How to Keep Chair Mat from Sliding on Carpet?

Chair mats can be a great addition to any established or new business. Having a chair mat under your office chair will protect your carpeted floor. The mats are specifically designed for use with moving furniture such as desk chairs, dining chairs, and other types of seating.

In addition to protecting the floor, chair mats protect the wheels and bottoms of chairs. A common complaint by users of chair mats is they slide or move when trying to walk out of the chair.

While this may seem an annoyance, how do you keep the chair mat from sliding on the carpet? Having tried a few things, I have some suggestions to help you stop the chair mat from sliding on the carpet.

Why Does My Chair Mat Move on the Carpet?

The primary reason mats move when placed on a carpet is their construction. Mats comprise two layers glued together and then cut into the desired shape.

The top layer is made of slippery material to make it easier for people to clean the floor without causing any damage to the floor surface. The material in the bottom layer grips the floor so that the mat stays in place and does not shift when people walk on it.

When stepping on this mat on a carpeted surface, there’s enough grip to keep it in place but not enough to prevent it from moving around.

There are two main reasons why chair mats move.

Reason 1

First, there is friction. The chair mat does not have a static charge, nor does the carpet. What you’re feeling is caused by friction between the two materials. If you roll the chair over the mat, friction between it and the carpet causes pressure to build underneath it.

This pressure pushes against the bottom of the mat, causing it to slide across the carpet. Your weight is slightly imbalanced during this movement, which creates a force that pushes you forward slightly and might damage the carpet.

You feel this as an uncomfortable bump under your feet. If you’re sitting in your office chair and trying to work, this can be very distracting.

Reason 2

Static electricity is another reason for this. The fibers in a carpet are good conductors of electricity, so when they rub together, they create static electricity.

In most cases, this charge is minimal and doesn’t last long, so it doesn’t hurt anyone or anything, but sometimes it’s enough to cause minor problems as this one did.

9 Effective Ways to Prevent Chair Mat Sliding on Carpet

The most effective way to keep your chair mat from sliding on a carpet is to place double-sided tape or anti-slip gripper pads under it. But that’s not all. I have nine simple ways to prevent your chair mat from sliding on carpeted office floors.

1. Choose a Mat With Rubber Backing

Choosing a mat with rubber backing is the best way to ensure your chair mat stays in place. Rubber is excellent because it doesn’t deter from the look of your room or office and is also a lot stickier than other materials.

It will keep the mat in place even if a chair or table leg accidentally bumps it. As rubber mats are so sticky, they can be easily removed and repositioned if you need to move them.

2. Select a Mat With a Gripper or Claw Backing

A raised pattern on the back of the mat is called a gripper or claw. Chair mats sometimes have a gripper backing that keeps them in place on carpets and other soft surfaces. Many have a claw backing instead, which provides a better grip on the floor.

Chair mats of this type are more expensive than regular ones, but they provide better traction and keep the chair from moving on carpeted floors. To move the mat, grab it from underneath so the raised portion faces you and pulls it toward you.

3. Your Mat Should be of Good Quality

It is important to focus on the quality and durability of the chair mat and its appearance. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to charge a high price for a low-quality product, but you should avoid this.

Your mat must be of good quality. Most mats are made of plastic or rubber, and most are very thin and slippery.

It will help if you buy chair mats that are thick and durable. Chair mats of this type provide a good grip on carpeted floors and help keep them clean.

4. Use an Anti-Skid Underlay

A non-skid underlay is the easiest way to keep chair mats from slipping on carpets. Various sticky sheets are available in different thicknesses, which you can cut to any size and adhere directly to the carpet, preventing chair mats from moving.

Anti-skid underlays come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, so you can find one that best suits your needs.

5. Make Your Mat Weigh Down

The majority of chair mats are made of rubber or plastic. They are relatively light, and they can easily slide on carpeted floors. You will need to weigh it down to keep your mat from shifting.

Place a cinder block or other heavy object on the mat. As your office chair is placed in your office, it’s best to put a stack of books on your mat to prevent slipping. Whatever you use, make sure it’s lightweight enough to carry.

6. Choose a Suitable Tape

Another solution is selecting a suitable tape for your chair mat. You will be amazed at how tapes can cause more trouble than they solve when they peel off the floor or leave behind an adhesive residue.

You need to find the tape that will hold onto the carpet but allow you to easily remove it later without damage if you ever have to move it.

The strength of the tape will be determined by its thickness. Measure your chair mat’s thickness and compare it to the chart provided by the tape manufacturer that details the thickness of their product line.

Find a tape with a higher thickness than the overall thickness of your mat. This way, it can hold your mat in place without slipping.

You can also use double-sided tape if you have a thicker mat. This way, you will add an extra layer of protection between your carpet and the bottom of your chair mat.

7. Pick the Right Mat Based on Your Environment

In the past, I worked at my desk every day on a thin plastic mat. It was cheap, it was effective, and it worked well. As soon as I saw other employees entering my office, I decided to invest in something better.

Choosing a mat that is appropriate for your room depends on its traffic. If your room is busy, your mat may see heavy use. Use a thicker mat made of rubber or other material that can withstand heavier traffic without giving way.

As well it’s essential to consider other factors like whether your mat will be exposed to wet conditions at times. By doing so, you will choose the right mat that is less slippery.

8. Keep Your Chair Mat Clean

The easiest way to prevent your chair mat from sliding is to clean it. Mats can become even slicker due to dirt, hair, moisture, and other debris. Maintaining your chair mat will decrease the likelihood of sliding around and may even prevent damage to your floor.

By keeping it clean and attractive, you can also extend the life of your chair mat. Keeping your chair mat clean is as simple as sweeping it regularly with a broom or vacuuming it periodically.

9. Use Furniture Pads

Furniture pads that adhere to the bottom of your chair mats can reach cushy your worker’s feet.

Put them underneath the feet of your chair mat, between the carpet and the bottom of the chair mat. It may seem simple, but it works. It will keep your carpet as clean as possible and prevent your chair mat from sliding on the carpet.

Nonetheless, if you don’t apply the furniture pad, the mat might slide around on your carpeted floor instead of staying in place.

Final Words

The above article has a staggering amount of advice on how to stop the office mat from sliding on the carpet. However, if your chair mat doesn’t stay on the carpet, you need a higher quality, more ergonomic chair mat.

It’s important to choose a chair mat designed specifically for carpets. If you get one that isn’t suited to your floor, it might start sliding around and make a mess in your workspace.

If it tips over, it can be dangerous as well. A chair mat isn’t only good for productivity and can save you money by protecting your retail or office space.