Can Area Rugs Damage Hardwood Floors

Whether an area rug is going to damage a wood floor depends on the fiber of the rug.

Can area rugs damage hardwood floors.

Do area rugs damage hardwood floors. The backing might be rough to cause scratches when the foot traffic causes any slight shifting. Vacuum or dry mop the hardwood floor to remove any dirt and grit that could cause scratches. The moisture from a steam cleaner damages wood flooring surfaces however so if you plan to steam clean your area rugs over hardwood floors you must do some surface preparation first.

Step 1 pick the area rugs up off the floor. Roll up the area rug and move it to one side. They will also protect the floor against moisture damage from liquid spills. If the rug needs a thorough cleaning and cannot be moved to an area with a vinyl ceramic tile or stone floor the hardwood must be protected.

Rug pads protect the hard wood prevent the rug from slipping and offer an extra cushion of support in thin rugs. An area rug can have damaging effect on your hardwood floor only when it s not protected underneath with a quality rug pad. Certain kind of rug fibers can scratch or damage wood flooring. Rubber backed mats can dull your floor s shine and even cause some discoloration.

If the rugs are large you may need to roll them to remove them from the space. They reduce dirt or sand settling through the rug that can scratch your hardwood or damage the rug. Vacuum the area rug. Roll up the rug pad and move to one side.

To protect your hardwood floor use a combination felt and rubber pad to keep your area rugs from sliding. Using the wrong rug pad rug pads are great for keeping area rugs from sliding around on hardwood floors but the wrong one can leave marks and hurt your floor. When purchasing a wood floor ask about what kind of area rugs can be added to a space and if any kind of protection such as mat should be used.