Do I Need A Rug Pad?

Rug pads have many benefits, but they aren't right for every rug or every situation, and many people don't know whether they need one. In this short video, One World Rug Care in Albuquerque explains what a rug pad can do for you, what kind of padding to avoid, and which problems a good pad can help solve.

Why Dirt Is Your Rug's Biggest Enemy

One of the biggest dangers facing your rug is ordinary dirt. Dirt and sand are made largely of silica, the same material used to make glass. Under magnification, sandpaper shows sharp points that do the cutting. A magnified grain of sand shows the same sharp points and edges, and they act like tiny cutting tools on the fibers of your rug. Here in the high desert, fine sand and grit find their way indoors easily. As rugs wear, they lose value.

Three Ways a Rug Pad Protects Your Rug and Your Home

1. A Shock-Absorbing Layer That Reduces Wear

A good quality rug pad creates a cushioning layer between your rug and the floor. It helps keep dirt and grit from cutting the rug's fibers by letting dirt filter away from the rug and into the pad. That's why rugs with pads last longer and tend to hold their value longer.

2. A Safer Rug That Stays in Place

Rug pads make rugs more comfortable to walk on. They also help loosely woven rugs lie flat and keep rugs from slipping. That means a padded rug can be safer and can help eliminate tripping hazards.

3. Less Stress on the Rug's Foundation

The shock-absorbing quality of a pad helps rugs last longer in high-traffic areas, under heavy furniture, and on uneven floors. A pad takes stress off the foundation of the rug and helps protect it from stretching or puncturing.

Tips for Choosing a Rug Pad

All Rug Pads Break Down Eventually

Every rug pad decomposes over time. As a pad deteriorates, it can stick to the floor or to the rug, and that damage can be hard to fix. It's important to replace your pad before it breaks down. As a general guideline, if your pads are three to five years old or older, it's time to look at replacing them.

Avoid Low-Quality Pads

Low-quality rug pads can deteriorate quickly. Some of the materials used in cheaper pads can also off-gas and permanently discolor the floor underneath.

Thicker Pads Usually Last Longer

In general, thicker rug pads last longer than thinner ones.

Look for a Warranty

A good rug pad will come with a warranty. Depending on the quality of the pad, warranties range from one year to 20 years.

Rug Pads and Pets

If you have rescue pets or pet urine is a problem, a rug pad can help protect your flooring. However, urine will soak into the pad and create an odor problem over time, and rug pads usually can't be cleaned. If your pets have accidents, you might consider buying cheaper, thinner pads and replacing them more often. Learn more in our video on pet urine and rugs.

Rug pads don't last forever. If your pad is deteriorating, or it's full of dirt or urine, it should be replaced.

Wait Before Putting Rugs on Newly Finished Floors

Don't put area rugs or rug pads down on floors that have just been sealed or refinished. Many sealers and floor finishes need time to cure before they can be covered. Check with your flooring professional about when it's safe to put your rugs and pads back down.

Custom-Fit Rug Pads in Albuquerque

One World Rug Care offers custom-fit rug pads cut to the exact size of your rug, including an eco-friendly pad made from recycled materials that has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label. We can fit a new pad when your rug comes in for cleaning and deliver both together. Learn more about our rug pads.

We offer free pick-up and delivery in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Placitas, Santa Fe, Taos, Farmington, Durango and Pagosa Springs. Have a question about rug pads? Call us at (505) 821-0302 or request a free estimate.