Published April 2016 | Updated March 2024

If your seagrass rug gets stuck to your floor, first know that the seagrass is not defective. The natural latex backing of the seagrass has reacted with certain chemicals in your floor and voilà, you have a mess on your hands. Usually this happens if your subfloor is wood, but it can happen with other types of subflooring as well.

The best way to avoid this unwanted bond is to ALWAYS use a rug pad underneath your seagrass. Below is more information on how to remove sticky latex from wood floors.

Removing Latex Backing that is Stuck to Your Wood Floor

SCRAPER: Use a plastic scraper to remove as much latex as possible without vigorously scraping to avoid gouging your floors.

SOLVENT: Apply a solvent to the latex rubber to soften it. Usually leaving the solvent on for about 15 minutes is plenty of time to soften the latex—any longer, and the solvent will begin to evaporate, allowing the latex to harden again. Mineral spirits are usually (but not always) safe for floors, so start with that. If that doesn’t work, then try denatured alcohol.
Our Solvent Recommendation: Murphy’s oil and soap (use with a light grade steel wool.)

BEFORE USING ANY SOLVENT: Always test the solvent in an inconspicuous area of the floor first to ensure that it will not affect the finish. You don’t want to remove, soften, or haze the existing finish. Do not proceed until you are certain that the solvent you’ve chosen won’t damage your floor. Once the latex material has been removed, make one last swipe with a clean rag or towel and a little of the (tested-for-safeness) solvent to help restore the floor’s luster. If this doesn’t work, then unfortunately the floor may need to be sanded and refinished.

PREVENTION: The Wood Floor Covering Association (WFCA) does not recommend putting anything over your wood floor with a solid rubber or latex backing. The latex doesn’t breathe, and condensation can accumulate under the non-porous material and damage the finish. Non-slip rug paddings are made with ventilation, so this isn’t an issue for non-slip products.

Consider our rug pads, they are a great investment to protect your floors, saving you hassle and money in the long run.