Curling edges, creases, or bumps are not simply ugly to the eye, but they may also cause tripping. Making your rug lie flat is a frequent issue, yet luckily, it is a dilemma that can be eliminated with a few easy-to-follow steps supported by experts. Within this guide, we are going to take you through some of the tactics that will have you stretching your rug flat within the shortest time possible.
Why Does a Rug Curl or Bunch Up?
Before proceeding to solutions to curling or bunched-up rugs, it is best to know why they become curled or bunched up in the first place. Being aware of the causes can assist you in treating the problem better.
-
Shipping and Storage
Numerous rugs, particularly large ones, are rolled neatly to be shipped or held. Such tight rolling may lead to curling of the edges of the rug when it is rolled. Once diamonds are folded or rolled over for a long time, it is common that they will develop memory in the fibers, making them unable to unroll or stretch.
-
Materials and Construction
The curl of a rug depends largely on its fibers and how it is made. Rugs composed of wool, cotton, or silk materials may be prone to curling more than others. The same problem also might appear in synthetic rugs; however, they tend to be simpler to manage.
-
Environmental Factors
Your rug can also curl due to changes in humidity and temperature. When you place your rug in a high-humidity environment or a place near a heat source, it might start to warp or bend with time.
-
Improper Unrolling
Mismanaged rugs may have creases, particularly when stretched out improperly. By rolling your rug out incorrectly, you may end up overloading the fibers and causing the rug to curl, which is unwanted.
Tips and Techniques to Flatten Your Rug
1. Reverse Rolling
Reverse rolling is one of the most useful and easiest methods of making your rug lie flat. Roll the rug over but against the curl. The intent is to reverse the tendency of the fibers to curl and provide the rug an opportunity to uncurl in the other direction.
-
How to Do It:
Fold the rug in the opposite direction, roll it up well, and allow it some time (several hours or till the next day). You may use a piece of string or a rubber band to fasten it in place. Roll the rug backwards for some time, and then unroll it and replace it on the floor. Rugs should start flattening and showing loose fibers.
2. Heat Treatment
In case your rug is still persistently curled after you have rolled it, heat may be used. The fibers of the rug can be made pliable by putting heat on it, which makes the rug flatten out more easily.
-
How to Do It:
Apply heat to the curled edges using a hairdryer, a steam iron, or even a garment steamer. Keep the dryer or steam iron 6 inches above the rug and, with circular movements, spread the heat uniformly. Make sure you do not leave the heat on the place too long, as this may damage the rug.
3. Weigh It Down
One more best practice is to weigh the sides of the rug. This method is most effective when the rug has curled either on the sides or the corners.
-
How to Do It:
Put heavy objects like books, furniture, or other weights on the curled parts of the carpet. Keep them there at least a few hours or even a day. The weight will press against the rug to make it straight and to stop additional curling.
4. Place the Rug in a Warm, Dry Area
You may want to leave your rug to dry, in case you live in a humid atmosphere or have made it come into contact with water.
-
How to Do It:
Place your rug in a dry, warm place in your house. The sunlight will serve to heat up the fibers to make them supple and help the rug lie flat. Just make sure that you are not subjecting the rug to direct and harsh sunlight over prolonged periods of time. As this may result in fading or even damaging some of the materials used, such as wool or silk.
5. Use a Rug Pad
A good rug pad is also effective in keeping your rug flat and in place so that it does not move and gather later on. The pad gives a gripping feeling and is able to mitigate some of the tension forming due to the floor lying just below the carpet.
-
How to Do It:
Be sure to select a rug pad that is appropriate to both the size of your rug and the type of floor below, such as hardwood, tile, or carpet. Once under the rug, the pad will assist in adding support, minimizing movement, and preventing your rug from curling in the long run.
6. Steam or Professional Cleaning
When the above methods do not appear to be working, one thing you could do is to steam clean your rug. The steam may assist in calming down the fibers and pulling out any stiff wrinkles or creases.
-
How to Do It:
You could clean your rug either with a handheld garment steamer or you could hire a rug cleaning service. The steam is expected to loosen the fibers used and make the rug flat. Once steamed, it is important that the rug is drip-dried before positioning it all over again in a favorable position.
Prevent Future Curling
When you have succeeded in getting your rug to lie flat, you should take precautions to avoid having it become curly again in the future. Here are a couple of tips on how to keep your rug low lying:
-
Place a high-quality rug pad that would cushion and prevent slips.
-
To prevent uneven wearing or the resulting curling, rotate your rug.
-
Do not place heavy furniture on your rug, as this puts pressure on one area.
When to Seek Professional Help
Although the techniques mentioned above are applicable to most rugs. There are certain rugs (particularly antique or hand-made ones) that need special attention. If your carpet is of sensitive fabric, such as silk, wool, or it could be an expensive or sentimental item. Then it could be advisable to hire a specialist.
-
Why Hire a Professional?
Cleaners are also experts and understand how to clean and flatten carpets without inflicting damage on them. They will evaluate the material and the state of your rug and apply the most appropriate cleaning and flattening methods to that specific rug.
Final Thoughts
Making a rug lie flat might take some patience, but that is very possible. Most rugs can be flattened within no time by employing the right techniques (which include reverse rolling, heating, weighting down the rug, and use of a rug pad).
When in doubt, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a professional. So that your rug is treated as it should. Keep in mind that a flattened rug not only makes your home look better. But it also contributes to the safety and comfort of your home.
Stuck with your rug? At MK Rugs, we offer a rug cleaning and care guide by our professional lending hand, which may run your rug back to its finest form. Go to our site to review services and get professional help!
Disclaimer
This blog is only a general information-sharing blog. When in doubt, always consult a professional on any of the described methods, especially when handling a valuable or delicate rug. We do not accept liability for any damage done to your floor or rug when using the methods outlined below.
