Hi Katie,
The resources that I found recommended synthetic padding, which provides a good barrier between the rug and the floor and is also inhospitable to pests.
The Victoria & Albert Museum's Carpet and Rug Care guidelines suggest "a synthetic underlay, such as polyfelt, beneath carpets and rugs if they would otherwise lie on stone or floorboards. This protects them from abrasion and from being stained by floor finishes (e.g. wax) and also reduces the risk of insect infestation. Traditional woollen underfelt is very attractive to moths and carpet beetles and can harbour infestation."
National Park Service guidelines add that "Some synthetic padding (Dacron polyester) has a non-skid surface that is placed against the floor to prevent the rug from slipping. Avoid rubber non-skid pads, jute, and horsehair."
Since you will be placing furniture on the rug, you might also consider advice from the Wintherthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation's Attics and Basements and Closets, Oh My! Part 7: Rugs and Carpets that "The use of furniture cups is recommended to mitigate the deformation of the carpet's pile. If commercial furniture cups cannot be purchased, small discs of archival corrugated cardboard can be used in place."
I recommend reading through each of these resources for more information on how best to care for your rug, and please write again if you have more questions!
Rebecca
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Rebecca Smyrl
Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
Assistant Conservator for Special Collections
UNC Chapel Hill Libraries
Chapel Hill NC
(919) 962-4250
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-13-2022 11:54
From: Katie Guttman
Subject: Museum Quality Rug Pad
Hi everyone,
I'm currently looking for information on how to create a conservation-quality rug pad for a rug in a historic house museum. This rug is quite large and will have furniture sitting on it, if that affects the type of rug pad used. All of the information I've been able to find online has been for making rug pads for personal use in the home. Thanks in advance!
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Katie Guttman
Museum Specialist
Great Basin Institute/Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boulder City NV
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