Can I Use Rubber Backed Rugs On Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floor care maintenance.

Can i use rubber backed rugs on hardwood floors.

Rubber mats were made or designed for hard surfaces such as tiles or concrete hardwood flooring is very different. Natural latex rubber can be used whether as a backing or as a rug pad under a natural fiber rug. The only way to safely use a rubber backed rug on a hardwood floor is to put it over a safe rug pad. Rug pads should not have adhesives such as glue but rather rubber or latex backings that prevents them from slipping on the floor.

The combo is ideal to provide proper support and cushioning as well as a non skid base. The chemicals in the rubber can leave permanent marks on the floor or discolor the wood. Using the wrong rug pad rug pads are great for keeping area rugs from sliding around on hardwood floors but the wrong one can leave marks and hurt your floor. Homeowners can tape the rug pad to the bottom of the rubber backed area rug.

Look for rugs that are non staining or labeled as colorfast or safe for use with hardwoods. Avoid rubber and latex mats if possible. Different kinds of pads are made from various materials that impact differently on the hardwood floor. Synthetic latex which may stick to or otherwise harm a hardwood floor should not be placed directly on it.

However there may be a noticeable difference between the types of non slip rug pads that are typically placed beneath rugs that are placed on hardwood floors. Regarding rugs it is best to use non staining vinyl backed mats or any rug that is labeled as colorfast area rugs that say safe for use with hardwoods should be just fine. Rubber backed mats can dull your floor s shine and even cause some discoloration. Never ever use a rubber or latex backed rug on your hardwood flooring.

To protect your hardwood floor use a combination felt and rubber pad to keep your area rugs from sliding. It is generally unsafe. In addition to problems caused by the accumulation of moisture beneath the rug the plasticizers in latex coating can migrate into the wood s finish and cause discoloration. Felt and rubber is ideal for flat weave rugs because the needle punched felt surface naturally clings to the bottom of rugs to anchor it and the rubber prevents sliding on the flooring.

To prevent slippage purchase a quality vinyl rug pad don t use rubber foam back or plastic pads as they may discolor your wood floor. If you do and i wouldn t ever use one of those rug protector thingies underneath the rug. I still wouldn t ever use a latex backed rug again after this experience because i d be afraid some of the latex would get through the rug protector underneath. Natural rubber or felt are the best materials for a quality rubber pudding.