The way in which you dry throw rugs after laundering is vital to its longevity and usefulness. If you throw a rubber non-skid backed rug into the dryer, you will shorten its lifespan. Instead, plan on washing and air drying.
If the weather outside won't cooperate for line drying or "back deck bannister" drying, then shake the rug once or twice, turn the rubberized backing side up and place on the top of your dryer or washer to dry. The fabric portion of the rug will dry much faster than the rubberized portion, but if the rubberized side is down, it's not going to dry until air can get to it.
Do NOT place a rug on top of your dryer when in operation. I now have two matching rugs that are rubber backed and in excess of 10 years old, and there is no sign of deterioration yet because of the way I dry them.
Peel/scrape /cut /pick off the old backing. Scraping with a spackling trowel or edge of a metal spatula may work. If you heat the rug in the dryer, the warm backing may be easier to remove. If the rugs slide on the floor, purchase nonslip rug padding at a "mart" store and place under the rugs. You could also glue/sew rubber canning jar ring to the bottoms of the rugs. Always air dry these types of rugs.
OK--so I ruined the backs of my throw rugs by drying them in the dryer. Is there any way to get the hardened cracking rubber off? It just crumbles and leaves a mess wherever it goes, be it floor, washer or dryer. I shake them out and hope some day the now hard backing will all be gone, because the rug itself is still in good condition, and I'd like to keep using them. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
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