You've finally found the Moroccan rug you've been looking for! Perhaps it's a richly colored Moroccan vintage runner for the entryway, or a hand-knotted Kilim flatweave for the living room. But, before you roll out your dream floor covering, you may be overlooking an important step: selecting the proper Moroccan rug pad.
Rug pads are interior design's unsung heroes. Despite its name, a rug pad isn't something you should sweep under the rug or ignore entirely. They are, in fact, the most important aspect of rug shopping and rug care. This essential accessory keeps your rug clean and your floors free of scratches and dents. It also keeps your Moroccan rug stationary, preventing you and your loved ones (including the four-legged variety) from slipping, which is especially important in high-traffic areas.
We don't blame you for deciding to save money by purchasing a lower-quality rug pad—who's going to see it?—However, the cheapest option, such as most "honeycomb" rubber pads, can actually damage your rug completely.
What Is the Purpose of a Quality Rug Pad, and How Does It Protect Your Rug?
A good rug pad will help your handmade rug last longer, be more durable, and provide extra comfort. However, that is not all they do.
The ideal rug pad will:
• Improve the appearance of your rug—A rug pad keeps the rug from bunching, keeps it in place, and gives it a subtle lift, making it appear thicker and more luxurious.
• Keep dirt from accumulating on the rug's underside. Though rugs naturally collect dust over time, a rug pad will help to prevent the damage that grit can cause when it sits in the fibers for too long.
• Keep your floor safe! Less expensive rug pads are made of sticky, thin rubber that can bond to and damage your floorboards.
• Help with noise reduction by softening sounds ranging from rowdy pets to aspiring drummers.
While we recommend a rug pad for all our Moroccan rugs, Moroccan Kilims, with their low pile, are especially vulnerable to becoming slippery (and risky) without one.
What's the Best Rug Pad You Can Find?
The best rug pad is one made of recycled felt and natural rubber. This combination offers the best of both worlds: the felt provides cushion and body beneath your rug, while the rubber grips to keep it in place. Because it is resistant to moisture and mildew, this rug pad is suitable for most floors. Finally, many synthetic PVC rug pads can permanently damage your costly hardwood floors and finishes.
How Do I Know if My Rug Pad Is the Right Size?
Rug pads should be available in all different sizes and can be easily trimmed to fit your Moroccan rug. It's best to get a rug pad that's slightly larger than your rug so you can customize it to fit the dimensions of your rug. Cut it so that it is 1-2" smaller than your handmade rug and does not peek out at the edges.
