Many customers do not realize how important it is to purchase an area rug pad when shopping for a new area rug. An area rug pad provides benefits such as keeping your area rug from slipping, thus making the rug safer in your home, and adding an extra level of cushioning so your rugs remain soft underfoot.
Oftentimes, it’s difficult to find a rug pad that is the exact match in size with your area rug. It is actually quite common to find that your recently purchased area rug pad has an overhang. The following list of directions aims to provide an easy step-by-step process in trimming any area rug pad so that it fits with the area rug you have in mind.
Step 1: Measure and mark the location on the floor
Before you roll out your area rug pad and area rug, measure and mark the location on the floor with some sticky or washi tape. This will ensure your area rug and rug pad will be placed in the exact space you want on the floor. If you are planning on placing your area rug beneath any furniture, remove the furniture before starting this process.
Step 2: Lay out your area rug and rug pad
Using the washi tape as a guide, roll out your area rug pad and place the area rug directly on top. Smooth down any air bubbles that might be trapped between the pad and the area rug.
Step 3: Wait 1-2 days before trimming
If you can live with a mismatched area rug and rug pad on the floor for a couple of days, I strongly recommend this step! It gives time for the area rug’s fibers to “relax” and for the rug pad to settle on the floor. If you need to put your furniture back quickly, wait at least 1-2 hours for the rug pad and area rug to settle before taking the next step on the list.
Step 4: Trim vertically with fabric cutting scissors
While household scissors will work to trim the Dual Surface Area Rug Pad by Mohawk Home, a heavy duty pair of scissors, like these fabric-cutting scissors, will make it easier. Starting vertically, use the stitching on the sides of the area rug as a guide and cut through the area rug pad. Then, fold back the area rug and cut an additional inch or two inches off the rug pad so that the edges of the rug will easily taper to the floor.
Step 5: Trim horizontally (with fabric cutting scissors)
Once you’ve trimmed the area rug pad vertically, smooth down the area rug and work on trimming horizontally.
Step 6: Vacuum & Return Furniture
Once you’ve finished trimming your rug pad, vacuum the rug to remove air bubbles and so the rug lays flat against the area rug pad.
That’s all it takes to trim your area rug pad so that it fits perfectly beneath your area rug!
Have any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments!
