Why Do Rugs Get Creased or Curled?
There's nothing more frustrating than a brand new rug that's not sitting flat in your living space. Many rugs, including many new rugs, have been stored folded or rolled for a long period of time, meaning your new area rug may have creases and wrinkles or curling corners and edges when placed on the floor.
Humidity in the environment may cause your Moroccan rug to dampen and result in curled rug edges. Other reasons your rug may not lay flat include: the rug material, thickness of pile, having a rug in high traffic areas or even fluctuations in temperature.
There are many ways to approach the flattening process and get rid of existing creases.
So let's take a look at a few tips on how to flatten a rug that are inexpensive and easy to find the right rug method for you.
What You’ll Need to Flatten a Rug
There are plenty of simple household items you can use to flatten a rug. Make sure you have a look at what's on hand before you go out and buy extra supplies as you'll find you have some of these materials on hand already.
Equipment, Tools and Materials
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heavy items such as heavy books, heavy furniture, weights or tools
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clothes iron
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hairdryer
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spray bottle
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steam cleaner
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rug tape or double sided carpet tape (these also come in handy to stop your rug from moving on carpet or hard surfaces)
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non slip rug pad
How to Flatten a Rug: 6 Different Methods to Try
Whether you're unwrapping a new rug or you've saved an old area rug in storage, it's totally normal to find some creases or curled corners. Moroccan rugs are made from natural fibres, so it's normal that initially they may have wrinkles, creases and curling.
Once you've spent time finding the right rug for your space, you want to make sure it also looks awesome in your room. So read on as we've compiled some of our favourite tips to flatten area rugs using DIY methods.
Method 1: Let the Rug Rest
The first thing you have to try after unwrapping or unrolling your area rugs is also the simplest one! Make sure you give this a go before moving onto more complicated methods.
Your rug may just need a few days to settle and relax naturally after being folded, rolled or stored. You may find that the rug will flatten itself and mild creases will be gone.
Steps:
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Unroll the rug fully.
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Gently press the rug from the centre towards the edges to smooth it out.
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Let it lay flat on hard floors for a few days.
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Keep the temperature in the area warm as this will assist the fibres to relax and lengthen, leaving you with a lovely flat area rug.
Method 2: Use Heavy Objects
Another simple method works by placing a heavy object directly on top of a pesky fold or crease. Ensure you choose objects with a large, flat surface area so as not to damage the fibres or colours of your rugs.
Steps:
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Place the rug flat on a hard surface.
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Place something heavy like a box of books directly on rug edges or the affected areas.
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Leave them for 24-48 hours to help the rug flatten.
Method 3: Reverse Roll the Rug
If your rug is curling at the corners or edges this simple reverse roll trick may be just what you need. Reverse rolling is super easy, but you may need to let the rug sit for a few hours to a few days for it to work.
Steps:
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Roll the rug tightly in the opposite direction of the curl. Or gently bend the rug corner back in the opposite direction.
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Hold it in place for a few hours up to 48 hours, then unroll it and check the results.
The above methods of reverse rolling avoids heat damage or the potential to have colours bleed but may not be as effective to remove creases or remove dents from wool rugs.
Method 4: Apply Heat (Clothes Iron or Hair Dryer)
When used carefully, gentle heat from a clothes iron or hair dryer is a fast and easy way to flatten an area rug and remove creases. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the corners and fibres.
Steps:
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Place the rug upside down so you are working on the back of the rug.
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Place a damp cloth with ice cubes or an ice cube over the creased area, or use a spray bottle to gently moisten the area.
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Use an iron on a low setting and a pressing cloth or sheet of parchment paper and gently iron the affected areas. Avoid ironing directly on the rug.
Method 5: Lay the Rug in the Sun
Laying a creased or wrinkled rug outside in the sun can help relax its fibres, smoothing creases and making it easier to flatten.
Steps:
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Place the rug outside over a clean hard surface (decking, paving or even a clean driveway) in direct sunlight on a warm and dry afternoon.
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Once the rug is warm, roll it back in the opposite direction or lay it flat with weights on it.
Method 6: Steam Cleaning the Rug
Low heat steaming is an excellent method to flatten a rug while also refreshing and cleaning it. The only downside to this method is that you may need to hire equipment or call a professional to complete the job for you.
Steps:
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Use a steam cleaner to gently apply heat and moisture to the rug fibres.
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Smooth out the rug while it's still warm.
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Let the rug dry flat and ensure it is dry completely before moving it or placing furniture on top to avoid creating bent fibres.
H2: How to Flatten a Rug on Different Surfaces (Carpet vs. Wood Floors)
The flattening technique you use may differ depending on whether your Moroccan rug is placed on a hard surface like wood, concrete or tile or a soft surface like wall-to-wall carpeting.
Flattening a Rug on Carpet
If you plan to layer your rug on an area rug or carpet, keep in mind that it's best to flatten it first on a hard surface. Once all the wrinkles have been removed from a rug, consider anchoring the rug with furniture to prevent future creases.
Flattening a Rug on Wood Floors
Double sided carpet tape which can be purchased from good hardware stores is super easy way to flatten a rug in a room with hard floors. Simply apply the adhesive side of the tape to the corners and edges of the rug then remove the backing and press the tape gently into the floor. This will stop your rug from slipping, creasing and wrinkling.
When to Call a Professional
If your rug is valuable, delicate or holds special sentimental value for you, then it may be wise to consult a professional from the start. Your local carpet dealer may have a suggestion on who to call. While most rugs will respond well to the methods outlined above, delicate or vintage rugs may benefit from some extra special love and care.
