If you have been reading my recent blogs, there has been a big emphasis on protecting your rug investment with proper cleaning and the use of fibre protection to help fight against pet stains, insect infestation, and other common concerns. This month, I will talk about the correct use of underpads.
As we have mentioned before, it is the dry soil that ends up in every rug that is particularly damaging. The below video on rug pads shows what silica looks like under a microscope and it is easy to see why it is so harmful. The proper use of rug underpad can help combat this issue in the following ways:
– A good pad will act as a shock absorber and cushion the rug to help keep soils and grit from damaging the rug fibres.
– A rug pad allows the soils to filter away from the rug and into the pad.
– An underpad will also take the stress off the foundation of the rug and can help ensure that the foundation doesn’t stretch or puncture.
The other obvious benefit of a rug pad is that it can help an area rug sit firmly on the floor and eliminate tripping hazards, which is particularly important when there are older people or children using the area.
Here are some tips to consider when choosing the right type of rug pad:
– Don’t go for the cheapest rug pad. All rug pads will deteriorate over time, but the cheaper ones will do so much quicker.
– Make sure that you replace your rug pad BEFORE it breaks down, as they can crumble and stick to the floor or the rug, causing permanent damage.
– If you have incontinent pets, you may be well advised to change the underpad more often and that may be a legitimate reason to go with a less expensive pad.
Please take the time to watch this video and contact us if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks for reading!
Mike