Rugs are very commonly used on wood floors today. Many homes are well decorated with these often pricy and yet beautiful items. Experts always recommend using a pad to place underneath every rug and carpet in your home. They advise so you protect your investment and will ultimately save money in the long run.
What is good for both carpets and rugs is to invest in a quality pad and by doing so it will not only increase the comfort level for your feet but to also extend the life of your rug or carpet. What it does is it reduces wear and tear from foot trotting plus pile crushing by absorbing the pressure exerted on the carpet or rug. It also allows for deeper and more efficient vacuuming because the pad causes the rug or carpet raise off of the floor. This allows the air to penetrate through the rug or carpet effortlessly in doing so making it more possible to remove more dirt from the rug or carpet.
One thing to note about dirt is not only makes your carpet or rug look dingy but is also proven to cause damage to the backing and fibers of your carpet or rug. If you look at one speck of dirt under a microscope, you will notice sharp edges, like that of broken glass. These sharp edges cut away at your fibers every time you walk on it. This is why having a pad below will help to lessen the crushing damage that dirt causes. Another thing to note is having a professional carpet or rug cleaner clean your rugs or carpet will help remove more dirt than just your weekly vacuuming.
Pads are also a safety precaution for rugs. No matter where the rug is placed (on carpet or hardwood or any other place), a pad keeps the rug in place to prevent slips and pulls. It provides protection for your older and little ones! Another good reason to have pads on top of your wood floors and carpet is it acts as a blocker dye transfer from your rug, the pad is a drink spill absorbent, keeps from marring, staining, and scratching.
Something to remember is rug pads are specifically designed for the type of flooring you have. For example, if you have carpeting under your rug, make sure you purchase a rug pad made specifically for carpeting. The same is true for hard floorings. You can’t use the same pad for carpet as you can as a hardwood floor – they are not made the same and will not give the comfort and protection your floor requires.
The most common pad used today is rebound pads which are made from scraps of high density foam. This type of padding is perfect for homes with pets and small children. This pad has a scrim on top to prevent liquids from soaking into the pad. These pads also have anti-microbial aspects that inhibit the breeding of bacteria and associated smells. The “experts for carpet cushions” called the Carpet Cushion Council, they recommend this pad of 6 pounds at a minimum. However this is a minimum recommendation and it is my professional opinion that a pad of 8 pounds will provide longer wear verses 6 pounds.
If you find it hard to figure out the best pad for your rug or carpet, you can always contact a local supply store that supplies sales rugs or carpets and find out which pad works best for your needs. Or just Google a creatable source.
