Will rubber backed rugs discolor vinyl?
This is a question that many homeowners who have installed vinyl floors often ask.
Well, the simple answer is YES.
Placing a rubber backed rug will most certainly discolor your vinyl floors.
So how does this happen?
Well, while vinyl floors are incredibly durable and easy to maintain, they are actually easily damaged by the chemicals found in rugs with rubber or latex backings.
You see, rubber (both natural and synthetic), contains chemicals that react with the chemicals inside vinyl. When this happens, your vinyl floor becomes stained.
In some cases, the discoloration may become permanent.
High-traffic areas and areas that receive direct sunlight tend to stain much faster compared to other areas.
For these reasons, itโs not really a good idea to use rubber backed rugs on vinyl flooring.
Can You Use Rubber Backed Rugs on Vinyl Flooring?
Rubber backed rugs are not safe for vinyl flooring.
The good news is that there are various types of rubber-free rugs that are completely safe for your vinyl floors.
I am going to recommend two area rugs that will pair perfectly with your vinyl flooring;
The first one is the nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug.
This rug is one of the best-selling area rugs on Amazon right now. But most importantly, itโs one of the few rugs that are actually safe for your vinyl floor.
The nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug does not have a rubber backing, and this means it wonโt discolor your floors.
So if youโre looking for a non staining rug for vinyl floor, this is an excellent choice.
The second vinyl floor safe rug is the nuLOOM Rigo Hand Woven Jute Area Rug.
This rug is made from 100% natural jute material and itโs therefore completely safe for your vinyl floors.
Jute is a truly durable material and its braided texture makes it even more long lasting.
Itโs one rug that will protect your floors while giving your home a casual, farmhouse look.
The only problem with this type of rug is that itโs actually slippery. You certainly donโt want a slippery rug as it can quickly cause slipping accidents.
In this case, you have at least two options.
One, you can place heavy furniture over this jute rug in order to keep it in place.
Two, you can purchase the RUGPADUSA 100% Felt โ Protective Cushioning Rug Pad. Placing this rug pad will help keep the slippery jute rug in place.
And since this rug pad does not contain any rubber or latex material, itโs completely safe for rubber-sensitive floors like vinyl.
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Why Do I Recommend the nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug?
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The nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug is currently one of the best-selling area rugs on amazon- and its all for the right reasons.
Besides being durable and really aesthetically appealing, this rug does not have a rubber backing.
This single feature actually makes the rug a favorite choice among homeowners who have staining-prone floors like hardwood floors, vinyl floors, laminate floors, and others.
Here are some of the reasons why I recommend it;
- ย It does not have a rubber backing- so it wonโt discolor your floors
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- ย Itโs built to last- this makes it great for high-traffic areas
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- ย It comes in a wide range of colors- choose from over 8 unique colors to match your home decor
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- ย Its resistant to spills and stains, making it an excellent choice if you have kids or pets
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- ย Itโs really versatile and beautiful as it features a beautiful Moroccan-inspired design
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- ย Itโs easy to clean and vacuum since itโs a low maintenance rug
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What You May Not Like About the nuLOOM Moroccan Blythe Accent Rug
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Every single thing about this rug is perfect. However, it does have one flaw- it has a slippery backing.
You may have noticed that a big majority of area rugs have rubber backings. Why is that?
Rubber tends to grip the surface naturally on most floor surfaces and this makes it less likely to slip.
Area rugs without rubber or latex backing tend to slip easily and therefore pose a great danger to your family.
The good news is that you can easily solve this problem by placing a 100% felt rug pad underneath the rug. The only rug pad I can recommend right now is the RUGPADUSA 100% Felt โ Protective Cushioning Rug Pad.
The rug pad basically adds some cushioning and also firmly grips the floor to prevent the rug from slipping. So be sure to get the rug pad while purchasing the nuLOOM area rug.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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1.Can You Use Latex Backed Rugs on Vinyl Flooring?
Is latex backing safe for vinyl floors?
No, latex backed rugs are not safe for vinyl flooring.
Like I stated earlier, latex backed rugs are as bad as rubber backed rugs since they cause some serious discoloration on vinyl flooring.
But if you have to buy a latex backed rug, it would be a good idea to place a felt rug pad beneath it as I have suggested above.
This will help protect your floor from getting stained when the materials in the latex backed rug react with your vinyl flooring.
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2.What Kind of Rug Pad is Safe for Vinyl Plank Flooring?
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Some rug pads have a rubber backing and are therefore not safe for use on your vinyl plank flooring.
The only rug pad that is completely safe for your vinyl plank flooring is the RUGPADUSA 100% Felt โ Protective Cushioning Rug Pad.
This rug pad does not have rubber or latex on the backing. Instead, itโs constructed with 100% felt on both sides, so you can rest assured that it wonโt discolor or stain your beautiful vinyl plank flooring.
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Will Rubber Backed Rugs Discolor Vinyl?- Bottom Line
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Rubber backed rugs will certainly discolor your vinyl floors. Thatโs why you should avoid them at all costs if you have vinyl flooring.
However, if you have already purchased the rug, you donโt need to throw it away yet.
All you have to do is purchase a felt rug pad and place it between your vinyl floor and the rubber-backed area rug. The rug pad will act as a protective shield for your sensitive vinyl floors.
Otherwise, I hope youโve learnt something from this post. Good luck!
