6 Ways to Flatten an Area Rug

How to Flatten a Rug

1. Method 1: Flip the Rug

   Many rugs will have curled corners even after you unroll them and the rug relaxes. If that happens, your next step depends on which way the corners are curling.

   If they're curling upward, fold them slightly under and leave them alone for a day or two. But if they're curling under, you'll want to either flip the rug over and curl the corners under, or weigh down each corner with a heavy object (books, a piece of furniture, etc.) to help force the carpet fibers to relax and flatten out.

   Pros

   • Inexpensive

   • Requires minimal effort

   Cons

   • Not instant

2. Method 2: Tape Down the Rug

   If you're looking for a fast way to flatten your rug, head to your local furniture or home improvement store and buy some double-sided carpet tape.

   When applied to the back of your rug, the tape will adhere to the floor and hold the rug in place. It effectively flattens existing creases and prevents new ones. Carpet tape generally works on hard floors and existing wall-to-wall carpets, just be sure to press firmly and smooth the rug down before adhering.

   Pros

   • Works fast

   • Works on multiple surfaces

   Cons

   • Requires a purchase

3. Method 3: Back-Roll the Rug

   Unroll your area rug and then roll it again in the opposite direction to reverse the curling. If this trick doesn't work right away, let the rolled carpet sit for a day or two before unrolling it again the other way.

   Pros

   • No supplies required

   Cons

   • Can take several days

4. Method 4: Use a Clothes Iron

   Iron the curled area on your rug on a low setting using a clothes iron, just be sure to use a barrier between the heat of the iron and the rug. Craft paper works well for this purpose.

   Warning

   Keep the ironing to a minimum to prevent scorching, melting, and other heat damage.

   Pros

   • Quick results

   Cons

   • Could cause heat damage

   • May take long to cover whole rug

5. Method 5: Lay the Rug in the Sun

   Spread your rug out over clean concrete or asphalt outdoors on a dry and sunny afternoon. The ideal temperature is between 75 to 80 degrees, because then the ground has had time to absorb the sun's heat.

   If you leave the rug out under direct sunlight for a little while, that's often all it takes to release any creases or wrinkles.

   Pros

   • No supplies needed

   Cons

   • There are necessary weather conditions

6. Method 6: Use a Hair Dryer

   Opt for a hairdryer to apply gentle heat onto the back of the rug to release creases. To prevent the rug's fibers from melting, hold the hairdryer at least 6 to 9 inches away and use a sweeping motion on a low to medium setting instead of holding it steady in one position.

   Pros

   • Method uses a common household tool

   • Works fast

   Cons

   • Care is needed not to melt the fibers

When to Call a Professional

With very expensive or valuable rugs, such as Persian rugs, it may be best to consult a professional from the get-go, as they are well equipped to move and flatten rugs. Most everyday rugs will respond to the easy DIY methods for flattening, but if they don't, two professional methods can be applied: steaming and stretching.

• Depending on the construction of your rug, a professional service may be able to steam it to remove the creases. However, you must test the rug for colorfastness before attempting this method. The steaming process can potentially ruin your rug and make the colors bleed.
  
• Another option is asking a local carpet dealer to stretch the carpet out. If it's pulled taut and slowly stretched, often the wrinkles will be released. This is also a job that's best left to professionals, however, as the stretching process can damage the rug if not done correctly.

How to Choose the Right Method

To choose the right method for flattening out your area rug, consider the material, how severely creased or curled it is, its age, style and weight, and what supplies you have on hand.

For a standard area rug that's not highly valuable or an antique piece, start with one of the above DIY methods that don't require that you purchase any new supplies. Give it a few days to see if it's effective and if not, opt for a more involved method or possibly professional treatment to flatten your area rug.