What’s a rug pad? Well, to put it simply, these are cushioned pads that are placed under a rug. They have a non-skid surface that will not only grip your rug on the top side, but also the floor on the other. Basically, with one of these rug pads, your rug won’t slip around and you won’t have to worry about slipping or any similar problems.
9 Tips for Removing Scratches from Wood Floors
There’s a downside to this though – the rug pad will leave marks on your floors. Many floor installation companies know how to deal with this problem, and thanks to the tips listed below, now you do as well.
Use a Solution Like WD-40
The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners for Spot-Free Surfaces
WD-40 is a lubricant, and is probably the last thing that you’d reach for when you have sticky rug pad residue on your concrete floor. However, it’s actually one of the best things to use. All that you need to do is spray the WD-40 onto the residue and then let it sit for a few minutes.
Run a microfiber towel over the mess to pick up as much of it as you can, and then repeat as needed. In most cases, you won’t have to do this more than two or three times.
Be careful to not let the WD-40 sit on the floor for more than a few minutes at a time, since it will seep into the concrete and stain it. If this happens, pour a little laundry detergent over the stain and cover it with sawdust or cat litter. (Yes, this is similar to what you do in order to remove oil and stains from your driveway.)
If you don’t have any WD-40 on hand, you can use any lubricant, or even things like Goo Gone or any other adhesive remover.
Use a Paint Scraper
To Save the Planet, Start Small
Depending on the type of floor that you have, you can also use a paint scraper to remove the rug pad residue. Don’t use this on tile or wood floors, as it can scratch them, but if you do decide to be brave and test this method, be very careful.
Six Reasons Shared Workspaces are Cool for Freelancers
(Most floor installation companies will simply tell you not to use this method at all.)This method works best in conjunction with the WD-40 and lubricant, since it can help with the stubborn bits of residue.
Mix Up a Vinegar Solution
How to Clean Almost Everything With Vinegar
If you have vinyl or tile flooring, then you’ll need to mix up a concoction that consists of ¼ cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish detergent, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 2 gallons of hot water.
Interior Design Basics
Soak a rag in the mixture and place it on top of the residue, then let it sink in for about five minutes. Wipe the spot with the rag or soft cloth and then repeat as needed until the residue is gone.
Avoid Getting Rug Pad Marks in the First Place
3 Problems You Avoid With A Virtual Office
Ideally, you won’t have these marks in the first place. They can be avoided fairly easily, just by picking up the rug and its pad every six months in order to clean them and the floor underneath very thoroughly.
Restoring definitely costs less than putting in a new floor.