A floor mat is a great way for businesses to welcome customers and elevate the appearance of the workplace.
What isn’t so great is when a floor mat bunches up, slips, or slides and poses a risk for injury. No one wants to step onto a floor mat that is not properly secured to the vinyl floor beneath and have the rug slip right along with them.
The following 6 ideas, tips, and products will help keep that floor mat from sliding, reduce the potential for injuries or accidents and add to the look of the overall space.
There are a variety of ways to keep a rug in place ranging from simple and quick DIYs, to adding products designed to hold it in place, or calling a professional that can offer commercial floor mats designed specifically with non-slip technology.
A popular solution to a slippery floor mat is the use of non-slip strips or rug grips. The two function similarly but vary in shape and placement.
Rug grips are most commonly placed on the underside of the floor mat in the corners. Non-slip strips are placed across the bottom of the mat.
The non-slip strip or grip is normally made up of a silicone material that creates friction against the floor. The friction it creates is what keeps the mat securely in place.
The advantage to both options is that neither create any additional bulk or bumps in the floor mat. This allows the floor mat to remain flat against the floor just as it was before placing the strips.
An easy, off the shelf solution is a gripper pad or non-slip underlay. It can be found in the rug section of any big box store, so the convenience alone makes this a well-liked option.
The pad either comes in a roll that can be cut down to size or can be purchased to match the size of the existing mat it will be securing.
The underlay is placed beneath the floor mat, so it sits between the floor and the mat. The rubbery surface of the non-slip padding grips both the rug and the flooring when pressure is applied. When someone steps across the mat it grips both surface and is unable to slip and slide.
The downfall to using the off the shelf underlay is that it can be made of a rubber material that contains a chemical that may stain or harm vinyl flooring.
Another quick and easy fix for a slippery floor mat is double-sided carpet tape. Using double-sided tape is as easy as it sounds. Simply peel off the backing on one side of the tape and attach it to the floor. Peel off the second side of backing, once it is attached securely to the floor, and place the floor mat on top.
The adhesive used for a commercial tape versus residential carpet tape is extraordinarily strong. Be sure the product selected is a product that is safe for vinyl flooring. That will ensure it does not leave any residue behind.
To keep a larger floor mat in place, strips of carpet tape should be placed across the floor to match the width of the mat. If the floor mat is on the smaller side, placing tape in each corner will be sufficient to keep it place.
Just like the rug grip or non-slip strips, hook and loop strips attach to the mat at either the corners or in strips across the underside of the mat. The difference is that the hook and loop system requires two pieces to attach. The hook and loop attach to each other where one is attached to the mat and the other to the floor. Once the two are pushed together a tight hold is achieved.
The difference between using hook and loop and the rug grip is that the hook and loop pieces attach to the floor and the mat making it a more permanent option. If you are hesitant about adhering anything to the floor, then the hook and loop may not be the right option.
One advantage to using hook and loop is that it will hold tighter than the grips and strips. Another advantage is that the mat can be detached and moved when needing to clean under the floor mat.
The only drawback is, as mentioned, is that if the mat will be moved, the strips will then need to be removed and the hook and loop may leave an adhesive residue on both the floor and the mat.
Using what is already on hand is another option. Using the weight of the furniture will secure the floor mat so it will not slip and slide.
This solution is only an option if the floor mat is in an area where the furniture could readily be added to secure it. The floor mat would also need to be in an area where the placement of furniture would not interfere with the purpose and placement of the floor mat.
If all the other options discussed so far are too permanent, or require too many additional products, then consider the purchase of a new non-slip floor mat.
A non-slip floor mat is by far the simplest solution. Floor mats are available that are already equipped with a special non-slip technology.
This solution works if a floor mat has not already been purchased. Opting for a non-slip floor mat from the start is the way to go.
Purchasing a non-slip mat ensures no additional products need to be put down or attached to the mat, and the mat will stay securely in place wherever you want to place it.
Out of the 6 ideas, products and tips covered, choosing the best option for your needs will ensure that slippery floor mat will remain in one place.
Keeping a floor mat secure will lend a better look to the overall space and reduce the potential for injuries or accidents.
Alsco knows floor mats. Reach out to Alsco today.
I really wanted these to work, but the tips bent and rendered useless after trying to install.
When you take the Eagle Claw out of the package they seem to be well made and comes with an instruction sheet,
the 'claw', little bolt and a washer that may/may not be used depending upon your purpose. I was installing in a 2006 Pontiac Vibe and using factory floor mats. I was excited because the Vibe already has holes/grommets in their drivers side mat along with hooks that were attached to the carpet. Great setup for about 2 1/2 years until holes widened a bit and the clip harness kept popping out. I stumbled upon these and thought - 'These definitely look like they'll work.'
The good news was that the bolt was able to go through the factory mats holes and the 'claw' attached quickly and easily to the bolt. Bolt top does have a slot for tightening and easily done with a coin In my case handily available in my change compartment.
The bad: per instruction, I put both claws on my mat, standing outside of the car I placed the mat in it's spot and positioned. I then got in the Drivers seat careful not to touch the claw or move the mat. I then took my right heel and pressed down on the right/inner claw. At first I didn't feel anything and then pressed harder and then I felt a little give.
Great! it was seated. Did the same with my left foot, but this side didn't engage. I gently lifted the mat and the left side wasn't attached and the right side easily retracted with what I could tell was 1, maybe 2 of the claws engaged.
I took a closer look and noted right away that several of the claws had bent inward and ready to fall off. I repeated the steps but had no luck only bending several more of the claws rendering the product useless.
This is a cheap enough item, but frustrating that it didn't work. Oh, because of the factory hole for the previous hook I could feel that there was ~1/4" of padding underneath. Maybe this isn't enough for this product to work. Maybe I missed a note stating that you needed more padding.
For the sub 10buck price this may be worth a shot for holding down your mat, unfortunately in my instance it did not work. I did not bother to contact the manufacturer about replacement, even though I felt that I attempted to install per directions.
*** If I had to do it all over again I probably would have tried the alternate install option with a hammer. Line up product, hold in place, remove bolts, lift up mat, reattach bolts while keeping claw in place and then hammer middle and then each spline. I dunno, just thinking outside of the box.