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We all know the frustrating feeling of creased rugs disrupting the smooth, flowing lines. The pattern on the design looks distorted, the room gives off an unkempt vibe. Walking on it doesn’t feel smooth either.
That’s why I’m going to share simple DIY methods to fix creases swiftly and restore your rug’s smooth appearance and how you can avoid them in the first place.
The creased rugs don’t look or feel good. But what is causing this problem? There can be different issues that cause rugs to develop creases:
Shipping and packaging
Storing improperly like folding
Heavy furniture on top when improperly placed
Poor padding and inadequate stretching
Material sensitivity of the rug
Creasings happen from … the idea is to remove the cause
You can combine different methods to get the best result.
Rugs get creased because the fiber in them becomes tensed and squeezed. Sunlight exposure heats these fibers. As a result, the fibers can relax, expand, and sit naturally on the surface again.
Follow these steps to remove creases from rugs using sunlight:
Place the rug on a flat surface directly to the sun.
Periodically flip the rug.
Wait several hours for the creases to settle.
The downside of this process is that deeper creases on thicker rugs might not be loose enough to settle down within several hours. You can’t leave your rugs in direct sunlight for too long, either, because it will discolor the rug. However, this method is very effective for rugs made of organic materials like wood or cotton.
Besides sunlight, you can also use heat-generated machines to heat the fibers. You can target specific wrinkled areas to heat and get faster results. Also, you can target specific areas with heat, unlike sunlight.
Two methods are pretty popular for this purpose: ironing and hair dryer.
Ironing Method:
Place a damp cloth or towel over the crease.
Apply gentle pressure with a low heat setting.
Hair Dryer or Streamer:
Put the dryer at a safe distance from the rug and heat it.
Smooth the creases using your hand or a soft brush when you are applying the heat.
Note that damaging the fibers and discoloration is still a possibility. You are just controlling the heat settings and the area to heat. To minimize the risk, use low heat settings and test on a small area first to make sure it is not damaging your rug.
When a rug is rolled, the fibers are forced to compress in a specific direction. Counter-rolling is effective to manipulate this compression to counteract the previous creases. This method doesn’t have the risk of damaging the rug from heat or chemicals.
Here is how to use rolling to remove creases from rugs:
Roll the rug tightly in the opposite direction of the crease.
Secure it with string or tape for several hours (or days).
Unroll and lay it flat to check if the crease is gone.
Although the effort is low and there is no cost involved, the process is time-consuming. Sometimes, several days aren’t even enough to undo the original creases. This is especially true for thicker rugs.
Placing heavy objects can flatten out creases in your rugs. The idea is to use mechanical downward pressure to push the fibers to sit back again. Use heavy items like books, furniture, or weights on the creased area and leave it for some time to see the results.
Make sure the object weight is spread uniformly over the creased area. Otherwise, you will get slower results and indentations sometimes. Don’t use sharp objects to place on the rug. For delicate rugs, use soft clothing between the rug and the objects to minimize damage.
Water can loosen some fiber materials. You can then reshape the rugs to flatten them again if they are creased or wrinkled.
The method is gentle, easy to use, and free from harsh chemicals. It is even effective for mild creases too. However, the process is lengthy.
Here is how the method works:
Lightly spray over to mist the creased area with water.
Let it air dry while placed flat under weight or in sunlight.
Don’t soak the rug with water. Excessive moisture damages fibers and a reason of mold growth. Place the rug on a flat surface when drying for the best result.
Vacuuming works just like putting heavy objects. Instead of using pressure downwards, the fibers are forced up here. Brushing the creased area along with vacuuming fluffs and realigns the fibers.
Vacuuming and brushing regularly is also important to avoid developing creases or wrinkles on a rug.
We have already mentioned the causes of creasing in rugs. The main goal to avoid them is to properly store, place, and regularly maintain your rug. Here is a list of tips you can follow to prevent creases in rugs:
Roll rugs instead of folding them.
Store them in a dry area where the temperature doesn’t regulate much.
Use rug pads to keep rugs flat and prevent shifting.
Don’t place heavy furniture on unsupported parts of the rug.
Rotate rugs periodically.
Keep rugs cleaned and vacuumed.
The best way to avoid rug creases is to stop them from forming. You can’t do anything about delivery issues except fix it later. However, you can avoid wrinkling or creasing your rugs while using them.
Creases in rugs can be frustrating, but they’re not difficult to fix. Simple methods like applying heat, counter-rolling, or placing weights can work wonders to restore your rug’s smooth appearance. Focus on proper storage and regular maintenance and carefully place it to keep your rug looking at its best. If a stubborn crease doesn’t budge, professional help is always an option. With these easy tips, you can ensure your rug stays flat, neat, and a perfect addition to your space.
As principal at Maison Rose Interiors, Rose instills a bit of natural Canadian warmth where she was born and raised, and coastal California where she now lives. Rose’s culturally diverse background and travels abroad are seen in all her objects and ever evolving style. No matter what the style she is asked to create, each space designed by Rose is refined, collected, and unique.
