Can Plastic Wrap Stop Your Rug From Slipping? Let's See If This TikTok Hack Sticks

Rugs can be a perfect addition to a room, whether used as a focal point or simply a way to tie the space together. When I add a new rug to my home, I love the way it feels underneath my feet — but the way it slides? Not so much. There are a variety of ways to secure your rug, but when I came across a TikTok hack of using plastic wrap (aka cling wrap) for a slipping rug, I was curious. Would it work? 

Anchoring a rug and preventing it from sliding is important, especially if you have an elderly family member. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "falls are the leading case of injury for adults ages 65 years and older." I don't have an elderly family member in my home, but any brand-new rug is often subject to rambunctious cat activity which means it's easy to slide all over the floor. A loose rug can cause injury at any age though, which is why you should secure your rug carefully. So it was time to see if the key to a more secure rug was in my kitchen cabinets.

The online videos don't share what brand to use, but I was already in need of plastic wrap. After a quick trip to my local grocery store, I picked up a store brand box for $2.99. As for the rug, I first wanted to try it on a new bath rug I had previously purchased, but it was already super grippy. The other rug I wanted to try was headed for my Buy Nothing Group, and all of my other rugs were pretty secure, so I finally decided on a plain indoor/outdoor rug. Best of all, it had zero grip. 

Rug chosen, it was time to place it somewhere and test this hack for myself. I decided to try this in my living room, as that area would get the most traffic, and if it worked, that's where the rug could stay. I checked social media for guidance on how much cling wrap to use and where to place it on the floor. The videos varied, but it seemed most showed the user taking out enough wrap that you would use to cover a dinner plate, then placing it on the floor. It seemed easy enough, and it appeared to work for others.

Since the TikTok examples just showed one piece of cling wrap, I tried that first. I quickly discovered that wouldn't work. I tried several sheets, thinking the rug wouldn't budge, but it certainly did. I repeated the experiment, trying it first in the corner, and then in the middle. It seemed that no matter how I placed the wrap, it wasn't going to stick and grip the floor well. It then dawned on me that this was one TikTok hack that wasn't worth the hype.

I had now wasted several pieces of cling wrap and still had a sliding rug. I was already hesitant about walking on a sliding rug, but this sealed the deal. The rug could go back in the closet until I bought some rug tape. On the other hand, it taught me a lesson about trusting TikTok, and at least my cat had something new to play on. 

The verdict is in: This TikTok hack doesn't work. Perhaps it would work for someone else with a different rug material and maybe different flooring, but I doubt it. I think, in some circumstances, it could even make the rug more slippery, which would be a major fall hazard. Not to mention, it would be a very temporary fix, since eventually the plastic wrap could wrinkle or lose its cling. I would also be concerned about what would happen if moisture accumulated under the wrap and how that might affect the floor. 

While TikTok is great for suggesting DIY projects, like hiding unaesthetic areas of your home, sometimes it has its misses. If you have a rug that won't stay put, turn to products like rug tape or a rug pad, and keep the plastic wrap for your leftovers. Not only are these products specially made to keep rugs from sliding, they also are more durable than plastic wrap, and likely don't need to be replaced as much.