We all have a particular love and affection for our homes as they are the place where we can relax and unwind. Area rugs in particular help a home feel more comfortable and also accent hardwood floors beautifully. What exactly is the purpose of a rug pad? Our experts share the purpose and benefits of rug pads in this article.

Rug pads prevent slipping

Area rugs are often placed on hardwood floors, which can be slippery. If you have a rug that tends to shift around or slide across the floor, it will wear unevenly and may leave unsightly marks on your hardwood floor. The best way to prevent this is by placing an area rug pad under the rug so it stays firmly in place. A nice bonus of using an area rug pad is that it also protects your floors from damage because most pads are made out of materials like rubber.

Prevents holes and wear and tear on rugs

Area rug pads give the rug a bit of cushioning, which helps prevent it from wearing down over time. It also prevents small tears or holes from forming in your area rug as you walk around on it. This also helps the rug backing so it does not get snagged or caught on hardwood flooring gaps which can cause serious damage to a rug without even noticing.

Supports your feet walking on the rug

Area rug pads also provide additional padding underfoot which helps with support and cushion between the hard floor and your area rug. Area rug pads come in different denseness and materials, and similar to carpet padding, and area rug pad can accent the feeling of your rug tremendously.

Rug pads protect flooring from wear and tear

Area rug pads are designed to protect the flooring under your area rugs. They do this in several ways:

A pad will sit between your rug and the flooring underneath it to prevent scratching or damage to that surface. Rugs with their own rubber backing can be placed directly on top of hardwood floors without a pad because they both have protective qualities. However, if you have an area rug without any type of backing or protection for the floor below it (like a woven woolen oriental carpet), then you’ll want some kind of padding between that soft fabric and any hardwood flooring so that you won’t risk damaging either one over time with heavy furniture or pets walking across them regularly.

Helps with cleanliness under the rug

Another important benefit of rug pads is that they help keep the floor underneath your rug clean. Rugs can become dirty and dusty over time, especially if you have pets or children who track in dirt from outside. A pad will protect the floor below from absorbing this dirt and dust, keeping your home looking its best.

If you do not have a pad beneath your area rug, it can make cleaning much more difficult as well. Dirt and moisture will stay trapped under the rug with no way for it to escape. Pads also reduce static cling by keeping rugs grounded on top of carpets instead of floating above them like magic carpets would do otherwise.

Increases the lifespan of the rug

While a rug pad is primarily to help protect your floor, it also increases the lifespan of your area rug. The extra layer between the surface of your wood or stone floors and your area rugs will help prevent wear and tear, so you can enjoy your rug for years to come.

Grip vs. Cushion Rug Pads

If you have hardwood floors or tile in your home, a grip pad is the best option. Grip pads provide traction to keep rugs from slipping and sliding on hard surfaces like wood or tile.

If you’re looking for a cushioned rug pad that provides comfort underfoot, then a cushion pad is the way to go. The extra thickness of these types of pads will give you better support than other options, which can make them more comfortable to walk on.

How long do rug pads last?

Rug pads can last years, depending on their quality. They can be washed in a rug cleaning plant alongside your area rug. As they start to wear out or after several years, it’s important to replace the rug pad so they do not stick to your floors or disintegrate and potentially damage the floor.

Area Rug Pads in the Greater Boston Area

If you are looking for a new area rug page or area rug pad cleaning in the Greater Boston area, contact us at (781) 729-2213. Since 1938 Koko Boodakian & Sons has been the rug cleaning and restoration experts in the Greater Boston area. We provide rug and rug pad cleaning that are 100% green to keep your rugs looking and smelling fresh.