What kind of rug pad should we get?
February 22, 2020 1:28 PM   Subscribe

What kind of rug pad should we get for our new rug? It should hold the rug in place well and not damage the wood floor underneath, and preferably be on the thin side (less than 1/4" thick). The rug is woven wool (so wool on the bottom; no backing). Some questions on the options I've seen are below.

I think I can rule out the type that is like a fine net coated with a white rubbery material, as it sounds like the rubbery material tends to bond with the floor (but let me know if you've had a different, better experience with it).

There's one type that is smaller thin squares that you can attach to the rug corners; the squares kind of suction to the floor and lightly adhere to the rug. This seems good except that I don't like that the squares essentially permanently bond to the rug. I'd like this type if the squares come off easily, without leaving any adhesive or marks on the rug so I can flip the rug over, and then re-adhere to the rug again. Anyone know if they can do that?

Finally, there's the common felt pad type. This seems the most promising. I'd just like to confirm, from peoples' experiences, that this type won't leave marks on the floor, or disintegrate, or have other problems. Such as this kind, which has a "Jet Black natural rubber" backing. Does that rubber ever leave marks on the floor? I think latex is used as a grippy coating on a lot of other ones of this type.
posted by Mechitar to Home & Garden (2 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
I use the felt and rubber or silicone. The rubber and felt are fine as long as they are good high quality ones (don't buy the cheapos off the internet, they will leave a residue on your floor). I prefer the felt and silicone though they are hard to find. It's inert so no risk of damage to the floor and the pads are thinner.
posted by fshgrl at 2:35 PM on February 22, 2020


I have two of the exact pad you link to, one under a wool flat weave rug, one under a silk rag rug. Three years in, both are in great shape and neither had marked the wood floor. They’re also really nice to walk on.
posted by minervous at 5:15 PM on February 22, 2020


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