How to Stop a Rug from Slipping on a Hard Floor

A well placed designer rug can really tie a room together.

But if your rug is sitting on a hard, smooth floor, like a timber or tiled floor, rug slippage can become a real problem. Besides the hassle of having to constantly straighten the rug and the furniture, rug movement can knock over furniture, cause spills and even lead to trips and falls and potential injuries.

So, how do you stop a rug from slipping on a hard floor? Well, there are some simple ways.

Rubber Pad or Mat

Rug pads or underlays are non-slip rubber or plastic mats designed to sit between the floor and the underside of your rug. They are readily available from carpet stores, hardware stores or department stores in a range of materials and styles.

Besides purpose designed rug mats, you can use rubber shelf lining and cut it to suit your rug. As this lining isn’t specifically designed for rugs though, it’s best to only use this method with smaller, lightweight rugs.

The extent to which these rug mats work depends largely on the type of mat you get and your floor surface. You might need to try a few different mats until you find one that works for you.

There are also some downsides to these rubber underlays that you should be aware of. Some mats use an adhesive coating, which can damage your floor or the underside of your rug over time. Some adhesives can end up leaving a sticky residue on the floor that can be difficult to remove and can even permanently discolour some floor surfaces.

If the underlay is made with PVC, it can bond with some floor sealants and end up stuck to the floor.

To avoid these issues, look for non-slip rug pads made from natural rubber without any adhesives.

Rug Tape

Specially designed rug tape is another option. This double-sided tape attaches to the underside of the rug and then to your floor, securing the rug and keeping it from moving.

If you intend to use this method, make sure you purchase a tape that is suitable for both your floor and rug. The fibres of some rugs can be damaged by rug tape, particularly hand-knotted rugs.

Depending on your flooring, you may not want to use these adhesives as they may damage the finish or leave a sticky residue.

Replace Your Rug

This is a more extreme option but if the previous methods haven’t worked, it might be worth upgrading your rug. Often it’s the cheap, lightweight and small rugs that are the most prone to slipping.

If it’s within your budget, you could consider upgrading to a high quality rug that’s heavier or larger. You could also look at a rug that is made with its own rubber backings. These backings work the same way as rug mats, but they are fixed to the rug, so they won’t damage the fibres.

If your existing rug has a rubber backing, but it’s still sliding, then the rubber may have hardened or deteriorated. This can happen as the rug ages. Also have a look on difference between persian and oriental rugs.

If your rug has rubber backing, you should only wash it with cold water and to allow it to dry in the shade. Continued exposure to high temperatures can cause rubber to deteriorate more rapidly.

With these three strategies, there’s no need for your rug to slip and slide on your hard floors. Take into consideration your rug and floor as you look at the products available. You can even speak to a rug expert to get their suggestions.