8 Ways To Keep A Chair Mat From Moving On Carpet

Chair mats are essential if you want to preserve the flooring beneath your desk chair. However, that doesn’t always mean that your chair mat will stay in place, especially if is on top of the carpet. So, what are the best ways to keep a chair mat from moving on carpet?

Place a felt rug pad, gripper pad, or rubber shelf liner beneath the chair mat so it doesn’t move on the carpet. Weigh down the chair mat with weights and books or clean the mat and carpet if it continually moves. Cut gripper tape and stick it to each edge of your chair mat so that it stays in place on the carpet.

You may need to replace the chair mat altogether if it is old, damaged, and won’t stay in place. Chair mats can easily become damaged due to movement or weight. Follow along as we explore the easiest ways to keep a chair mat from moving on carpet.

Non-slip backing is generally made of rubber, and that’s exactly what you need if your chair mat moves on the carpet. The rubber creates grip between the carpet and backing and from the backing to the chair mat. This will make it so that can comfortably move in your chair and you won’t have to worry about it slipping.

Some chair mats come with non-slip backing, or you can add non-slip backing to the mat yourself. Simply cut rubber to match your chair mat’s dimensions and place it underneath so that it doesn’t move. You can apply adhesive to the rubber backing so that it sticks to the chair mat if it continues to move.

Avoid backing that has claws or a rough texture so that you don’t damage your carpet. Luckily, flat rubber backing is readily available, and many chair mats come with it on the bottom already.

Felt rug pads are a subtle and harmless way to stop your chair mat from slipping on the carpet. You can lay a felt rug pad on the ground over the carpet and place the chair mat over it. Felt rug pads range in cost between $20 and $200 depending on the size.

Luckily, you won’t need a large or expensive felt rug pad for a chair mat. It may be difficult to find a felt rug pad that matches your chair mat’s dimensions. You can cut and modify an existing felt rug pad to match the size of your chair mat in that case. Otherwise, you can custom order a felt rug pad or look online for one that is compatible with your chair mat’s dimensions.

Gripper tape is a great option because it always you to cut a length that fits your chair mat. Chairs and chair mats come in various dimensions, and gripper tape allows you to improve the grip no matter the size. Measure your chair mat and cut gripper tape to match each size of the chair mat.

This will allow you to improve the grip on each side of the chair mat so that it lays perfectly. You can always remove gripper tape and adjust it if your chair mat still moves on your carpet. Gripper tape is useful whether you need to fix one problem area on your chair mat or improve the grip throughout.

Simply buy a gripper pad and place it between the carpet and your chair mat. Not all chair mats are intended to pair with each type of carpet, and gripper pads fix this problem. As the name suggests, gripper pads have plenty of grip on both sides.

The bottom of the gripper pad will hug the carpet and the top will hug the chair mat. Your chair mat will stay in place better and grip the pad beneath it for extra stability. This is one of the best ways to keep your chair mat from moving on the carpet because it works with nearly every type of carpet.

Sometimes, the best course of action is to weigh down your chair mat whether the carpet or mat itself is too slick. A chair mat cannot always grip the carpet well, particularly if it was made to go atop a different type of flooring. In that case, you’ll need to weigh down the chair mat so that it doesn’t move on the carpet.

Older chair mats tend to flair out at the edges and sides which can weaken the grip on the carpet. Use household objects such as books or small weights to weigh down the edges on your chair mat. It may not sound visually appealing, but that may be the only way to weigh it down until you reach a better solution.

However, you may be able to fix your problem if you weigh down your chair mat on each side for several hours or even days. Simply weigh down the affected areas all and leave the chair mat alone for as long as it needs. The chair mat should flatten and hopefully grip the carpet better than before so that it doesn’t move.

A dirty chair mat can be become slick and move on the carpet or flooring beneath it. In some cases, the only way to keep a chair mat from moving on carpet is to clean the mat. Grease, dirt, dust, and debris can sit on top or beneath a chair mat.

This can make the mat slick over time and it will stay that way until you clean it. Room sprays, wallflowers, perfumes, and cologne in the air can often land on the carpet and chair mat. Avoid using aerosols or greasy sprays near your chair mat as it may land on the ground and create a slick mess.

Remove the chair mat, wet it, and clean it with soap and water. Wipe the chair mat down with a dry rag and let it dry away from the carpet. Take this time to vacuum the carpet beneath where the chair mat was when you dry the chair mat.

Rubber shelf liners are an excellent alternative to gripper pads or felt rug pads. Many DIYers keep rubber shelf liners around while they work on various projects around the house or shop. The average rubber shelf liner costs $8 per roll, and it is one of the cheapest ways to keep your chair mat from moving on carpet.

Roll out the liner to the appropriate length for your chair mat. You may need to cut several lengths of the rubber shelf liner and maneuver them so that you cover all of the space between the carpet and the mat. Luckily, it is cheap and abundant enough that you won’t waste your money even if you go through a whole roll of rubber shelf liner, but that isn’t necessary.

Replace your chair mat if it is old and you’d rather not cut or buy a pad for it. While this can be a more expensive option than simple solutions like rubber shelf liners, it may be worth it. Chair mats are susceptible to wear and tear over time, and they take on a lot of cosmetic damage.

Simply replace the mat whether it’s because of cosmetic damage or because it moves on the carpet. Chair mats cost $50, on average, but you can find them for as little as $20. However, you should consider a chair mat with a strong grip so that it hugs the carpet and doesn’t move.

Look for a thick chair mat that can handle movement and enough weight for you and a chair. Avoid flimsy plastic chair mats because they are often the first to curl and flare out on the sides.

A chair mat can damage your carpet if it is too heavy or has clawed feet. Chair mats vary in thickness, weight, and texture where the mat meets the carpet. Some mats are smooth and flat whereas others are rougher and protrude more underneath.

Over time, heavy chair mats put pressure on the carpet and it can eventually damage the individual fibers. Your carpet won’t look or feel the same once a chair mat damages enough fibers. Chair mats with a non-stick backing are the least harmful and provide a strong grip.

Make sure to verify that the chair mat in question is intended for carpet. Not all chair mats are ideal for carpets, and the label should say what kind of flooring it is meant for. You can also damage a hardwood floor if you lay a chair mat meant for carpet on it.

The best way to keep a chair mat from moving on carpet is to weigh it down or put a rubber mat beneath it. Clean both sides of your chair mat if it is slick or covered in debris and dirt so that it grips the carpet better. Place a gripper pad beneath the chair mat or line the bottom of the mat with gripper tape so it doesn’t move.

Put felt rug pads over the carpet so that your chair mat doesn’t move. Otherwise, you can add non-slip backing to your chair mat so that stays in place more easily. You can also replace your existing chair mat with one that comes with non-slip backing.