A new rug can enhance the look of any room, but it can also be a source of frustration if it won’t lie flat. If your new rug is giving you trouble, there’s no need to call in a professional. You can easily flatten it yourself!
For most rugs, having been folded for a while means that it will need some “training” before it can rest flat once again. We’ve included our top tips on how to flatten a new area rug to help you out. Let’s get started!
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Place Something Heavy on the Rug
New rugs may take a little while to lie flat. This is perfectly normal and there are a few different ways you can help speed up the process. One way is to lay down a heavy object on top of the rug. This could be something like a stack of books or a piece of furniture. By letting it sit for a day or two, this will help to stretch out the fabric and flatten the wrinkles.
Reverse Curls
If you have new rugs and they refuse to lay flat on the floor even after a few days, another approach may be necessary. For a few days, reverse roll it to reshape the carpet fibers and backing. If the rug was rolled with the top side facing out, reverse the roll so the backing is facing out. Secure it with a belt or rope that is tight enough to hold the roll.
Tape the Rug Down
If you want to flatten your rug quickly, go to your local home improvement shop and get some double-sided carpet tape. When you apply the tape to the back of your rug, it will attach to the floor and keep your rug in place. This way, you can flatten existing wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. Carpet tape is often effective on both hard surfaces and existing wall-to-wall carpeting. And be sure to push hard and smooth it down before attaching it.
Iron It
If you’ve tried letting it rest, folding it over, or weighing it down and it is still not resting flat after a few days, you may resort to using your iron to help.
You can iron the curled part of a rug on a low setting, but make sure to put something between the hot iron and the rug. Craft paper is ideal for this use. And keep it as light as possible to avoid burning, melting, or other heat damage.
Lay It Under the Sun
One of the easiest methods is to lay the rug out in the sun for a few hours. The heat will help to relax the fibers and loosen any wrinkles or creases. You may need to weigh down the edges of the rug with something heavy, like a stack of books, to keep it from blowing away. Once the rug has had a chance to soak up some sun, it should lie flatter on the floor.
Heat It With a Hair Dryer
Start by setting the hair dryer on the low setting and holding it about six inches away from the rug. Slowly move it back and forth across the rug until you see the wrinkles start to disappear. If necessary, you can increase the heat setting, but be careful not to overdo it, as this could damage the rug. With a little patience and perseverance, you’ll have your new rug looking smooth and flat.
Congratulations on your new rug! Whether it’s a brand new purchase or a vintage find, we hope these tips help you get your rug looking its best in no time. Have any questions or additional tips? Let us know in the comments below!
