How To Make A Rug Lay Flat (6 Solutions)
A rug in your home adds visual and tactile interest to any space. However, one of the most common problems with rugs is that they can be difficult to lay flat. If your rug has buckles or creases that won’t go away, making it look neat and tidy can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several simple methods for making rugs lay flat. This article will explore easy and practical suggestions on how to make a rug lay flat.
Before we get started, it is a good idea to prevent rugs from folding over in the first place. As far as possible, avoid folding rugs and placing heavy items against the fold to prevent crease lines that affect the structure of the rug.
If you’re going to roll a rug, don’t create a tight roll to prevent it from spiraling when you unroll it for use.
In the event that it isn’t laying flat on the ground, there are some steps you can take to flatten it out. Here’s every practical technique used to make a rug lay flat.
Table of Contents
Techniques For Flattening & Straightening A Rug
1. Reverse Roll It/Back Roll
The simplest way to make a rug lay flat is to reverse or back roll it. All you can do is roll up the rug in the opposite direction of how it was initially rolled.
This technique works best if your rug has buckles or waves that won’t seem to flatten out. Roll the mat tightly and let it sit for a few hours before unrolling it.
Use a few books or weights to keep the rug in place while you wait to relax back into shape.
Something else to consider is that this method works best if the rug is laid out on a flat and even surface. If it’s laid down on an uneven floor, it may take the shape of the floor which will require you to straighten it out again.
2. Flip the Rug
Another way to make a rug lay flat is by flipping it over. Lay the rug down on the reverse side and use weights to press it into place.
Allow the mat to sit for a few hours to settle into its new shape.
Use books or other kinds of weight on top of the mat, as this will help keep it in place and make sure that it does not move around while you wait to relax. When you flip the mat, be sure that the underside is facing up and not down.
If your rug has a lot of wrinkles or folds, give it an extra few hours before flipping it back onto its original side.
This will help ensure that the rug has had enough time to settle into its new shape before you try to move it back over.
3. Ironing
If your rug is made of a fabric-like material, such as wool or cotton, then you can use an iron to make it flat.
Place the rug on an ironing board and use a warm, but not hot, setting.
Press down firmly on the rug, and make sure you move the iron in a circular motion to ensure that it heats up evenly.
When using an iron to flatten your rug, be sure that you don’t use too much heat, or it could damage the rug’s fibers. Also, avoid using steam, as this can cause the carpet to shrink or damage if too much water is used.
Instead, use a dry setting and press firmly on the fabric until it relaxes back into shape.
4. Use A Hair Dryer
In the event that you don’t have an iron to use, opt for a hair dryer. Make sure you set the blow dryer on the coolest setting, and don’t hold it too close to the rug. Move the blow dryer back and forth in a sweeping motion over the mat and ensure that all the fabric is heated evenly.
This method works best if your rug is made of synthetic material, such as polyester or nylon.
If it’s made of a more delicate fabric, like wool or cotton, then you should be careful to keep the blow dryer at least six inches away from the rug. It will help ensure that it doesn’t get too hot and cause damage to the fibers.
5. Spray With Wrinkle Remover
Another option for making a rug lay flat is to spray it with a wrinkle remover. This method works best if your rug is made of synthetic material and has stubborn wrinkles that won’t disappear.
Mist the mat with the wrinkle remover and then use your hands to work the wrinkles out.
Moreover, you can use a soft brush to help spread out the wrinkle remover evenly over the rug.
Read the instructions carefully before using any wrinkle remover, as some may be too harsh for delicate fabrics. Furthermore, ensure you follow the directions for how long to allow the remover to sit before wiping it away.
6. Weigh It Down To Remove Creases
Lay the rug down on a flat surface and place heavy objects on top of it. Allow the rug to sit overnight so it can settle into its new shape, and then remove the weights in the morning. The heavier the item, the likelier it is that the rug will take a flatter form.
If you don’t have any heavy objects, you can use furniture or other household items that won’t move.
This method can take a few days to work, so give it enough time before expecting immediate results.
Be sure that the rug has no folds or creases before laying a significantly heavy item on top of it to avoid any permanent damage.
Final Thoughts
Making a rug lay flat is easy once you know the right techniques and tools. You can use several methods, such as reverse rolling or back-rolling the mat, flipping it over and ironing it on a low setting, using a hair dryer to heat the fabric and soften the wrinkles, spraying with wrinkle remover, or weighing it down with heavy objects.
No matter which method you choose to flatten your rug, be gentle and take your time.
This can prevent damaging the rug while trying to make it lay flat. With patience and effort, you can easily have your rug flat in no time!
That brings us to the end of this article on how to make a rug lay flat. If you found it helpful and practical, then you’ll definitely find the following articles helpful and practical:
1. How to place a rug under a bed
