How to Keep Ruggable Rugs from Sliding and Curling

December 1, 2025

Ruggable rugs have transformed the way we think about home decor, offering the perfect combination of style and practicality with their washable two-piece design. But if you've invested in one of these innovative rugs, you've likely encountered two common frustrations: persistent sliding across your floors and stubborn corner curling. These issues aren't just annoying—they create safety hazards and undermine the polished look you're trying to achieve in your space.

The good news? There's a single, straightforward solution that addresses both problems effectively: carpet tile tape. This versatile product has become the go-to fix for Ruggable owners who want their rugs to stay exactly where they belong, flat and secure.

Why Ruggable Rugs Slide and Curl

Before we explore the solution, it's important to understand what causes these problems. Ruggable's innovative design features a lightweight rug cover that attaches to a non-slip pad via a Velcro-like backing. While this system works beautifully for washing purposes, the pad doesn't always provide adequate grip on smooth surfaces like hardwood, tile, vinyl, or polished concrete. High-traffic areas, pets running across the room, and everyday foot traffic can gradually shift even a well-placed rug.

Curling is equally frustrating. The rug cover arrives rolled or folded, creating a memory in the material that resists lying flat. The corners lift up, the edges refuse to cooperate, and no amount of smoothing seems to help. Temperature fluctuations and humidity can make this worse, causing the material to contract slightly and pull away from the pad.

Why Carpet Tile Tape Is the Ultimate Solution

Carpet tile tape has emerged as the most effective solution for both sliding and curling because it addresses the root cause of both problems: inadequate adhesion between your rug and the floor. This specialized double-sided tape creates a strong, reliable bond that keeps everything in place while remaining removable enough to avoid damaging your floors.

Unlike general-purpose tape, carpet tile tape is specifically engineered for flooring applications. It features a strong adhesive on both sides that grips firmly to both your rug pad and your floor surface. The tape is designed to hold securely through daily wear and tear, yet removes cleanly when you're ready to reposition or replace your rug.

How Carpet Tile Tape Prevents Sliding

The sliding problem stems from insufficient friction between the rug pad and your floor. Even Ruggable's proprietary non-slip pad can struggle on certain surfaces, particularly those that are exceptionally smooth or have been treated with polishes or sealants.

Carpet tile tape eliminates this issue by creating a mechanical bond rather than relying solely on friction. When you apply strips of tape around the perimeter of your rug pad, you're essentially anchoring it to the floor. The tape won't budge under normal use, meaning your rug stays put whether you're vacuuming, walking across it, or dealing with enthusiastic pets.

For optimal results, apply the tape in a strategic pattern. Place continuous strips along all four edges of your rug pad, about an inch from the edge. For larger rugs or those in high-traffic areas, add a few additional strips across the middle in a grid pattern. This distributes the holding power evenly and ensures no section of your rug can shift independently.

The beauty of this approach is its versatility. Carpet tile tape works equally well on hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl, and even low-pile carpet. It adapts to your specific flooring type while providing consistent holding power.

How Carpet Tile Tape Stops Corner Curling

Here's where carpet tile tape truly shines as a dual-purpose solution. Those frustrating curled corners that refuse to lie flat? Carpet tile tape handles them with ease.

When you apply tape specifically to the corners of your rug pad, you're creating a flat, secure anchor point that prevents the rug cover from lifting. Even if the material has a strong memory of being rolled or folded, the tape holds it firmly against the floor, training it to remain flat over time.

The key is proper application at the corners. Place a piece of tape at each corner of the rug pad, ensuring it extends slightly beyond where the curling occurs. Press down firmly to create a solid bond. As the rug cover sits flat against the secured pad day after day, the material gradually releases its rolled memory and accepts its new flat position.

For particularly stubborn corners, you can use a slightly larger piece of tape or create an L-shape that covers more surface area. This provides additional holding power exactly where you need it most. Within days, you'll notice the corners staying down even without constant pressure.

Application Tips for Best Results

To maximize the effectiveness of carpet tile tape, proper application is essential. Start by thoroughly cleaning both your floor and the bottom of your rug pad. Any dust, pet hair, or residue from cleaning products will interfere with the tape's adhesion. Use a gentle cleaner and allow everything to dry completely before proceeding.

When you're ready to apply the tape, work methodically. Peel back one side of the protective backing and press the tape firmly onto the rug pad. Then remove the other backing and carefully position the rug exactly where you want it before pressing down. Once the tape makes contact with the floor, it creates an immediate bond, so precise placement matters.

For the corners, pay special attention to pressing down firmly and ensuring complete contact between the tape, pad, and floor. Use your hands to apply even pressure for at least 30 seconds at each corner.

Long-Term Benefits

Once you've secured your Ruggable rug with carpet tile tape, you'll immediately notice the difference. No more adjusting the rug multiple times a day, no more tripping hazards from lifted corners, and no more unsightly gaps between the rug and the walls or furniture. Your rug stays exactly where you placed it, maintaining the clean, intentional look you want in your space.

The tape also protects your investment. When rugs constantly shift and curl, they experience uneven wear and stress on the backing material. By keeping everything stable and flat, carpet tile tape helps extend the life of both your rug cover and pad.

Maintenance and Removal

When it's time to wash your rug cover or move your furniture, carpet tile tape removes cleanly without leaving residue or damaging your floors. Simply peel it up slowly at a low angle. If any adhesive remains, a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth will remove it easily.

After washing your rug cover, you can reapply fresh tape and enjoy the same secure, flat placement. Many Ruggable owners keep a roll of carpet tile tape on hand for quick touch-ups or when they want to move their rug to a different room.

The Simple Solution You've Been Looking For

Dealing with sliding and curling Ruggable rugs doesn't have to be complicated. While there are numerous products and techniques available, carpet tile tape stands out as the single most effective solution for both problems. It's affordable, easy to apply, and delivers immediate, reliable results that last.

By investing in quality carpet tile tape and taking a few minutes to apply it strategically, you'll transform your Ruggable rug from a frustrating problem into the beautiful, functional piece it was designed to be.