Newsletter January 2010
Got Padding?
Once you have invested in a handmade Oriental rug, you will want to be sure to care for it in order to maintain its beauty for generations. One very important part of caring for your rug is placing a rug pad underneath. Read below to find out more about why you want to use padding and which kinds are best for your rug.
Why Use a Rug Pad?
Just as your wall-to-wall carpeting is underlain with padding, your room size and scatter size Oriental rugs should also have the protection of a pad underneath. Rug pads serve many purposes. First and foremost, they provide a cushioned protection between your feet and the hard floor beneath. This is important for your Oriental rug, because the underside of your rug is receiving the majority of the impact from your footsteps. The constant pounding of the underside on your rug to the hard floor beneath will cause premature wear on your Oriental rug. The cushioned layer also provides more comfort on your feet!
Rug pads also protect the rug from dirt and debris getting stuck in the pile of the rug. Dirt within the pile can act as a grind stone, wearing away the wool pile. Rug pads trap the dirt in their fibers, allowing the rug to remain relatively free of these harsh invaders. A pad underneath the rug also allows for more air flow through the underside of the rug so vacuuming is more effective in removing any dirt within the pile.
Pads are also an important safety feature for many rugs. Small, thin rugs can slide or buckle on hard surfaces, becoming a tripping hazard to anyone walking on it. The pads can help the rug adhere to the surface below.
Just as your wall-to-wall carpeting is underlain with padding, your room size and scatter size Oriental rugs should also have the protection of a pad underneath. Rug pads serve many purposes. First and foremost, they provide a cushioned protection between your feet and the hard floor beneath. This is important for your Oriental rug, because the underside of your rug is receiving the majority of the impact from your footsteps. The constant pounding of the underside on your rug to the hard floor beneath will cause premature wear on your Oriental rug. The cushioned layer also provides more comfort on your feet!
Rug pads also protect the rug from dirt and debris getting stuck in the pile of the rug. Dirt within the pile can act as a grind stone, wearing away the wool pile. Rug pads trap the dirt in their fibers, allowing the rug to remain relatively free of these harsh invaders. A pad underneath the rug also allows for more air flow through the underside of the rug so vacuuming is more effective in removing any dirt within the pile.
Pads are also an important safety feature for many rugs. Small, thin rugs can slide or buckle on hard surfaces, becoming a tripping hazard to anyone walking on it. The pads can help the rug adhere to the surface below.
Which kinds of pad should you use?
There are several different types of padding and the type you use depends on several factors. Some of the things to consider when determining the type of pad to use include the type of rug, the surface under the rug and the use and traffic on the rug.
If your rug is very thin, has low pile or made of a construction that makes it very pliable (single-wefted) you will want a pad that is well cushioned and has maximum capacity to adhere to the surface beneath. Either a pad with an adhesive on it or one made with fibers that act like a velcro on the under-side of your rug would be good choices. If your rug is of average width and doesn't buckle when walked on, a pad that will simply provide some cushioning is best, to reduce long-term wear on the rug.
Rugs may need padding regardless of the surface it is covering. If your rug is on hardwood or ceramic tile, you'll want a pad with a rubber bottom. The rubber bottom will prevent the rug from slipping on the hard surface. If your rug is on top of carpeting, consider a pad that has a fibrous texture on both sides. The fibers in the pad will adhere to both the rug and the carpet, much like velcro.
In some cases, the padding underneath needs to be very thin, especially if the rug is by a doorway that is low to the ground. In such cases be sure to ask for a pad that will not increase the height of the rug off the floor. Such padding definitely exists and is perfect for those entry way rugs that you don't want to slip out from underneath you, but don't have much room to clear the door.
Mousaian Oriental Rugs will be happy to answer your questions regarding rug pads and help you find the right type of padding to fit your needs.
