Care
Why your rug needs an underlay
It's the least glamorous part of buying a rug, and the part people most often skip. But a good underlay is a small spend that protects a big one, and it makes almost any rug feel better underfoot. Here's why we recommend one with nearly every rug that leaves our floor.
What an underlay actually does
- Stops the slip. On hard floors, a rug without grip creeps, curls at the edges and becomes a trip hazard, especially a runner in a busy hall. A non-slip underlay holds it still.
- Protects the rug. It cushions the pile from the hard floor below, so the rug wears more slowly and evenly. Your rug literally lasts longer.
- Protects the floor. A quality underlay stops any friction or colour transfer between rug and floorboards.
- Feels better. That extra bit of give underfoot makes even a firm rug feel plush and expensive.
On hard floors vs carpet: on timber, tile or concrete, a grippy non-slip underlay is essential. Over existing carpet, a firmer underlay stops the rug from rippling and "walking".
Getting the right one
The underlay should sit a couple of centimetres in from the rug's edge all the way around, so it's invisible and the edges still sit flush to the floor. We'll cut one to your rug's size when you buy, so it's one less thing to think about.
It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy for a rug, and the difference is under your feet every single day.
Ask us to include an underlay with your rug, or with a hallway runner where it matters most.
Written by the Dandy Rugs family in Dandenong. Questions? Come in for tea or browse the rugs.
