apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Good Questions: Un-kink this Rug?

1-5-rug-kink.jpgDear Apartment Therapy, My living room rug has a big kink in it, and I have no idea how to get it out. I've tried ice, putting heavy objects on it, and moving the coffee table, and nothing seems to help. Any suggestions?

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

 
 

Anyone?

Tags

Good Questions, rugs & carpets

Related Links

Share

Comments (11)

Try a handheld clothes steamer.

posted by caw261 on January 5th 2009 at 3:33pm
view caw261's profile

I second the clothes steamer but also wonder if it's not too big to hang over something and see if it's own weight will pull it out?

posted by Maleaab on January 5th 2009 at 3:59pm
view Maleaab's profile

You could try going over it with a rented Rug Doctor carpet cleaners: they even have a high traffic spray that's meant to help bring carpet pile up. =)

posted by mrskimmyl on January 5th 2009 at 4:01pm
view mrskimmyl's profile

I'm confused -

Is it a rug? If so, just pull on the end and anchor it...
...or is it wall-to-wall carpet - in which case you'll need a carpet installer to come and re-stretch the carpet.

posted by bepsf on January 5th 2009 at 4:27pm
view bepsf's profile

I wanna see the rest of that pink living room!

posted by teeze on January 5th 2009 at 4:30pm
view teeze's profile

You could reverse fold it in the opposite direction of the kink and place weight on the fold. Maybe that will get it back to neutral flat?

posted by dialmformarvel on January 5th 2009 at 4:53pm
view dialmformarvel's profile

I would try moving all of the furniture off and re-laying it with a rug pad (if you don't already have one). Then put the furniture back by lifting it and placing it rather than shoving it into place which can stretch and wrinkle the rug. It could be that it got stretched out and this won't help in which case, you might take it to a professional rug cleaner who could re-block it for you.

posted by LilyC on January 5th 2009 at 5:07pm
view LilyC's profile

re-block? I've never heard that term before.

posted by StudioStarter on January 5th 2009 at 5:22pm
view StudioStarter's profile

Hello,

Proper advising would really depend on what type of rug and a more detailed photograph of the problem.

A steamer may work. However, for select rugs (depending on the type, fiber and construction), it may not be ideal. Additionally, there is a possibility with a tufted rug that this could be a permanent crease.

Blocking would be an expensive proposition for most area rugs/carpets. Generally speaking, blocking is really a process reserved and advisable for Oriental Rugs which have severe ripples, curvature or uneven weave: not for a rug with one "kink"

-Dave from RugRag

posted by Rug Rag on January 5th 2009 at 10:25pm
view Rug Rag's profile

Does it flatten when you stretch it out? If yes, I think I would use a hot glue gun to anchor it when it's stretched flat. Hot glue later peels off things like floors without leaving a mark (unless we're talking about the most delicate lacquer finish or something here).

posted by Aulaire on January 6th 2009 at 7:33am
view Aulaire's profile

Hi there...I posted this question...and thank you ALL for the great suggestions! I haven't tried a steamer...in which I will be trying after my wisdom tooth surgery (ouch!). It's just an area rug that's been placed over wall to wall carpeting (renting this apartment) and it's already anchored by the sofa & entertainment center. I'm really not sure how this happened. I LOVE this rug so I'm going to try all of these solutions...except maybe the pricey reblocking & hot gluing (not so sure how the management would feel about that!!). But, thank you again everyone!!!

posted by unseeneclipse on January 6th 2009 at 10:16pm
view unseeneclipse's profile