I know! Right?

I've actually used a very thin, light waffle weave that I purchased from Home Decorators before they were acquired by HD. I've used for many years on wood floors of all kinds and never left a mark. It's just enough to prevent slipping and sliding. I've also purchased a number of decent inexpensive wool rugs from Home Decorators - how I got onto the waffle weave. Their rugs seemed to disappear for a while after the HD acquisition but you can now find them on the HD website, brand Home Decorators.

I have one of the thin cheap waffle weaves under a Pottery Barn

rug in my DR. Actually, it is layered,......I have an ancient same type waffle that I used many years ago under a country braided rug. I take a peek occasionally....no problems. It could be because I have a semi-gloss poly finish on my old floors. Mine came from JC Penny.

My DD us s the same type pad under a nice rug on high end prefinished flooring in her previous home with no problems.

I place furniture on most of my area rugs and leave the walkways clear.

I've had good luck with an anti-slip floor tape. I found it at HD; it's made by Roberts: Robers Rug Traction Anti-Slip Rubber Tape.

Rug padusa.com
They have good descriptions so you get the right cushion and grip needed without marking the floors.

I have not had any luck with th thin waffle weave and it loses its grip.

We got some great fabric/dense foam underlay, cut to our carpet size from a Persian rug vendor. I don’t know the name of it. I need to get other carpets fitted.

Nice carpet, btw.

I just put a thick, reversible pad from Rugstudio.com under a runner in a high traffic area. It is staying put quite well.

When I read your headline, I though "sounds like a few dates I had"!

I have marks on my floor from waffle pads AND they also don't seem to hold a flat weave rug. I suck it up now and use the heavier ones for everything except the rug under our bed which is on a waffle pad. I can't imagine what that floor will eventually look like!

Great hearing all your experiences and ideas. Spanish...you cracked me up. 😝 I remembered we have an oriental rug shop nearby ...bet they’ll have a proper one.