Rug Slipping - Rug Walks

-When decorating your home, you may find that you want to put rugs down over your hardwood floors. This can help control noise and add some sense of warmth when walking barefoot. The question is, how can you keep your rug from slipping on your hardwood floors? What if your rug walks?

-At our last house, my wife and I had a corner of one rug that was curling up. We asked the rug company how to deal with this, and they came out and put a double adhesive strip down under the rug. When we moved, however, this adhesive strip had bonded to the hardwood floor like glue! It was impossible to get up. I tried "goof off", denatured alcohol, scraping, etc., but it was still there.

-Eventually, my hardwood floor contractor had to come and sand off the adhesive and reseal the floor. He didn't even charge me for it! You may not be so lucky... What are your choices for keeping your rug from slipping or for dealing with a rug that walks?

-I have heard of some people applying non-stick material like vinyl tiles to the underside of the four corners of the rug. This gives the pad something to hold onto and may keep the rug from slipping or walking. I have even heard of using rubber caulk (be sure to let it dry) for a rug that walks.

-You might try "runner mats" that are made of drawer liner-like material. I think you can find these at Home Depot or Lowe's, and they may keep your rugs from slipping or walking.

-I must confess that I have yet to come across a perfect solution for dealing with a rug that is slipping or a rug that walks. I guess the best lesson here is to be cautious about applying adhesive that will be permanently stuck to your hardwood floors.