How To Flatten A Rug & Get Creases Out

Whether you have a brand-new rug that's just been unboxed or an older one showing signs of wear, keeping it flat is essential for both aesthetics and safety. In this blog, we'll explore different effective methods to smooth out those stubborn creases and curls, from preparation tips to weighted flattening, reverse rolling, and steam treatment.

Unboxing and Preparation

Unpacking a new rug is your first chance to ensure that your rug maintains a smooth and flat surface. Many rugs are shipped rolled up which can naturally cause the corners to curl away from the floor when you first lay it flat. Some of our rugs are shipped folded, to allow for less packaging and waste. You may notice initial creases or wrinkles from the packaging process, but don't worry – these are common and can be fixed with these simple steps:

1. Start by carefully unrolling or unfolding your rug in its desired location, ensuring it is smoothed out properly over the rug pad. If you’re planning to place your rug under furniture, you may want to carry out this step in an open area with enough space.

2. Allow your rug to acclimatise to the room’s temperature for a few hours before beginning any flattening procedures. This makes the fibres more pliable and easier to work with.

3. To remove initial creases, gently smooth out the fibres by hand. Let it sit for a day or two before applying heavy furniture to naturally help reduce wrinkles.

Weighted Flattening Technique

For more stubborn creases, the weighted flattening method can be effective. As the name suggests, this method consists of applying weight to the rolled, creased, or curled areas of your rug to help flatten them. Here’s how to do it safely:

1. Place heavy objects, such as books, along the areas of the rug that refuse to lie flat. This most commonly occurs in the corners, especially if your rug has been rolled up. Ensure the objects are smooth, with large surface area, to avoid creating divots or indentations in your rug.

2. Make sure the weights are evenly distributed to avoid putting too much pressure on any single area, which could potentially damage the rug.

3. Leave the weights on for a day or two, checking periodically to see if the rug is flattening. Adjust as necessary to ensure even flatness across the entire rug.

Reverse Rolling Method

The reverse rolling method is an easy and gentle way to address wrinkles and encourage the rug to lay flat:

1. Start by rolling your rug tightly around a cylinder or tube, in the opposite direction of the creases. If your rug was not wrapped around a tube, you can do this manually simply by turning the rug upside down and rolling as tightly as the material will allow.

2. Secure the rolled rug with string or rubber bands to maintain its shape.

3. Leave it rolled up for a day or so to allow the fibres to relax and stretch out evenly.

4. Unroll the rug and check the progress, repeating the process if necessary until the rug lays flat.

Steam Treatment

Steam treatment is an excellent option for removing persistent creases, but should be approached with caution to reduce the risk of damage to your rug:

1. Use a handheld steamer or an iron with a steam setting to gently apply heat to the affected areas of the rug. Hold the steamer or iron a few inches away from the rug to prevent direct contact, which could damage the material.

2. Move slowly over the creases, allowing the steam to penetrate the fibres and relax them.

3. After steaming, place flat weights on the treated areas as the rug cools to help set the flat shape.

4. Always test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that the heat does not negatively affect the rug material.

Always check the instructions for your rug to check whether it is heat resistant. Ruggable rugs are designed to withstand various conditions but should not have high heat applied directly to the fibres as this can cause irreversible damage.

Use a nonslip rug pad

Ruggable’s rugs are all designed to be secured in place with a nonslip rug pad. Our rug pads and rug covers are both made with Cling Effect technology which helps to keep them attached to each other and to the floor. This technology also helps keep your rug flat against the floor, enhancing the look of your room and ensuring it’s a safe, tripping-free zone. 

Your Ruggable rug cover and rug pad will come with specific assembly instructions according to the size and shape of your rug. Following these instructions will help to ensure that your rug lays flat and smooth from day one.

Our rugs are even easy to store! Whether you prefer to roll or fold your Ruggable for quick storage, rest assured that it will relax back into its beautiful, smooth shape whenever you’re ready to lay it out again.