A common question that a lot of homeowners often ask is โwhat kind of rugs are safe for hardwood floors.?
Well, the truth is, there are countless area rugs in the market, but not all of them are safe for your beautiful hardwood floors.
ย Just like me a few years back, a majority of homeowners have absolutely no idea that some area rugs can actually ruin their hardwood floors either by discoloring their floors or scratching them.
Well, Iโll be straightforward because I donโt want to waste your time. I am pretty sure you want the answer quickly.
The only rugs that are safe for your hardwood floors are those that do not have rubber, latex, or PVC backings.
These are the kind of rugs you will want to avoid at all costs- unless youโre willing to spend thousands of dollars replacing those beautiful and durable floors due to discoloration.
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Rubber Backed Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors- Why are they Unsafe for your Floors?
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The problem with rubber backed rugs is that they have a tendency to leave marks from discoloration especially in areas more exposed to sunlight or high-traffic areas.
You see, rubber prevents your floors from breathing so when a lot of moisture is trapped inside, it causes the chemicals in the rubber to negatively react with the chemicals in your floor finish. This causes staining which can become permanent.
Area rugs with latex backing are not safe either. Latex can trap moisture and gasses that may completely ruin your floor finishes. The floor may look dull and old.
The same goes for PVC rugs which tend to off gas and therefore react with the chemicals on your floorโs finish. Also, since they are made of hard plastic, these synthetic PVC area rugs tend to scratch hardwood floors, so youโll really want to avoid them.
Usually, these types of rugs are often very affordable. Do let their cheap price fool you. You might end up spending more money fixing or replacing your floors.
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What Kind of Rugs are Safe for Hardwood Floors?- Best Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors?
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The safest area rugs for hardwood floors are those that are made with;
- ย Natural Fiber
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- ย Wool
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- ย Cotton
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- ย And those that donโt have a rubber or latex backing
These are the best area rugs materials for hardwood floors.
If youโre looking for a really beautiful yet durable and safe area rug for your hardwood floors, I totally recommend the nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug.
There is a reason why this rug is one of the best-selling area rugs on Amazon right now;
โIt does not have a rubber or latex backing.โ
This means one thing- itโs perfectly safe not just for your hardwood floors, but also on other types of sensitive floors like vinyl and laminate.
The rug is made with 100% Polypropylene which is a very strong and durable material that will resist everyday wear and tear even in high-traffic areas.
You can place it anywhere in the house- from the kitchen, hallway, living room, bedroom and dining room. This particular rug has a neutral color palette which means it can be seamlessly integrated into any existing dรฉcor.
The rug is also easy to clean and maintain.
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Best Wool Area Rug for Hardwood Floors
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Some of the best area rugs for hardwood floors are those that are made from wool.
Wool is not only durable and easy to clean and maintain, itโs also completely safe for your wood floors- this means that it does not stain or scratch wood floors.
Wool is naturally resistant to stains and since itโs able to release moisture into the area faster and more efficiently compared to materials like rubber, it wonโt cause mold or mildew stains on your hardwood floors.
If youโre looking for the best wool area rug for your wooden floor, I totally recommend the nuLOOM Kellee Contemporary Wool Accent Rug.
The rug is made with 100% wool and the good news is that it does not have a rubber backing.
Itโs really comfortable and heavy too. If youโre worried about it slipping, you will be happy to know that this area rug is quite heavy and therefore doesnโt move as much as other synthetic rugs.
Itโs available in a wide variety of patterns so if youโre looking for an area rug that will match your home dรฉcor, choose from any one of the patterns.
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Best Jute Area Rug for Hardwood Floors
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Area rugs made with jute are some of the most popular in the market right now.
While a lot of people prefer these rugs due to their sophisticated traditional look, most often prefer them over synthetic or rubber-backed rugs because they are completely safe for their floors.
Jute rugs do not have rubber or latex backings, neither do they contain any VOCs or other chemicals that may ruin your expensive floors or even release toxic gasses in the house.
Jute rugs are completely natural and thatโs why most homeowners often find them suitable.
There are several jute area rugs in the market right now but the only one I am going to recommend is the nuLOOM Rigo Hand Woven Jute Area Rug.
The rug seamlessly integrates into your existing home dรฉcor and even comes in both square and round shapes.
Jute is a very durable fiber so you can be sure that this rug will serve you for many years to come. Cleaning is easy. It can be easily vacuumed. However, avoid exposing it to too much water as it can ruin it over time.
After washing it, ensure that itโs completely dry before installing it back to avoid rotting.
It comes in a variety of colors but you can always go for the natural brown color which has a more traditional look.
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Questions You May Have About Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors
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1.How to Choose Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors?
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Like I stated earlier, not all rugs are safe for your hardwood floors. Youโll want to avoid those that have rubber, latex, or PVC backings.
The only area rugs you should consider are those that do not have a rubber backing, those made of wool and natural materials like jute or cotton.
Besides safety, something else you should consider is the size of the room.
Make sure you get the proper dimensions of the room you intend to place the rug on.
You certainly donโt want to purchase a rug that is either too big or too small.
The good news is that most area rugs come in a wide variety of sizes which makes it easy to choose the most suitable size.
You also need to choose a suitable pattern and color that best suits your taste, preferences, and home dรฉcor.
And of course, make sure that the rug youโre purchasing is strong and durable. High-quality rugs can last many years with just good care and maintenance.
The good news is that there are countless high-quality area rugs that are quite affordable and a great value for your money. A good example is the rugs Iโve recommended right above.
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2.Should You Use Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors?
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Hardwood floors are some of the best and most durable types of floors. These floors even increase your home value so if you ever need to sell your home, youโll surely get a tidy sum.
However, to keep your floors in shape and protect them against scratches, dents, nicks, scuffing, and dullness, itโs important that you place a high-quality area rug on it.
An area rug basically creates a protective shield on your floor to prevent damage especially in those high-traffic areas.
Additionally, an area rug adds some cushioning which provides luxurious comfort to your feet, not to mention keeping the room a little bit warm as opposed to bare wood floors.
So yes, itโs highly advisable that you place an area rug on your elegant hardwood floors.
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What Rugs to Use on Hardwood Floors?- Bottom Line
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Hopefully, youโre now in a better position to choose a suitable rug for your hardwood floors.
There are many good area rugs for hardwood floors so donโt make the mistake of purchasing rugs that may end up doing more harm than good.
Good luck and have a great time!
