched by sand or dirt. Also, rug anchors are waterproof, non-porous, and keep moisture away.

 

Apart from being an elegant and beautiful piece, an Area rug should be safe for use. It should also maintain its position, irrespective of traffic. If you are having trouble achieving these, it is time to get either a rug pad, rug gripper, or rug anchor.