Hello AT,
My husband just returned from Turkey with two beautiful hand-made wool rugs. One is a tightly woven dowry rug and the other is embroidered and they both require rug pads. What is the appropriate kind of pad for these kinds of rugs? Obviously, I don't want anything that will stick to the back of the rug and damage it. I would also like a little padding. Any expert advice?
Thanks! Christine
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Comments (3)
I am a long time texile (NOT rug) collector who currently has several mid/late 19th C Turkish kilims. Over many years I have used different rug pads - the thick ones the dealers sell, the cheap latex ones... all of which have either disintegrated over time or embedded themseleves in the finish of the wood floor under them. And the rugs didn't always grip the latex ones ("Flying carpets"). Currently, I'm using these http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&itemId=prod10770006 They are VERY thin, provide only minimal padding and hold onto my rugs like velcro. The rugs also lie perfectly flat, which is great. I've had mine only for about 18 months so I don't know how they'll hold up over the long term.
The biggest disadvantage is getting onto Neimand Marcus' twice a day email list - which you can ONLY get off by writin g them a letter - so be warned!
Two other things to be aware of with rugs: UV light, which will fade them, and moths, carpet beetles, etc. You can have rugs moth-proofed by any "oriental" carpet dealer for a nominal amount, and that will protect them for 3 years. Not necessarily needed if you have them out but one moth attack will make you sorry you didn't do it.
I used to sell all types of handmade carpets from flat weaves to turkish pile, persian, tibetan... we always used "pad" from Jade Industries...
http://www.rugpads.com/
from thier website
Simply stated, Rubber Anchor is the very best pad of its kind. Its performance in protecting against rug wear and preventing slipping (on both wood and tile floors) is unsurpassed by any other pad on the market.
Because it is made of 100% natural open cell sponge rubber, it holds up under the most rigorous testing, including pill tests DOC FF 1-70 and FF 2-70.
Its smooth surface eliminates the possibility of texture showing through even on the finest rugs.
Rubber Anchor will not deteriorate, disintegrate, collect dust or mildew under normal conditions. It isn't affected by dampness; it's odorless and it absorbs sound.
I recommend against thick cushion-y padding for an "area" rug. the added height will make tripping at the edges at lot more of problem. Also heavy furniture will "sink" into the padding...