How to prevent rug damage by XBOX Dance Central 2 players?
January 23, 2012 12:51 PM   Subscribe

I have a fantastic wool rug that sits in my living room. What's the best way to protect it from enthusiastic dancers who play Dance Central 2 on my XBOX Kinect? It's starting to bald, and I need to extend its life!

I have a large 8x10 wool rug I love dearly, that I paid a decent amount for and would love to keep for a while. It's current home is in my living room, under all the furniture and in front of the TV stand.

Several months ago, I purchased an XBOX Kinect, as well as Dance Central 2 and a number of other games. I've discovered that after a rigorous game of Dance Central, tufts of my wool rug start coming up. I'd love to keep the rug where it is (since moving an 8x10 rug is quite a pain), but I need to quickly find a solution to preventing damage. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll be left with unsightly bald spots on my rug.

Any solution that you've found helpful? I've searched online, but haven't found any appropriate products that could help me with my problem. Would appreciate any help the community can give - thanks!
posted by akka to Home & Garden (8 answers total)
 
Move the television to another room?
posted by zomg at 12:52 PM on January 23, 2012


Response by poster: @zomg: I live in a NYC apartment with limited space, so that's the only place I can put my TV (and have a sofa).
posted by akka at 12:55 PM on January 23, 2012


What if you bought one of those plastic mats with little teeth on the bottom that people use under desk chairs? Like this?
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 12:59 PM on January 23, 2012


Kevin Kelly says Carpet Film.
posted by noahv at 1:04 PM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]


Best answer: If the carpet is sitting on the bare floor, the tufts are getting cut on the back by the game action. What you need is a carpet pad between the rug and the floor.

Easy way - make sure the rug pad is rolled up the long way, in other words, the roll should be 10 feet long. Move your furniture off the rug, and roll it up the long way also. Unroll the carpet pad, then unroll the carpet onto it. Replace furniture.

The thicker the pad, the longer the wear. You may also wish to turn the rug while you have it rolled up so that you get even wear. Not easy, but easier if it is rolled up.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 1:34 PM on January 23, 2012


What about Yoga mats, or foam tiles?
posted by zen_spider at 1:37 PM on January 23, 2012


Best answer: The carpet pad under the carpet (mentioned above) is one good step. You could also buy a cheap and small area rug that you put down when the Dance Central fun begins and roll up and stick under a sofa or something afterwards.
posted by yoink at 1:47 PM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: @burhanistan: yup, no-shoes-allowed apartment (nyc sidewalks are dirty)

I ended up buying a thicker carpet pad and a canvas drop cloth (as a cheap alternative to another area rug) yesterday to see how they might work - thanks for all the advice, everyone!
posted by akka at 9:49 AM on January 24, 2012


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