Do You Really Need a Rug Liner? (Yes, You Do!)

Why your area rug needs the right rug liner

No home improvement project enhances your living space quite like placing a new area rug. Because there are so many color and texture options, a new carpet breathes new life into your decor and gives you a comfortable place to rest your feet.

But what if your area rug just won’t stay in place? It curls. It shifts. It bunches. You trip slip as you walk across your room, making your new home decor item a tripping hazard.

How can you keep your area rug in place while enhancing its effectiveness and comfort?

Choosing the right rug liner, also known as a rug pad, is the best way to lock your carpet in place, no matter what flooring type you have. However, not all rug liners are created equal and serve very different purposes. You need to know which one will work best in your home.

Let’s take a look at why you need a rug liner, what you need to know before you buy one, and which rug liners are the best fit for your area rug.

Why you need a rug liner

With so many area rugs on the market, it’s easy to find just the right one to tie your whole room together.

• Put A Colorful Round Braided Rug Underneath Your Breakfast Nook.
• Use A Large, Solid Area Rug To Hide Stains On Your Living Room Carpeting.
• Place A High-Contract Flatweave Runner In Your Front Entryway Or Hallway.
• Flank Your Bed With Two Rectangular Shag Carpets In Comforting Colors.
• Use A Bright, Low Profile Doormat In Your Mudroom.

Whether you are looking to secure a carpet in a high-traffic area of your home or prevent outdoor rugs from sliding on hard surfaces, the best solution is to choose the best rug liner for your area rug.

The right non-slip rug pad will not only extend the life of your rug but protect your hard floors and carpeting from heavy furniture dents and accidents. Without a rug liner, the backing of your rug could scratch your floors and present serious slipping hazards.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of adding a rug liner beneath your new area rug.

• Grip And Anchor Your Area Rugs: Bunching and slipping on rugs is a huge issue, especially if you have company. A non-slip rug liner will prevent dangerous accidents caused by wrinkling and rippling.
• Enhance The Cleanliness Of Your Home: Placing a rug liner between your area rug and flooring will prevent mildew, mold, and odors. Some varieties will also prevent dirt and debris from building up beneath your carpet, which means your vacuuming efforts are more effective.
• Protect Your Flooring: Whether you have laminate, vinyl, or hardwood floors, the right carpet pad will protect your flooring from scratches, divots, and other damage caused by heavy furniture, excessive traffic, and pet nails.
• Extend The Lifespan Of Your Area Rug: A rug liner will keep your area rug locked in place, preventing excessive wear and tear that comes from a constantly shifting carpet.
• Improve The Comfort And Performance Of Your Carpet: A plush rug liner will add luxurious cushioning underfoot while adding a layer of soundproofing to quiet late-night movies and heavy footsteps.

Without a high-quality rug liner, all rug sizes are prone to shifting and sliding. This not only creates a tripping hazard but unavoidably does damage to your flooring.

Not all rug liners are created equal. Let’s look at what you need to know before ordering a carpet pad for your area rug.

What to know before you buy a rug liner

It may be easy to order a rug pad from a list of Amazon bestsellers, but it’s important to know exactly what you are buying.

Always look for a dual surface rug liner that will grip both your rug and your floor. Opt for eco-friendly materials that won’t disintegrate over time.

• Natural Rubber
• 100% Wool Felt
• Jute
• Authentic Memory Foam

A natural rubber and felt rug liner will offer both cushioning and grip for area rugs in high-traffic areas of your home. If cushioning underfoot is what you need, opt for authentic memory foam that won’t release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere of your living space as it ages.

Cheap rug pads will ruin your floors and break down over time. Often made from synthetic PVC, these rug liners can react with particular flooring finishes, causing more harm than good.

Always review what your rug liner is made from before spending your hard-earned money. High-quality rug liners may cost a bit more, but when made from natural materials, they can last for a decade or more.

These are the best rug liners for your home

With so many rug liners available, it can be difficult to tell which one will meet your needs.

First, decide what you are looking for in your rug pad’s performance. Do you need one with an anti-slip grip to prevent a family member from taking a tumble in the entryway? Are you looking to add cushioning to your living room rug, so you have a soft place to lay your feed as you read? Or maybe just something durable for your small kitchen rugs?

Once you know what you want from a rug liner, it’s time to order the right one. Here are RugPadUSA’s best sellers and how they will improve your area rug.

RugPro

Are you looking to keep a misbehaving rug in place on the most traveled floors of your home? At only 1/16th of an inch thick, RugPro offers high performance with a low profile. Due to door clearance requirements, this makes it the perfect choice for high-traffic areas over a thick rug pad.

This high-performing felt and natural rubber rug pad is safe for all flooring finishes and is made with only eco-friendly materials.

The rubber backing holds on to your floor with a gorilla grip while the natural felt topper gently hugs your carpet to prevent shifting.

Contour-Lock

If you want some additional cushioning with your rug gripper, Contour-Lock has you covered. This dual surface rug pad offers a solid design that protects floors from scratching and debris build-up.

Made from 100% recycled felt and natural rubber, Contour-Lock is heat pressed to 1/8th of an inch and will securely fasten itself to your carpet. Because it’s made from eco-friendly materials, it will not degrade over time and leave behind unsightly stains on your beautiful floors.

Contour-Lock pairs best with rugs that have rough backings, like Dhurries, Kilims, and Soumaks, as well as small floor mats that insist on bunching.

Nature’s Grip

Are sustainable products on the top of your home decor wishlist? Then look no further than Nature’s Grip. This rug liner is handwoven from natural plant jute and natural rubber, with an open weave that allows maximum airflow and increases the effectiveness of your vacuuming.

This non-slip rug pad works best in high traffic areas, and pairs well with runners and flatweave scatter rugs that seem to be constantly crooked and curling.

Super-Lock Natural

If you live in a hot, humid climate or like to place rugs in your bathroom, you know that mold and mildew are quick to set in. Choose a rug liner, like Super-Lock Natural, that will grip your floors no matter how humid it is.

Made from natural rubber, Super Lock Natural is manufactured with a classic waffle design which facilitates optimum airflow between your flooring and rug. It adds a comfortable level of cushioning underfoot while being thin enough to offer a herculean grip on your area rugs.

Super-Lock Natural is safe for all flooring types, is easy to clean, and doesn’t contain artificial adhesives or plastics.

Eco-Plush 3/8"

Sometimes, all you need from your rug liner is some ultra-premium cushioning with a touch of no-slip grip. Eco-Plush ⅜ is tightly woven from 100% recycled felt. It adds ultra-premium cushioning that protects your floors for years on end.

Eco-Plush rug liners are soft and free of unpleasant odors associated with other types of rug pads. Made with no adhesives or glues, this felt rug pad works well on any flooring, is eco-friendly, and is non-toxic to protect you and your fur babies.

Because it offers minimal grip, Eco-Plush works best under more oversized area rugs that don’t need non-slip protection.

Other things you want to know

Because it took you so long to find just the right area rug to complement your decor, you’ll want to protect your investment.

The right rug liner will not only keep your rugs in place but enhance your area rug’s performance and lifespan.

Always opt for eco-friendly materials and choose the right rug liner for your needs. Here is some more information on choosing and maintaining the right rug liner.

Do rug liners need to be the same size as the area rug?

No. A rug liner should be one inch smaller in diameter than your area rug. This allows the edges of your rug to taper to the floor and prevents the rug liner from peeking out from the edge of your carpet.

Which side of my dual surface rug pad should face the area rug?

When placing your new rug pad, lay the rubber side of your rug pad on the floor with the felt side facing your area rug.

The natural rubber will grip the floor firmly without damaging or compromising your hard floors. The felt topper will gently adhere to the backing of your area rug to prevent it from shifting, bunching, or curling at the edges.

How do I clean a rug liner?

To keep your rug liner working correctly, you’ll want to clean it twice a year. Here’s how to wash your rug liner.

1. Lift The Carpet To Expose The Rug Liner.
2. Use An Old Toothbrush And A Mixture Of ½ Cup White Vinegar And 1 Quart Warm Water To Gently Clean Stubborn Stains. ‘
3. Allow The Carpet Liner To Dry Thoroughly. Use A Box Fan To Speed Up The Process.
4. Sprinkle Baking Soda On The Dry Rug Pad To Deodorize.
5. After 15 minutes, Thoroughly Vacuum The Rug Pad.
6. Replace Your Carpet And Vacuum Once More.

Remember always to blot up spills as soon as they happen to prevent your rug liner from becoming damaged.

Can I use a rug liner underneath my outdoor rug?

Yes! When choosing a rug liner for the rug on your patio, deck, or porch, opt for one that is specially made for outdoor use, like Super-Lock Outdoor.

Super-Lock Outdoor is 100% waterproof and has a waffle design that allows optimal airflow between the rug and flooring. It’s also mold and mildew resistant to keep your outdoor carpet clean and beautiful.

How can I protect my wood floors from dog urine?

We love our dogs, but their accidents can cause permanent damage to expensive wood floors.

Protect your wood floors from dog urine by keeping a close eye on your pup and investing in a high-quality waterproof rug pad to prevent their accidents from ever reaching your hardwood floors.