How to Flatten a Rug: Effective Tips to Restore Your Area Rug's Shape

Have you ever felt the excitement of getting a new area rug or freshly washing an old one, only to find it wrinkled, curled at the edges, or creased all over? Whether your rug is brand new or old, area rugs often develop creases and wrinkles when they’re rolled up for storage or transport. While these imperfections can detract from its appearance, knowing how to flatten a rug can bring it back to its pristine condition.

 So, whether your rug has just started curling at the edges, looks wrinkled after a wash, or is fresh from the warehouse, here are some effective techniques to restore it to its proper shape.

Best Ways to Flatten a Rug

Flattening a rug can be done through various methods, depending on the rug’s material and the severity of the creases. Below are some tried-and-true techniques that can help your rug lay flat again.

1. Reverse Roll the Rug

Reverse rolling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to flatten a rug. If you rolled your rug inward when transporting or for storage, simply roll it in the opposite direction. This forces the curled fibers to relax and lay flat. Depending on the rug's size and material, you may need to leave it rolled in the opposite direction for a few hours or even days to achieve the desired result.

2. Relax the Rug's Fibers with Heat or Water

Heat and moisture are excellent ways to relax a rug’s fibers. They make it easier to flatten. Here’s how:

• Steaming: If your rug’s material and quality allow, steaming can effectively remove wrinkles and creases. This method is often best left to professionals, as it requires careful handling to avoid color bleeding and other damage. However, if you decide to do it yourself, always test a small, inconspicuous area first.

• Sun-Drying: For new or delicate rugs, sun-drying is a gentle method. Spread your rug on a clean, dry surface outdoors where it can receive direct sunlight. The sun’s heat will naturally relax the fibers and eliminate creases and wrinkles.

• Pressing Iron: If steaming or sun-drying hasn’t worked, a pressing iron might do the trick. Set the iron to a low heat setting, place a barrier-like craft paper between the rug and the iron, and gently press the curled or folded areas. Be careful to avoid scorching or burning the rug, especially if it's made of synthetic materials.

• Hairdryer: A hairdryer can also be effective, particularly for synthetic rugs. Use a low to medium heat setting, hold the dryer 5-10 inches away, and move it in a sweeping motion across the creased areas.

Some of the best ways to hold your rug down include:

• Taping It Down - If you’re unsure how to flatten a new rolled rug or a wrinkled one, get a double-sided carpet tape. Carpet tapes work best where there are existing wall-to-wall carpets and hard floors. When you attach the carpet tape to the back of your rug, the tape will hold your rug in place and stick it to the floor. Once the carpet tape is firmly attached to the rug, you’ll begin to see the wrinkles and creases on your rug flatten out.

• Placing Heavy Objects on the Rug - Another effective way to flatten a new rug is to place it under heavy objects. You can place an accent rug or a small-sized area rug under your mattress and leave it there for some days to remove creases and curls. For area rugs in the living room or dining room, placing furniture on the rugs' edges can also help remove curls and wrinkles.

Other Tips on How to Flatten a Rug

• Let it settle – Spreading and flattening out a rug on the floor for a few days can help to relax the fibers and remove wrinkles, curls, or creases that may be on the rug.
• Flip the Rug Over – Many new area rugs usually have curls on their edges. Depending on the direction of the curl, gently flip the rug and fold the curly part in the opposite direction to flatten it.

How to Remove Persistent Dents from a Rug

While heat and moisture are the most common ways of removing furniture dents from area rugs, these easy tricks are ideal to rescue the stubborn ones from dents:

• Spray some water on the dented area to moisturize and relax the dented fiber. Then, dry the area with a blow-dryer on low to medium heat while fluffing the area with a dry terry towel as it dries.
• Place an ice cube on the dented area and allow it to melt there. The melted water will puff the fiber. Dry and fluff afterward.
• Spray the affected area with a wrinkle remover spray, then fluff and dry.

 How to Prevent Future Dents, Wrinkles, and Creases

If you succeed in flattening out your area rug after fighting off wrinkles and creases, you’ll want to prevent a repeat of the same situation. Remember to occasionally rotate the placement of your rug to distribute wear evenly. Heavy furniture will leave dents on your rug if left in the same position on the rug for a long time.

 You may not always have flat rugs after cleaning them but with these tips, flattening out a rug and returning it to its default shape is no longer out of reach.