Rugs made of polypropylene are among of most prominent on the market, but vinyl plank flooring does not consider them safe. The chemicals in the rug backing can react with the vinyl flooring, causing discoloration, even though vinyl floors are generally resistant to staining and scuffing.
Stains and dirt are no match for vinyl floors, known to resist damage. In addition, they are far less expensive than hardwood floors, and they come with a wide variety of options for your home’s flooring.
Polypropylene is a popular material for rugs for apparent reasons. Propylene monomer is the primary raw material used by the manufacturers. Polypropylene, the substance used to make these fabrics, is water-, UV-, and stain-resistant while also incredibly soft, flexible, and durable.
The additional layer of padding will provide extra cushioning, resulting in a more secure and comfortable experience. Low-profile, flexible, pliable, and non-slippery rug mats are ideal.
However, if you’ve already purchased a polypropylene rug before learning that it shouldn’t be used on vinyl floors, a rug cushion can help. In addition, the staining and damage that a polypropylene rug may cause to your vinyl floor can be minimized by using a rug pad that can be used on any floor.
Is Polypropylene Safe for Vinyl Plank Floors?
Wool and other heavy textile rugs are often compared to polypropylene as one of the finest materials for carpets. However, a rug’s backing chemicals can react with the compounds in vinyl to cause discoloration, even though vinyl floors usually are resistant to stains and scuffs.
Due to a chemical reaction that occurs after three to four weeks of putting them on your flooring, rubber-backed polypropylene rugs are not suitable for use on vinyl floors. The added chemicals cause this chemical reaction to give vinyl floors their gorgeous finish, such as gloss and hardness.
Even if you use latex or felt rug pads, your newly refinished vinyl flooring will develop an unsightly waffle pattern if you do. On the other hand, polypropylene-backed carpets will fade your vinyl floors over time because of the UV rays they absorb.
Ceramic tile is the most delicate flooring surface for polypropylene carpets because the ceramic tile base is resistant to abrasion and friction. However, adding a new rug to your basement doesn’t mean that you’re wasting your money.
Even if your floors are made of hardwood, vinyl, or bamboo, a polypropylene rug and pad will look great. Rug pads shield your floorboards from the wear and tear that comes with regular use.
What Kind of Rugs Are Safe for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
The best type of rug for vinyl floors is natural fibers like cotton or jute. Rugs made of polypropylene, for example, can be used, but they typically have a rubber backing, which is harmful to vinyl flooring.
As a result of the chemicals used in the manufacture of vinyl, it is a synthetic material manufactured from petroleum. Rubber and vinyl floors form a chemical reaction when exposed to heat, moisture, and even sunlight.
- Hand Woven Rugs: These rugs would not have any backing that could ruin your floors provided the product is free of dyes and additives. Cleaning this rug is also a plus since you don’t have to exert as much work as you would with a handwoven rug.
- Cotton-Backed Rugs: These types of rugs are gentle on floors and will not leave marks from wear and tear after continuous usage. Your vinyl flooring will not be stained or discolored since cotton has no chemical reaction when it encounters them.
- Colorfast Rugs: Besides hardwood flooring, vinyl floors can be covered. Heat, sunshine, or water have no effect on the chemicals or dyes in these rugs when placed on top of them.
What Should You Not Use on Vinyl Plank Flooring?
- Excess Water: Using too much water on vinyl plank flooring can have a detrimental effect. If you expose your vinyl floor to too much moisture, water can seep under the planks, damaging the glue that holds the vinyl to the floor and causing raised edges.
- Ammonia And Abrasives: Because of its strong base, ammonia should be avoided while cleaning vinyl floors because it might dull the surface’s luster. It’s possible to harm the upper surface of your flooring using these cleaning solutions, which increases the danger of your floor-breaking.
- Using Your Vacuum’s Rotary Brush: Remove the vacuum’s rotary brush head before vacuuming vinyl flooring. When using a vacuum to clean a vinyl floor, make sure it’s lightweight and portable.
- Using Brush with Stiff Bristles: When cleaning severe stains from vinyl floors, many people are inclined to use a stiff-bristled brush to make it extra shiny. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaning tools can leave scuff marks and scrapes on the floor, even if the stain is removed.
- Vinegar And Baking Soda: Some stains can be scrubbed away with the correct amount of vinegar and baking soda, but this method is far from ideal. The polish on your planks can become dull or even damaged if you use these cleaning products frequently.
Do You Need a Rug Pad on Vinyl Plank Flooring?
The market is filled with rug pads that will lay behind unattractive mesh designs on vinyl, stains, and nasty musky residue if you don’t choose carefully. However, memory foam rug pads, felt rug pads, and anchor grip rug pads consisting of silicon with felt and PVC are all safe for vinyl flooring.
To avoid yellow stains on your gorgeous vinyl plank flooring, it is best to avoid using an area rug with a rubber backing, which can damage the surface over time. Instead, there are numerous benefits to using a rug pad below it.
- Rugs stay in their original location, thanks to the dependable rug pad.
- Your vinyl flooring will be shielded from the rug’s backing.
- Thin area rugs made of cotton or wool will benefit from the added thickness provided by this product.
- It will protect the rug’s backing from deterioration due to people walking on it for long-term use.
- It will also help to prevent slips and falls, saving you the trouble of a trip to the ER.
