Dear 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?
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Try a handheld clothes steamer.
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?
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. =)
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.
view bepsf's profile
I wanna see the rest of that pink living room!
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?
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.
view LilyC's profile
re-block? I've never heard that term before.
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
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).
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!!!
view unseeneclipse's profile