Is there any way to fix a crumbling underside of a rug?

The jute the carpet is weaved on is decomposing. No way to repair. I had the same problem. Rugs looked good on the surface but crumbling underneath. I just threw them out and replaced the.

Hi Cheryl,

You could try spray adhesive, but that may make things worse. Good luck to you!

Lauren - The Little Lake Cottage

You could try to spray adhesive a rubbery rug pad to the bottom.

Some time ago I read of something you can spray on the back of rugs that keeps them from slipping.....ask a hardware store and explain your problem. Maybe that will help but sounds like Morgan has the best idea.

You can also buy a can of liquid latex and paint the underside. I'd recommend brushing off as much loose, dry latex as possible first.

This is probably not jute and that rug is probably polypeline. That aside, It's a plasticsized latex as an integral factory backing.

I would vacuum the back of the rugs frequently until you determine if they're going to ever slow down in their backing decaying long enough to put another coating or backing on them, as well as determine how much they're worth to you, as compared to the costs of repairing them.

Hi! My rug did this in my office. What a mess cleaning up all that dried nonslip backing. I was able to clean the rug and then put it on a rug pad. I really liked that rug, or I wouldn't have done all that work! I scrubbed the remaining stuff off after vacuuming, vacuumed again and then steam cleaned it. It lasted for a couple more years before I had to replace it. I don't buy the ones with nonslip backing, now, unless it's a runner. For room size rugs I invest in a well made rug pad these days. Good luck!