DIY Carpet Binding Tape

Trim each edge of the carpet to create a clean edge. Use a utility knife and a metal straight edge to get the cleanest edges. Remove loose threads and backing with scissors.

Remove the roll of instant carpet binding from its packaging. Find the end of the tape and create a clean edge to begin the binding process. Cut straight across and through the tape and piping with sharp scissors.

Place the carpet on the floor face up and sit down on top of the carpet facing the middle of an outer edge (not a corner). Place all tools on the floor in front of the starting point.

Unroll several feet of the binding tape and remove the protective backing. The tape should be a combination of piping and a stiff fabric lip that has sticky tape attached to the lip.

Lift the carpet a few inches from the floor at the middle point of the starting edge and place the sticky, exposed side of the tape against the underside of the rug while at the same time pushing the piping against the carpet edge. Press the carpet down on top of the tape and against the floor to adhere the binding tape to carpet backing.

Move along the raw edge of the carpet and continue the attachment process. Stop once a corner is reached and place the carpet on the floor. The tape needs to be molded around the corner of the carpet, but first you must nip the tape with the scissors so the fit is tight and clean.

Using the unbound carpet edge as a guide, snip the tape up to the piping. Do not snip the piping or the binding product will be severed and the process will need to be started over from the beginning.

Remove a foot of protective backing from the loose tape and lift up the carpet. Grasp the loose binding product in one hand and wrap it around the corner of the carpet. Push the piping against the raw edge of the carpet and attach the sticky part of the tape to the underside of the carpet as before. Press the carpet to the floor to adhere the tape and continue attaching the instant binding around the carpet until all edges are covered.

Return to the starting point with the piping and tape still connected on one end to the larger roll of binding product. Lift the rug and pull the binding toward the next corner and slightly under the starting point. Place the carpet back down on the floor with the loose binding underneath. Stop and examine the result. The original beginning point sits on top of the uncut loose binding -- its cut edge is exposed. Use the exposed edge as the marker or guide for where to snip the binding off the roll. Both the piping and sticky tape will need to be cut to completely sever the tape from the roll. The two ends of binding should butt up against each other.

Adhere the two ends with a drop of hot glue placed between them. Push the two ends together and hold a few seconds so the glue binds them completely.

Complete the binding process by placing a thin bead of hot glue in the seam between the piping and the rug's raw edge. Work in 6-inch increments by drawing the bead of glue in the seam, putting the glue gun down and pressing the two surfaces together so the glue seals the seam.

Continue the gluing process until all binding is completely attached to the rug edges.