How To Flatten A New Rug

How to flatten a new rug? So your area rug has finally arrived after days of waiting, but do the folds from transportation really upset you to some extent? If that is the cause of creases, wrinkles, and ripples, this post will give you a helping hand on how to flatten your brand-new rolled rug. 

Indeed, different types of rugs will surely go with different flattening methods. Take wool and silk rugs which are high-end products as an example. For a long time, those types are always sold at a higher price than other rugs due to their heirloom value and complex manufacturing process.

As a result, they also require a more professional and tougher effort to clean and take care of, as a small mistake can even damage the natural material. However, there are also other more budget-friendly kinds of rugs, such as cotton rugs, jute and bamboo rugs, or polypropylene rugs, that everyone can learn to deal with those creases themselves. And that’s exactly our concern today; let’s go deep into how to cope with those annoying creases in your rugs.

Let The Rug Do Its Job

Normally, to maximize the space during delivery, your rugs are often rolled in the shape of a tube, which often triggers the undesired wrinkles. However, the solution to flattening a tube-rolled rug is pretty easy and requires little effort.

What you need to do is to unroll the rug first and spread it as much as possible, then leave it there for one day to two. The fiber will relax, and the rug will return to its original form soon. But for the best outcome, try placing your area rug on a smooth and hard floor while it relaxes to ensure no new spot will form.

Placing Heavy Objects On The Rug

Area rug folding and curling occur due to unequal pressure on the rug fibers. Therefore, pressure is an effective way to get bumps out of area rugs. If the rug is rolled right side out and curved towards the floor, it will flatten out easier with some weight on the corners for a few days.

Put the rug in the room you intend to use, stretch it, then arrange your furniture, especially furniture without legs or feet, ideally a piece of a completely flat one on the bottom so that it can really press the rug out. After one to two weeks, you can put the furniture back in its previous position when the rug relaxes and lays even.

This how-to flattens a polypropylene rug that has been folded method does not require you to spend any money because you can use readily available objects at home like furniture or some thick book covers.

Taping It Down

If you are not patient enough and want an immediate result for your new rug, just quickly head to your nearest furniture store and get yourself some double-sided carpet tape. Once the carpet tape gets attached to the back of your rug, it will hold your rug in your expected place and stick it to the floor.

After that, you will see the wrinkles and creases fade out of your rug, and there you have your rug in its perfect form. Just notice to apply your tape to a hard, smooth floor and make sure your rug gets spread smoothly before adhering.

Washing The Rug And Hanging It To The Wind

Another DIY tip to flatten your new “friend” is to wash the rug in water and then dry it by placing it in a windy space. However, this method is not always applicable to all types of rugs, especially some one-of-a-kind rugs; it is best to delegate to a professional carpet caretaker. Other rug materials like cotton or synthetic fibers can be easily done on your own. 

To wash synthetic rugs:

1. Take them outside on a nice day and wet them down with the garden hose.
2. Take a few drops of mild dish soap and use a scrub brush to clean and fluff the accent rug.
3. Thoroughly rinse the rug with the hose and hang it in a dry, windy place.

Exposure to water will help relax the fiber and bring the rug to its original flat form when dry, but remember to stretch four corners of the rug when hanging to avoid any new wrinkles. 

A yearly wash at spring cleaning time will certainly be enough for your rug. And make sure that the rug is waterproof, water-resistant, or made from materials that are not damaged by water.

Flipping It Over Or Backing Roll It

Normally, the rug is rolled into a cylinder shape during delivery, and the longer it sits at the mail truck, the more lumpy and bumpy the rug will be. For the easiest way, you only need to flip the rug over in its opposite direction and leave the fibers to unwind gradually. Gravity will bend your rug to its original shape and force it to uncurl itself.

If the rug was toughly rolled inward, you need to roll it outward so that the wrinkled fibers are forced to lay in the other direction and flatten out. This method can bring a clear result. However, remember to stop folding immediately if you hear any cracking sound to avoid any unwanted damage to the rug, and try not to remain that temporary roll for too long. Otherwise, it will again trigger a new crease.

Use The Sun

Sun-drying is an efficient way to eliminate wrinkles and creases on your rug in case you don’t know where to start with heat. This shall be the mildest method if you want to avoid potential mistakes made to your rug.

Simply choose a dry and sunny day, then a large, clean, and stiff outdoor floor to spread out your wrinkled rug where it can receive direct or partial sunlight. Leave the rug outdoors for several hours, and the natural heat will help eliminate any existing creases or wrinkles.

Get The Rug to Lay Flat Using Steaming

Based on your rug’s material and quality, steaming can effectively remove wrinkles and creases from your area rug. With a hand-held steamer having an upholstery attachment, you can start by steaming the back of the rug and don’t soak the fibers. After that, gently bend the fibers back and let them dry naturally.

If you have to do it without professional supervision, be sure to test your rug’s colorfastness first before the steaming process, as the scorching heat can cause colors to bleed out, making it impossible to cure.

Using The Pressing Iron

If your steaming and sun-dry method have failed, it may be time to resort to a pressing iron. You can straighten the curled or folded parts by moving your iron throughout the rug’s surface slowly and orderly.

One mistake you wouldn’t want to make is scorching, melting, or burning your rug during the process, so remember to use a barrier such as craft paper or a damp cloth between the heat of the iron and the rug, and also keep the iron on a low heat setting.

Opting For The Hair Dryer

If all the previous strategies don’t work for your new stubborn area rug, you should consider using your hair dryer. This may seem unconventional, but hopefully, it will be helpful for you:

1. Gradually move your hair dryer like the sweeping motion on a low to medium setting towards the creases in your area rug, then release it.
2. Gently fold the crease in the opposite direction and let it cool, then lay the rug flat.

At least six to nine inches away from the rug would be an acceptably safe distance for the fibers from melting, and you’ll always want to keep your dryer moving instead of holding it in a fixed position for too long.

Conclusion

Most rugs become more pliable with heat, however, applying heat may require you certain amount of sound understanding of the rug. Therefore, make sure to equip yourself with enough knowledge before following these suggestions.

If your rug is made from polypropylene, nylon, or any other synthetic material, so you don’t melt it in the process. Moreover, keep the heating devices on a low to medium heat setting, and keep them moving during the process. Remember, some rugs can discolor, so you want to ensure your rug is safe when put under too much heat.

I hope that the post below about how to get rug to lay flat could bring more practical knowledge and confidence for you to deal with any pesky creases happening.