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Will Area Rugs Scratch Hardwood Floors? 

A lot of area rugs scratch hardwood floors.

To tell if your area rug is going to scratch a hardwood floor try this simple "Knuckle Test".

Turn the corner of an area rug over so the backside of the rug is facing the ceiling. Then rub your knuckles along the back of the rug with a little pressure.

If this rubbing hurts your knuckles and feels like it will take you skin off, the rug will scratch your floor.

The test to see if area rugs scratch hardwood floors?

The way to prevent the rug from scratching your hardwood floor is by providing some pad or cushioning underneath the rug.

The first type of pad you can get is a mesh style type that is made of extruded rubber. This type works really well in keeping the rug from moving an holds it up off the floor.

The only caution we have is not to buy a cheap brand you can usually find in a big box store. The cheap version of this product tends to break down and turn to powder - resulting in the rug touching the floor and possibly scratching it.

Fine high quality hand knotted rugs like this Persian rug displayed in the picture below DOES PASS the knuckle test and will not scratch your hardwood floors.

However what you will find is that these rugs will easily slip and slide all over the floor making it dangerous for anyone walking on them.

With these rugs we suggest you use a much thicker pad which has a rubber scrim along the backside to hold the rug in place and prevent sliding.

The kind of pad to put under an area rug - call Luv-a-rug
With a thicker premium rug pad under your rugs you also get these additional benefits: Your rug pad protects the floor, stops rugs from sliding, reduces noise from heavy footsteps, insulates the floor, makes the rug last longer and more comfortable to walk on.

If you have any questions about the your area rugs be sure to use your cell phone to text us your name, a picture of the rug and your questions to this phone number: 778-533-7847

Dusty Roberts

Luv-A-Rug Team Leader


Stephen "Dusty" Roberts is one of the most experienced and qualified area rug carpet cleaners in Canada.   He has completed the Master Rug Cleaner program with the Oriental Rug College Program, he is a Senior Fellow of Academy of Oriental Rug (AOR), is IICRC certified, and Wool Safe Certified.  He is an Industry Speaker at conventions, Rug Cleaning Trainer and Business Coach. Dusty has traveled all over the USA and to Australia, England, Turkey and many other European countries learning and teaching about area rug history, identification and proper cleaning.  He is also a noted oriental rug appraiser.  Discover more about Stephen "Dusty" Roberts at our About Us Page