So you’re looking for the simplest tricks on how to keep your rug pads from curling up.

You’re right to be concerned. Curled-up rug pads aren’t only annoying, they can also cause you to trip over. 

Keeping the rug pads straightened isn’t an option. It’s a must. Designed to keep traffic areas safe, rug pads, of all accessories, should come least in causing harm to owners.

As it turns out, keeping rug pads from curling up does not require so much effort. 

Here are some quick and simple tips to keep rug pads from curling up. 

Ready…

What Causes Rug Pads to Curl Up?

Before learning how to keep rug pads from curling up, it is imperative to determine what causes them to curl up. 

Here are common reasons/factors….

1. How the Rug was Constructed

Cheap rug pads whose fibers are not tightly-knitted tend to curl up more. Expensive and top-grade quality rug pads, on the other hand, resemble intertwined fiber knits. This type of rug pad strongly grips on the surface it is laid on. 

A rug pad for carpet recycled from nylon carpet fibers also tends to provide a stronger grip.

2. Being Placed on Top of a Carpet

The surface of a carpet fails to act as a stable hold for the rug pad. Why? That is, because a carpet consists of fibers that slide in and shrivel when in contact with any rug pad material.

Experts believe that the main cause for the fibers to shrivel is the lack of friction distribution. Rug pads, in all types and materials, essentially lack friction distribution due to its purpose to shield and protect floors and rugs. 

This very same property of the rug pad also happens to cause it to fold and curl up. 

The best solution to this is to rather put the rug underneath the carpet. This should keep it from possibly curling up while also protecting the carpet or rug. 

3. Sharp-Edged Rug Pads

A rug pad for carpet with sharp edges tends to curl up mostly 80% of the time. The sharp edge angle respectively tends to be lighter than the curved one. In addition, sharp-edged rug pads lack ample binding needed for grip. 

Some owners cut the angled edges to form a curve. By doing this, the pad potentially draws more weight before yielding to an external force, therefore decreasing the chances of a fold. 

However, this does not always end up well since most rug pads are loosely knitted that they break apart when tinkered on. 

4. High Humidity

When humidity rises, more air molecules spread out into the air, allowing gas to slide off and escape. The main mechanism that keeps rug pads glued to the floor surface is air volume.

Now with the air easily slipping due to sparse water molecules, the air volume in the pad loses its strength, eventually causing the rug pad to fold or curl up with the slightest motion. 

Consequently, decreasing the humidity and the density of moisture in the space improves the rug pad’s ability to resist curling and/or folding. 

You have just learned the factors that cause the rug pads to curl up. 

Read on to learn about the simple tips on how to keep rug pads from curling up. 

Simple Tips/Tricks on How to Keep Rug Pads from Curling Up

The secret on how to keep rug pads from curling up are basically entrenched in the logic of how the rug pads are made. 

But even the most basic of tips might yield unlikely results when not done properly. 

Here’s how to do ‘em right…

1. Use non-skid rubber shelf liners.

• Fit the size of the rubber shelf liner strips by measuring its width and length. 
• Cut the liners into many strips.
• Lay the liner strips on the area where you want to place the rug pads. 
• Set out the rolled-up rug pad. 
• Place the rug pad/s at one end of the strips. 
• Roll out the rug pad along the grain of the strips to avoid folds and creases. 
• After 3-5 weeks, check the floor underneath the area of any moisture and other sticky elements. 

2. Strengthen the pad’s grip with velcro. 

• Draw the shape or outline of the rug against the floor using a pencil.
• Turn the rug upside down. Maintain its fit against the drawn outline.
• Unroll the velcro and lay it flat on the floor. 

• Feel the velcro to mark its loop side (softer) from its hook (rougher) side. 
• Cut 4 strips from each side measuring 2 inches. 
• Remove the adhesive backing of each strip. 
• Hold the strips with the velcro facing down, and the sticky part facing up. 
• Place the loop side strips on the four corners of the rug pad with the adhesive side in contact with the rug pad. 
• Maintain at least ½-1 inch of allowance between the strip and the edge of the corner. 
• Press on the strips to make sure they’re especially glued. 
• Put the hook side strips on the four areas outlined against the floor, with the adhesive part in contact with the floor surface. 
• Carefully estimate so that they line up with the strips on the rug pad. 
• Finally, carefully place the rug pad on the floor so the velcro strips meet. 

3. Use a double-sided tape/rug gripper tape to keep the rug pad in place. 

• Flatten out your rug pad by spreading over the area of the floor you want it positioned. 
• Make sure that it’s stretched from edge to edge to clear out folds and creases. 
• Once flattened, roll the rug pad back in to reveal its underside. Fix the double-sided tape or anti curling rug gripper in the sides of the rug pad. Complete sticking tapes down to the pad’s edge. 
• Flatten out the rug pad back in place. 
• Remove tapes that are sticking out of the rug pad.

4. Choose and buy the appropriate rug pad. 

• Choose a rug pad that is either made of vinyl or rubber. 
• Make sure to match the rug pad to your main rug’s size. 
• Have the rug pads’ edge checked by the seller. If it’s edge angle is too sharp, have it adjusted by the seller or, in the case of the handed ones, by a tailor.

5. Detach the rug pad’s adhesive backing. 

• Roll out the pad in place. 
• Make sure all the other peripheries are in place.
• Feel in one of its sides the adhesive/protective backing. 
• Remove the backing from the tip of the side going down. Make sure to not touch it with your fingers so that they only stick on the surface.

NOTE: Not all rug pads have protective backing.

6. Match the rug pad to your floor’s finish. 

• Roll out and apply the pad in place. 
• Place your foot on the pad to see if it matches your floor finish. 
• Slightly move your foot front and back, side-to-side to see if it moves or curls up. 
• If it does, reapply the rug pad. 
• If it continues to move about, look for another rug pad material that matches your floor finish. 

NOTE: For hardwood floors, natural rubber pads prove to be a perfect match. 

7. For obstinate rug pads, resort to caulking. 

• Turn the rug pad over to reveal its underside. 
• Apply strips of caulk into the pad from width to width. 
• Start from the top length going down. 
• Maintain a -inch interval for each caulk strip to yield the best grip. 
• After applying, air-dry the caulk.  
• After 10 minutes or when the caulk is fully dry, apply the pad into the floor. 

And, that should do it. 

Continue reading to learn about the buying guide…

Buying Guide for Securing Curl-Free Rug Pads 

Here is the buying guide for securing curl-free rug pads:

Rubber Backings 

Rubber backings serve as cushion and grip for the rug pads. With this feature secured, you can expect more or less expansive, dual-purpose rug pads that can be used both indoors and outdoors. 

Rubber backings, regardless of the floor type, quality, or condition, hold the rug pad tight into the surface, increasing its traction against traffic. 

Eco-Friendly Material

Rug pads made from natural rubber or other eco-friendly materials best match hardwood floors. Unlike synthetic materials, they don’t discolor hardwood floors. 

Most importantly, eco-friendly and natural rug pads keep moistures at bay, therefore minimizing the chances of wear, tear, creases, and folds. 

Size

Always use a rug pad that is slightly bigger (at least a few centimeters) than the main rug. An excessively large rug pad also encourages frequent curlings. So, it should maintain some kind of a balance. 

If you can’t perfectly match both, be ready to size up or down the rug pad to your preference. 

check here Top 10 Best Rug Pads For Laminate Floors

Continue reading to hear our conclusion….

Conclusion

As you can see, the options on how to keep rug pads from curling up follow a pretty logical pattern. But to those who are new in the business, these actions tend to be tricks. 

After all, setting up rug pads does not commonly warrant so much detail and attention… Not until they start curling up!

But whatever the case, keeping the rug pads from curling up is not an option. It is imperative if you want to secure a safe space for your and your whole family. 

We hope you’ve learned a lot from this article.

What do you think of our tips? Do you think you can add more from your experience? Do comment below!