Quality rug pads can help stop a rug from scratching ... Hybrid rubber or felt pads generally perform the best and are the safest for hardwood flooring, but they also cost the most.

Before you reach for the mop, learn what's right for your floor. An expert shares her best tips on how to deep clean hardwood floors the right way.

But if you've ever used a rug on a bare floor, you know that one wrong step can send you sliding like a clown on a banana ...