Protecting Your Floors, Caring for Your Rugs (lots of Eye Candy Too!)

Rugs are artwork for your floors.  I have spent weeks agonizing over choosing a rug for my home.  I want something that is gorgeous (obviously), high quality, will last forever, and made with ethical standards.
via Pinterest via Style Me Pretty
While a high quality rug doesn't require a ton of maintenance, there are still steps you should take to ensure it will stay looking gorgeous for years to come.  I always save the care tags off of my rugs to refer to them from time to time.  I also vacuum once a week WITHOUT the agitator on, and spot clean immediately with eco-friendly, gentle rug cleaner.  For tough stains, DO NOT RUB stains out, rather PRESS them out.  (Put an absorbent cloth or paper towels over the treated stain, also several layers under the rug to protect your floor, place heavy objects on top of the cloth or paper towels and leave over night.)
via Pinterest via his and hers
Another huge must have is a good rug pad.  For years I used those cheap white "waffley" rug pads, and I was always left with rumbly rugs and weird residues left on my floors.  That's why I was super excited when the folks at Rug Pad Corner got in touch with me to see if I'd be interested in learning more about their pads.
They offer premium felt and rubber pads with NO adhesives (meaning no residue left on your floor). They also use heat to attach the rubber to the felt, so you get no off-gassing or smell.  I jumped on the opportunity to try these out and was instantly impressed with the quality.  My rugs are also laying flatter now, and the thickness of the pad gives the rug a more luxurious feel.
After thoroughly cleaning the floor I laid down the pad where the rug would go.
Both sides of the pad.  The side that goes against the wood is very soft.

My rug on top - looking great!
The back of the non-slip pad, which I haven't laid down yet, because it will go in my office and we are having hardwood floor installed.
Learn all about these rug pads and more products at RugPadCorner.com.
*disclosure: just so you know, I received rug pads from Rug Pad Corner in return for this post.  All opinions are my own and I only work with companies or products that I think will be of interest to you!
Okay, now for shopping..
 I want one of these fuzzy guys... at Joss & Main (in the Warm Up the Room Rug sale)
LOVE the colors here... at Joss & Main (in the Warm Up the Room Rug sale)
at Joss & Main (in the Traditional stitches sale)
at Joss & Main (in the Take a Stand sale)