How to Get Creases Out of Rug?

Have you ever unrolled a brand-new rug, only to find it filled with stubborn creases, folds, or curled-up corners? It’s one of the most common frustrations after buying a new carpet! These wrinkles can completely ruin the vision for your rooms. Moreover, they’re also a tripping hazard! You simply can’t leave them unchecked!

However, don’t let this problem turn you away from carpets. Because getting creases out of rugs is simple once you know the right methods. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a thick area rug, a natural fiber carpet, or a synthetic weave. Here’s how to get your rug to lay perfectly flat again.

Why Rugs Develop Creases and Wrinkles?

Before we learn how to get creases out of rugs, it helps to understand why they form in the first place. Most new rugs are rolled or folded tightly for shipping, which presses the fibers and backing. Accordingly, when you first unroll them, they retain those bends.

Thus, rugs that have been stored or folded for long periods may develop these ‘memory folds’. Moreover, heavier furniture, humidity changes, and improper cleaning methods can all make the problem worse. So, we bring you a surefire solution to this problem, as we answer the question, ‘how to get creases out of rugs’!

Step-by-Step: How to Get Creases Out of Rugs?

1. Reverse Roll the Rug

This is actually one of the simplest and most effective solutions! One of the ways we remove creases and curls from paper is by reverse rolling it. That actually works for carpets too!

If your rug arrived rolled inward, unroll it and gently roll it in the opposite direction. Then, leave it that way for 24 hours. When you unroll it again, most of the creases and curls should be gone or significantly reduced.

However, sometimes the rug feels stiff. In these situations, the first task is to loosen the fibres and backing a bit. The way to do this is to warm the rug up! Place it in a sunny room, or near a safe heat source. Then test the rug and feel it softening up. Once it’s pliable enough, get reverse rolling!

2. Use Gravity to Your Advantage

Sometimes, all a rug needs is time. Therefore, lay it flat in the room where you plan to use it and let gravity do its job. Within a few days, minor wrinkles and carpet creases usually relax on their own.

Yet, there are ways to speed up this process! Place heavy pieces of furniture, like a coffee table or maybe just a stack of books, on the corners and edges of the rugs. This will help flatten them evenly without damaging the surface.

3. Apply Gentle Heat

We teased this method in step one, and yes it’s indeed a whole step of its own! If gravity alone doesn’t work, heat can help soften the backing and fibers. Thus, you can use a hairdryer or a clothing steamer. But do it gently!.

Hold the hairdryer 6 to 8 inches away from the rug surface, using a medium heat setting. Move it slowly over the creased areas. Meanwhile, gently smoothen the rug with your hand or a clean towel. For a steamer, use low steam. But never soak the fibers, you only want warmth, not moisture.

4. Use a Rug Pad for Even Support

Almost every blog reiterates the importance of this! A quality rug pad helps keep the rug in place, distributes pressure evenly, and prevents new wrinkles from forming. It is thus one of the best ways of clearing up carpet crease and curls.

If your rug won’t lay flat even after treatment, place a rug pad underneath and let it settle for a few days. The pad will help the rug ‘relax’ naturally while improving comfort and preventing slipping.

5. Try the Towel and Iron Technique

We need to bring out the big guns for the toughest creases. Thus, for deep or old carpet creases, try the towel and iron technique, but only if your rug’s care label allows it.

Dampen a clean towel and lay it flat over the wrinkled area. Then, with your iron set to a low or medium temperature, press lightly over the towel for a few seconds at a time. The combination of moisture and gentle heat will loosen the fibers and backing without damaging the rug. Then, let the area cool completely before walking on it.

6. Hang the Rug Vertically

Despite all this, your rugs may still show some creases. In such moments, consider hanging them over a sturdy railing or a clothesline for a few hours. The weight of the rug will naturally pull out folds and wrinkles. Moreover, if you have a thin area rug or a kilim, this works particularly well!

How to Prevent Future Carpet Creases?

Once your rug is finally smooth and flat, you’ll want to keep it that way! Thus, here are a few easy ways to prevent future wrinkles:

• Store Rugs Properly: If you ever need to store your rug, roll it instead of folding it. Folding creates sharp creases that are hard to remove later. Therefore, always roll with the pile facing outward to avoid pressure lines.
• Use a Non-Slip Rug Pad: Again, rug pads simply are always the way to go! A pad not only prevents sliding but also absorbs the impact of foot traffic. Accordingly, the likelihood of new wrinkles or shifting drops significantly!
• Rotate Your Rug Regularly: Over time, certain areas of your rug receive more pressure and sunlight. Thus, rotating your rug every few months ensures even wear and creasing. This balance looks much better, and is also much easier to manage!

Thus, letting creases out of new rugs doesn’t have to be frustrating! With a bit of patience, gentle heat, and proper care, your rug will soon lay flat and look as beautiful as intended. So next time your rug won’t lay flat, remember that it’s just temporary! Plus, with the right approach, you’ll restore its natural beauty in no time! For more expert rug care tips and to explore premium-quality carpets and area rugs, visit Carpets Bazaar.

FAQs About How to Get Creases Out of Rug?

Q: How long does it take for a new rug to lay flat?
Ans: Most new rugs will flatten out within one to two weeks if left undisturbed and properly weighted down.

Q: Can I use an iron to remove carpet creases?
Ans: Only if you protect the rug with a towel and use low heat. Avoid direct contact with the rug surface to prevent damage.

Q: How do I get a rug to lay flat without using heat?
Ans: Place heavy furniture or weights on the curled areas and leave the rug for a few days. Gravity will naturally flatten it out.

Q: Will a rug pad help with wrinkles?
Ans: Yes! Rug pads provide cushioning, reduce movement, and help rugs stay smooth and flat.

Q: What if my rug still won’t lay flat after trying everything?
Ans: For thick or delicate rugs, professional rug cleaning and pressing services can remove deep creases safely.