Why Do Rugs Move on Carpet or Wood Floors?
Even the highest quality, most beautiful authentic Moroccan rug may experience some movement and sliding on hard floors or carpet surfaces with foot traffic.
The reason your rug is slipping on wood or hard flooring is because these smooth and polished surfaces offer little grip. Rugs moving on soft carpet flooring happen because the rug moves with the carpet's pile. A rug placed on a long pile carpet will move more than a rug on a dense pile carpet.
It doesn't matter if you have the perfect size rug for your room or whether it sits on carpet or hard floors; you may still need to take steps to prevent your rug from moving.
So let's take a look at some ways to stop rugs slipping.
How to Stop Rugs Moving on Carpet
Stop rugs from moving on carpet by using non-slip rug pads, double-sided carpet tape, or rug grippers. Place the pad or tape beneath the rug to create friction and secure it. Furniture or heavy objects can also help anchor rugs in place.
Let's take a look at 4 different ways to stop rugs from moving on carpet and keep in mind that some of these methods may be useful when you want to flatten your Moroccan rug.
1. Use a Rug Pad
A rubber rug pad is a non slip underlay which is easily cut to various sizes making it the perfect solution for any size rug, from door mat to area rug or runner rug. Simply place the thin, non slip underlay underneath your rug; the bottom of the pad grips to the carpet pile and the top of the rug pad grips the rug and provides a secure, non slip surface.
They come in a few different materials, to stop rugs moving on carpet look for a rug pad made from pvc.
2. Use Double-Sided Rug Tape
Double sided carpet tape works by sticking to the underside of your rug and the carpet it sits on. It's a quick and easy way to secure your rug or carpet and stop it from moving around. It's also simple to install in any room, and the tape can be removed without leaving any adhesive residue, glue or damaging the flooring.
To apply the double sided tape, simply cut the tape to the desired size, remove the backing from one side and press firmly to the underside of your rug. Next, position your rug, remove the final layer of backing paper from the tape and press the rug tape into the carpet. Et voila, your rug is now secure.
3. Apply Caulk to the Underside of the Rug
For this method, a thin line of silicon is applied to the underside of the rug to provide extra grip. For a large rug like an area rug, apply the silicon in a linear or grid like pattern to the entire surface. For a smaller rug like door mats, or a runner, the silicon can be applied to edges.
4. Anchor the Rug with Furniture
A great way to stop rugs from moving on carpet is to anchor it down by placing heavy furniture on top. This is an effective way to stop large area rugs from slipping as you can place things like couches, armchairs or coffee tables on top which will prevent any movement.
How to Stop Rugs Moving on Wood Floors
Rugs that slip, bunch and twist on hard flooring are best avoided; luckily there are a number of specific solutions to prevent rugs from slipping on wood floors. Wood surfaces are hard and smooth compared to textured soft carpet that has piles; therefore, wood floors require different anti slip measures to stop rugs from moving. Things like a gripper mat or a rubber underlay offer a practical and safe solution underneath your rug. But what's the difference and which anti-slip tips will work best for your floor?
1. Use Non-Slip Rug Pads
Non-slip rug pads specifically made for wood floors are often made from rubber or felt and are a great way to stop rugs from sliding. These non-slip mats provide grip in a room with wood floors, tiled floor or vinyl flooring. They are specifically designed to prevent movement on these surfaces whilst also protecting the floor and its finish from any damage.
2. Furniture to Anchor the Rug
Just as with a rug on carpet, furniture can be paced on top of a rug to keep it from sliding and slipping on hard floors or in high traffic areas.
3. Try Rug Gripper Tape for Wood Floors
Rug grippers are a specialised type of adhesive double sided tape for any wood floor. This type of rug tape won't damage the wood floor but will provide a strong bond to keep the rug in place.
Rug grippers are triangular pieces of anti-slip carpet tape that can be attached to the corners of any size carpets, even an area rug. They provide a strong bond, prevent rugs from sliding and work well on hard floors, tiles and vinyl flooring.
How to Protect Your Floors While Keeping Rugs in Place
Having a non slip rug pad or underlay underneath your rugs can add cushioning and add an extra layer of protection to high traffic or sensitive areas.
Minimise damage caused by glue or adhesive by avoiding large sticky mats, opting for a felt or rubber pad or using double-sided carpet tape instead of large sticky pads that may leave sticky residue and cause damage to carpets and flooring.
