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The Rug Pad: Why You Need It and How to Choose the Best One

October 12, 2020
Thick rug pad under persian rug in modern living room with brown couch and grey shelf

When shopping for an area rug or runner rug, very rarely do we think about the rug pad. But in our book, a rug pad is actually as indispensable as your rug. It’s your rug’s secret partner, the invisible force that keeps your rug intact and in place. Think of it as your rug’s less glamorous—but equally important—twin. So if you’ve been asking yourself if you really need a rug pad, the short answer is a resounding YES. Here’s why.

What Is a Rug Pad?

A rug pad is a thin underlay placed under a rug to support and anchor your rug. It’s usually made of a grippy, rubbery material on both sides that allows it to cling to both the rug and the floor. Aside from preventing the rug from sliding on hardwood, stone, or tile floor, it also serves as a protective barrier between the rug and floor. 

Note that a rug pad is not the same as the foam pad used under wall-to-wall carpet.

Cushioned Rug Pad

Why You Need a Rug Pad

1. Rug pads can help prevent accidents.

A rug pad’s most important purpose? Safety. Rug pads have a nonslip grip that anchors the rug firmly to the floor. This keeps your rug from sliding all over your hardwood floor and bunching up. 

How about for rugs under the bed or other heavy furniture? Yup, you need rug pads for those, too!

2. Rug pads protect your floor.

Rugs, in general, protect your floor by acting as a buffer between your floor and anything that can spill or fall on it—think liquid beverages, mud, dirt, heavy objects, and the like. They also keep your furniture legs from scratching or leaving scuffs on the floor. Having a rug pad underneath your rug reinforces that protection.

In some instances, rug pads can also protect your floor from your rug, as some rugs can leave visible marks on the floor.

Thick rug pad under black and white rug in white kitchen
Herdanza Black and White Rug with Cushioned Rug Pad

3. Rug pads can make a room feel cozier.

Lining your floor with a rug pad, especially the cushy one, adds an extra layer of warmth and comfort underfoot. But did you know it also helps absorb sound and dampen noise? Some rug pads can even improve indoor acoustics.

4. Rug pads make your rugs look good for a long time.

Aside from preventing wrinkles from forming on your rug, the rug pad also acts as a shock absorber. It reduces the impact of feet and takes the strain off the rug fibers, preserving the pile and structure of your rug. By reducing wear, your rug pad helps prolong the life of your rug.

How to Choose a Rug Pad

Thin and thick rug pad rolled up
Ruggable Rug Pads

As great as rug pads are, not all of them are created equal. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best rug pad for your floor. 

Material: Some rug pads are made from natural materials, like natural rubber and felt, and some are from synthetic, like thermoplastic rubber and polyester, which are usually more affordable and offer the same benefits. Whichever you pick, a good rug pad is made from durable and sustainable materials that are safe to use in your home. 

Tip: Some materials might cause damage or discoloration on some floors, so it’s always wise to check with your flooring manufacturer before purchasing one.

Size: How big your rug pad should be will depend on the size of your rug. Ideally, you’d want your rug pad to be at least an inch shorter than your rug on all sides so that it remains out of sight. A shorter rug pad also allows the rug to taper to the floor, preventing a tripping hazard. 

Tip: Ruggable Rug Pads are already designed to be shorter by at least an inch than our Rug Covers. So if you have an 8’x10’ Rug Cover, our 8’x10’ Rug Pad works perfectly fine.

Thickness: Your rug pad’s thickness can be a matter of preference, desired comfort level, and placement. A slimmer rug pad works best in hallways, outdoors, near a doorway, and spaces where there is rolling furniture, like a home office. A thicker rug pad or a cushioned rug pad works best in places where comfort is more important, like the living room, bedroom, nursery, and playroom.

Other Features: Aside from their standard features, some rug pads also offer additional benefits like water resistance, which makes it easier to clean and maintain.

Ruggable Rug Pads

We know how important rug pads are, which is why Ruggable rugs come in two equally important pieces: the Rug Cover and the Rug Pad. Thanks to our proprietary Cling Effect technology, these two pieces can be attached, detached, and reattached to each other without losing their grip. So you can wash your Rug Cover—or switch it out for another one—and attach it back to your Rug Pad.

Because we know rug pads are not one-size-fits-all, Ruggable offers two types of Rug Pads to complement our Rug Covers. Both are made of recycled and latex-free materials and are generally safe to use on most types of flooring, including hardwood floors. While our Rug Pads cater to different needs and rooms, both offer the same nonslip, easy-to-clean features that we know you all need. 

The Classic Rug Pad

Thin rug pad under bordered blue and grey rug in the white kitchen
Afshan Steel Blue Rug with Classic Rug Pad

Our Classic Rug Pad features a slim and lightweight design, which works best in high-traffic spaces or where a low-profile rug is preferred, like under doors or rolling furniture. It goes with any indoor or outdoor Ruggable Rug Cover. 

Thickness: 4 millimeters or one-eighth of an inch thick

Great for: Indoor and outdoor spaces where a thinner rug is preferred or required, like hallways, entryways, by the door, or under rolling furniture.

The Cushioned Rug Pad

Thick rug pad under persian rug with grey chair and round coffee table in modern living room
Kamran Hazel Rug with Cushioned Rug Pad

Our new Cushioned Rug Pad is designed to provide extra padding and comfort for your feet while keeping your Rug Cover in place. 

Thickness: 10 millimeters or two-fifths of an inch thick, with an extra middle layer for plushness 

Great for: Indoor spaces where you may crave extra cushion, such as the kitchen, living room, nursery, or bedrooms

How to Clean Your Rug Pad

Rug pads are generally easy to clean and can be wiped or spot-cleaned—and Ruggable Rug Pads are no different. For dry messes, simply sweep or vacuum on a low-suction setting to get rid of dirt and debris. For wet messes, spot-clean the area with soap and water, then allow the Pad to dry laying flat.

Cushioned Rug Pad
Rug Care
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Gracee Tolentino
Content and SEO manager by day, home decor bargain hunter by night.

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12 Comments


Sandi
November 23, 2020 at 1:04 pm
Reply

When will the new padded version be available. It is absent from your web site.



    mm
    RUGGABLE
    December 14, 2020 at 9:33 pm
    Reply

    Hi, Sandi! Thanks for your interest! We are happy to say that our Cushioned Rug Pads are back in stock! 🙌

    You can find them by visiting the following link: https://myruggable.com/rug-pads

Lisa Green
November 27, 2020 at 10:13 am
Reply

I’ve searched the entire site but cannot find the extra cushion pad for sale or as an option. Help!



    mm
    RUGGABLE
    December 14, 2020 at 9:34 pm
    Reply

    Hi, Lisa! Thanks for your interest in our Cushioned Rug Pads! You can find them by visiting the following link: https://myruggable.com/rug-pads 🤗

Kyle
November 28, 2020 at 2:32 am
Reply

This is frustrating, I see that the comfort pad is a real thing but can’t find anywhere to actually buy it on your website and really no mention of it anywhere in the store. What gives?



    mm
    RUGGABLE
    December 14, 2020 at 9:42 pm
    Reply

    Hi, Kyle! Thanks for your interest in our Cushioned Rug Pads!

    Unfortunately, our Cushioned Rug Pads were out of stock for the latter part of Novemeber, but we are happy to say that they are now back in stock! You can find them by visiting the following link: https://myruggable.com/rug-pads ✨

paula spencer
December 7, 2020 at 7:33 pm
Reply

We have new bamboo floors. Will your rug pads work with this type of flooring? We aren’t supposed to use rubber or latex backing so bamboo can breathe!



    mm
    RUGGABLE
    December 10, 2020 at 11:24 pm
    Reply

    Hi, Paula! We have not tried our Rug System on bamboo floors ourselves, so we recommend double-checking with your flooring manufacturer to be extra cautious.

    For reference, Both our Classic and Cushioned Rug Pads (bottom layer) consist of a 100% recycled polyester surface and a thermoplastic rubber bottom, which is a latex-free, synthetic material most commonly used in yoga mats. Our Cushioned Rug Pads have an additional 100% recycled polyester middle layer for added cushion.

    Hope that helps! 😊

Marilyn Beckwith
December 20, 2020 at 10:02 pm
Reply

We installed Coretec flooring, which is a luxury vinyl tile. They recommend finding a rug pad that is Safe for Hardwood Floors. Is your rug pad safe for hardwood floors and non-discolouring?



Karina Padovan
January 21, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Reply

Can I use a regular pad, in replace to the ruggable pad?



Nina
February 21, 2021 at 2:20 pm
Reply

I would like to order a rug with the thicker pad, but it appears that that is not an option…it’s only sold with the classic pad. I do not want to have to buy the thicker pad completely separately and have 2 pads! I see there is a drop-down arrow for which pad you want when placing the order, but when you click on it, nothing happens…still forcing me to have the classic pad.
Help!



Debi green
February 24, 2021 at 8:20 pm
Reply

Same problem as above want the cushioned pad for my 9x 12 what do you suggest?



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