Protect Your Loop Rug with the Right Rug Pad

Close your eyes and picture the entryway to your grandparents' house. Chances are a plush loop rug adorned the floor, giving you a place to dry your shoes on a rainy day and preventing you from slipping as you stepped into their home.

Dramatic loop rugs may have been popular back in the 1970s and 1980s, but they are being revived in new, contemporary styles, colors, and patterns.

Loop rugs are made with looped textile fibers. The edges are attached to the rug backing while the loops create a soft, smooth surface that can be solid, striped, or patterned.

Traditionally, dramatic, multicolored designs reigned supreme, with muted tones becoming popular in the 1980s. Today, loop area rugs come in subtle patterns with an infinite selection of colors.

Whether you place your loop rug in an entryway, your living room, or in the hallways of your home, you’ll need a way to keep your carpet secure in high-traffic areas.

Bunching, shifting, and vacuuming can shorten the life of your rug and pose a tripping hazard that could lead to falls and injuries on your hard floors. Not only that, it could also cause additional wear and tear to your expensive flooring.

The best way to keep your loop rug in place is with a high quality carpet pad made from eco-friendly materials that won’t break down over time and react with the backing of your new area rug.

Take a look at why your loop area rug needs a rug pad and which ones are right for the job.

Why you need a rug pad for a loop rug

Loop rugs offer easy maintenance, a stylish profile, and an endless amount of design choices. There are several types of loop rugs.

Level Loop: This carpet design involves the loop pile to be the same sizes, creating an even, smooth surface. Berber: The most common loop pile type, carpet fibers are bent into short loops with a slight bit of height variance. Multi-Level Loop: Loop pile height varies to offer a visually appealing design with flourishes and flat spots.

Because the carpet fibers are looped rather than cut, the surface of your loop rug is much more durable than other textures. The loops also create a denser pile, making this type of rug ideal for high-traffic areas.

Loop carpets don’t show vacuum marks or footprints. This keeps your area rug trackless and maintains a fresh, new look.

However, there are some cons to having a loop rug in a high-traffic area of your home. If a fiber becomes snagged, it could create a zipper-like pull that makes a wrinkling effect that ruins the look of your carpet. Loops can also be pulled up individually, meaning they need to be fixed or trimmed.

If you have pets or children in your home, it’s essential that you maintain your loop rug properly to help improve its lifespan. The best way to do this is to ensure it is locked in place, as bunching, rippling, and buckling will increase the chance of snags.

A high-quality rug pad is a surefire way to keep your loop area rug in place. Choosing the right rug pad for your area rug is crucial. 

A good carpet pad not only protects your rug and flooring but could also add a comforting layer of cushioning underfoot. Take a look at what you need to know on your search for the right rug pad for your new loop rug.

What to know before you buy

Before you purchase a random rug pad from Amazon, you need to know what size you need. A common misconception is that a rug pad’s measurements should match your rug size.

The truth is that matching the measurements will lead to your rug pad showing around the edges of your rug and could create a tripping hazard, as it prevents your carpet from draping correctly.

When choosing an anti-slip rug pad to prevent bunching and tripping, you’ll need to measure your rug’s perimeter. Then, choose a rug pad that is one inch smaller all around. This will allow the rug pad to work effectively and prevent it from peeking out and ruining your loop rug’s design.

Materials are also necessary when selecting the best area rug for your loop area rug. Cheap rug pads can ruin your expensive flooring. These products are made from synthetic materials, like PVC, which react with your home’s hard surfaces, especially laminate, vinyl, natural stone, and wood floors. Not only do they break down and release toxic chemicals into the air, but they leave behind a sticky residue that stains your floorings and area rug.

Always choose eco-friendly materials like jute, natural rubber, and felt. High-quality memory foam is also a good option for people who crave additional cushioning under their loop rugs. If you live in a humid climate, keep an eye out for a rug pad that is mold and mildew resistant.

These are the best area rug pads for a loop rug

Your loop rug needs a rug gripper pad as durable as the loop pile it’s made from. Even smaller rugs benefit from a natural rubber rug pad that will keep it in place.

Here are the best non-skid rug pads to pair with your favorite loop rug.

RugPro

If your loop rug is in a high-traffic area, like an entryway, dining room, or hallway, you will want a rug pad with a low profile to prevent a tripping hazard.

RugPro is a high-performance natural rubber and felt rug pad with strong gripping power. It combines a thin layer of felt with a durable natural rubber backing.

This dual surface design will grip the back of your loop rug to prevent shifting, buckling, and bunching as it simultaneously anchors your carpet to your hard floors.

The needle-punched surface allows floors and rugs to breathe without allowing dirt and debris to build up underneath your rug pad. And because it’s made with natural materials, RugPro won’t flake and degrade as cheap rug pads do.

Nature’s Grip

If sustainability is high on your list, consider Nature’s Grip as your go-to rug pad for high-traffic areas. This eco-friendly carpet pad combines natural rubber and hand-woven organic jute fibers to offer maximum grip, which protects your flooring and extends the life of your rug.

No harmful chemicals or adhesives are used in the design of Nature’s Grip. Just like the name says: this rug pad will help your rug grip rather than stick. And because it has a low profile, this rug pad is perfect for areas where door clearance and rug thickness need to be maintained.

Use Nature’s Grip in any high-traffic area, especially with runners or throw rugs that need to stay put.

Super-Lock Natural

Made from 100% natural rubber, Super-Lock Natural is the best solution for loop rugs that just won’t cooperate. It has over a pound of natural rubber per square foot and a waffle design to facilitate airflow throughout your carpet, which allows your flooring to breathe.

Super-Lock Natural is designed to prevent issues associated with cheap rug pads, like scratching, staining, and stripping your hardwood floor’s finish. It also works well in hot and humid climates because it is mold and mildew-resistant.

With no added plastics, glues, or adhesives, Super-Lock Natural is durable, easy to clean, and the perfect choice for areas where tripping and slipping might lead to injuries.

Other things you want to know

Your high traffic areas need safety, stability, and comfort. Choose a rug pad that will keep your loop rug in place while preserving its integrity and quality.

Here are some things you want to know when looking to secure your loop rug.

How do I clean a loop rug?

Depending on the materials, a loop rug is relatively easy to clean. Always consult the manufacturer’s tag before cleaning an area rug.

Here are the steps you need to take when cleaning your loop area rug.

1. Share Out The Rug Outside
2. Gently Vacuum The Rug On Both Sides
3. Use A Gentle Detergent To Lightly Scrub The Rug.
4. Rinse Away Suds.
5. Blot Excess Moisture.
6. Allow To Dry Completely.

Depending on where your loop rug is placed, you’ll need to clean it every 3-5 years to maintain its vibrancy and pile height. Area rugs in high-traffic areas may need cleaning more often.

Can I layer a loop rug on carpeting?

Yes! Layering an area rug on wall-to-wall carpeting is a stylish way to hide stains, muffle noise, and create visual interest in your space.

However, you will need the right rug pad to act as a buffer between your carpet and area rug. Without one, your loop rug will bunch and ripple. Not only that, the area rug’s backing will rub up against your carpet fibers, causing fraying and irreversible damage.

Choose Carpet Lock to use between your area rug and wall-to-wall carpeting. It’s made from all-natural materials and will not break down and create a sticky residue in your carpet fibers.

Do RugPadUSA rug pads have a warranty?

Yes! Many of our high-quality rug pads come with a ten-year warranty. The rug pads will last even longer with proper care and maintenance.

How can I repair a snagged loop on my loop rug?

Snags in your loop rug can ruin the pattern and design’s appearance. Here is how you can fix your damaged loop rug.

1. Try To Push It Back In: Sometimes, you can push a snagged loop back into the carpet backing. Use a screwdriver or your finger to move the pulled loop into the carpet.
2. If it looks OK, move on to step two.
3. If you cannot push it back into place, the best option is to cut the snagged loop to prevent pulling.
4. Glue The Loop: Use a small amount of super glue or hot glue to secure the bottom of the pulled loop in place. This will prevent further snagging and keep the errant loop in place.

This repair is temporary, especially if your loop rug is in a high-traffic area. Be sure to use a gentle vacuum setting on loop rug designs to prevent snags that run the length of your area rug.

What rug pad should I choose for my flatweave rug?

The best choice for flatweave rugs is a carpet pad that offers the following benefits: 

• Non-Slip Grip 
• A Low Profile 
• Adequate Cushioning 
• Natural Materials

If you’re looking for a rug pad to use under a flatweave rug that will lock it in place, choose RugPro. If cushioning underfoot is what you seek, Contour Lock is a great choice.