How to Install an Area Rug Pad, by Oriental Rug and Carpet Clinic on YouTube. 3 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Measure the rug's length and width. Cut the pad 1 to 2 inches smaller on every side so it stays hidden under the rug and the edges do not curl up.
Unroll the rug and the pad and let them lie flat for a few hours. Rugs that have been stored rolled relax and sit flatter after resting.
Vacuum or sweep the floor and let it dry completely. Dust and grit under the pad stop the grip from working.
Check which side of the pad faces down. On wood, tile, laminate or other hard floors, put the gray side down. On carpet, put the white side down.
Lay the pad flat and smooth out wrinkles with your hands. The pad should sit inside the rug outline, not poke out past the edges.
Ask a helper to lift the rug over the pad and set it down from one corner. Line the rug up so the pad stays centred underneath.
Smooth the rug from the middle out toward each edge. Walk over it a few times so the pad grips both the rug and the floor.
Lift and reposition the pad whenever you redecorate or clean. The foam is light, holds its shape and can be moved without tools.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the pad slightly smaller than the rug, or its edges will show and become a trip hazard.
Lift heavy rugs with a helper and bend at the knees instead of dragging them across the floor.
Do not lay a pad on damp concrete or a freshly cleaned floor, since trapped moisture causes mildew.
For a shaped or cowhide rug, trace the outline onto the pad with a marker before cutting.
Questions
Does the pad go under or over the rug?
Under the rug. The pad sits directly on the floor and the rug goes on top of it, grip side against the rug backing.
Can I use a rug pad on top of carpet?
Yes. Place the white side down on carpet so the pad grips the fibers, then lay the rug on the other side.
How much smaller should the pad be than the rug?
About 1 to 2 inches smaller on each side. A pad that sticks out past the rug looks messy and can catch your foot.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
