Asked on Apr 17, 2014

How can I salvage a favorite throw rug?

Lea Grabb
by Lea Grabb
I have an Americana rug that I love....stars and stripes. I have shopped and shopped and I cannot find anything to replace it. The rubber type backing is crumbling. I don't put it in the washing machine of course....just kind of spot clean it and use the shampooer when necessary. Is there someone way I can cover the back. I even thought of duct tape but I dont' think the tape would stick because of the dusty shedding it does. If I could find a large piece of something sticky I could maybe extend it's life. Any ideas?
  16 answers
  • Diane Woods Diane Woods on Apr 17, 2014
    Is there a way to attach another area thin rug underneath it, or maybe felt?
  • Janet Smith Janet Smith on Apr 17, 2014
    I would use a heavy canvas fabric and stitch it to the back of the rug after pulling off as much of the rubber backing as possible. Fold the canvas under 1/2 inch to give it a finished edge and using your sewing machine with a heavy duty needle, stitch it to the back of the rug with a wide zig-zag stitch and a heavy duty thread in the same blue color as the narrow border on your rug. Alternately, you could sew the backing on by hand, using an upholstery needle. You may need some needle-nosed pliers to help pull the needle through the two thicknesses. It would be time consuming, but it will save your rug.
  • Darlene Clonts Darlene Clonts on Apr 17, 2014
    get some spray glue 24 and a piece of burlap and glue both surfaces together and stitch
  • Martha Sims Martha Sims on Apr 18, 2014
    Non-Skid rubber shelf paper
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Apr 18, 2014
    Why do you want to back it with something?So its not slippery? What about a nonstick bathmat for a bathtub or the nonslip shelf paper that sort of looks likehoneycomb?any way to attach that? with my small area rugs, I might machine wash , but never dry, I just hang to dry. And if thwy aren't stained or dirtyI just vacuum them.
  • Robin Smith Robin Smith on Apr 18, 2014
    I had that same rug. Gave it to my son and daughter-in-law. Even though my living room is all Americana. But I never had a problem with the back.
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Apr 18, 2014
    there is a paint that is rubber like i bet you could paint the back and it would make all the loose stuff stick too i hope so this is a great rug xx
    • Jac Jac on Apr 25, 2014
      @This would be my choice. My understanding is that you want to "restore" a backing - not simply keep it from slipping. There well may be other products but I'd check the rubberized coating designed to coat tool handles...Grip It ?
  • Karen Mortimore Karen Mortimore on Apr 19, 2014
    clear caulk will work if it's slipping or need the weight to hold it straight ( this will eventually wear off also.. many years ago we sewed rubber canning rings on the corners to keep rugs from sliding
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Apr 19, 2014
    If you look at Home Depot they have sheets of of non-slip fabric that is designed to keep your rugs from slipping. I have sewn this into homemade rugs to add bulk and prevent the rugs from slipping. It is somewhat difficult to sew as this fabric tends to stick to your sewing machine; but by adding a piece of paper you can do it. So you have three layers while sewing: your rug, the non-slip fabric and the paper. After sewing, you simply pull the paper off. Good luck.
  • Patty Patty on Apr 21, 2014
    I have used the rolls of rubber drawer liners and just used spray adhesive to glue to the back of rugs. You can get them cheap at the dollar stores for a dollar a roll and they come in different colors. Take your rug outside and brush off as much of the old backing as possible and use the spray adhesive outside. It is easy and your rug will last a long time. One thing I do is after I have brushed the loose backing off I spray the adhesive on let that dry (that will keep it from crumbling underneath the liner) then I measure and cut the liner to fit, then apply the spray adhesive as I need it when applying the liner.
  • Karen Hackett Karen Hackett on Apr 21, 2014
    Hobby Lobby sells rubber backing for rugs.
  • E E on Apr 25, 2014
    there is actually a brush on liquid product to use on the back of rugs that slid or skid. I'd suggest you wash it on gentle, get most of the old rubber off that's coming off, and apply this product. I wish I could remember the name, but I don't. A google search should nail that down.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jul 01, 2014
    Why don't you get one of those thick pads you put under rugs on hardwoods? Cut it about 1" shorter than this run all the way round. I have never had trouble with my rugs not staying in place on these. Good luck. Love your rug!
    • See 3 previous
    • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Feb 05, 2015
      @Terri Nothing required at all! Somehow the rug magically stays on the pad. You can actually buy these pads at Target, WalMart or any place that sells rugs...Home Depot, Lowes. They are folded and come in a package much like a sheet. They are cut with scissors. If your rug does not want to hold onto the pad, you could use heavy duty double face tape. If you have a scrap of old padding for carpet, that would work too!
  • Lea Grabb Lea Grabb on Jul 01, 2014
    Thanks everyone. I did the spray on glue and applied burlap and it is working great for now.....no more crumbling backing. I wish I could find some rugs just like it!!
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Jul 04, 2014
    Try Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. They have an online site as well. It's an entire catalog of Americana and country items.
  • Terri Terri on Feb 05, 2015
    Thank you for your help!