skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

How to flatten a new rug?

17 years ago

I just bought three new area rugs (thanks for the tip, Lydia--they're great!). They arrived, as rugs usually do, rolled tightly.

I have a couple of them hanging over a banister. The first one has flattened out pretty well except for the edge that was inside the roll. The second seems determined to hang on to its rolled edge, too. The third one just arrived. I'd like to put the first rug on the floor, but I don't want to keep tripping over the edge. I remember trying (and failing) to flatten a previous rug by placing jugs of water and laundry detergent on the edge. Since that didn't work very well, I wonder if you have any other ideas . . . ?

Thanks!

Susan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

nodakgal
17 years ago
Roll it up the opposite of how it came!
That worked great for me when I got a room sized rug.
alisande
Original Author
17 years ago
Why didn't I think of that?? How long do you have to leave it rolled up?

Thanks!
Related Discussions
Darnit, wind and rain flattened my garden last night
Q
Comments (12)
Hey FBB: Don't feel bad, it happens to me to a varying extent every year. My extols me to hill the corn every year. She thinks that it will produce more prop roots thereby minimizing the lodging. I agree with her about causing greater prop root formation but, still I get blowdown. The reasons I don't like hilling: 1) it is alot of physical work 2) it doesn't seem to stop the lodging 3) I have to flatten the hills back out in the fall (more work). However, this year, in order to reduce the labor I used my tiller to loosen about an inch of soil on both sides of each row and hilled the plants with the easy to move soil. It made hills about 8" tall around the plants. We had 3" of rain wind and pea sized hail Monday evening over a 2 hour period and my corn is still standing. HURRAY! I'm looking forward to picking standing like a homo sapiens rather than a gorilla this year. There may be another benefit to hilling. For the 1st time ever, I have corn root worms. Having the extra roots that formed from hilling may have saved me from serious losses from the worm s the plants may have grew new roots faster than the worms could kill them. About 5% of my plants fell over and shriveled which is how I discovered the (very late in the season) worms.
...See More
Flattened shrubs
Q
Comments (2)
The usual way of pruning bushes is to remove one-third of the growth-the oldest branches. Then reduce the rest of the growth by about one-third, as well. Over three years your entire bush will be rejuvenated. Some bushes do no respond well to an over-all, to the ground reduction. However, since bushes are generally tough plants, if your plants look awful, reduce them to the point they look better. They will usually respond with new growth if it is done early in the growing season. Do not do this with an electric trimmer but by hand, with a hand-pruner. Make your cuts at different heights. It does take longer but your bushes will be much healthier and look better for the effort. Linda
...See More
Help ! How can we get our cat to not scratch our NEW rug ?
Q
Comments (10)
My cats leave my rugs alone pretty much. Sometimes they play with the corners or try ot "bury" things under the rugs. I think they do it more to see what I will do to them because they sort of look at me funny when they do it. They are looking for attention. I provide them 2 horizontal scratchers and 1 very tall post scratcher (one of my cats is very big). We praise them like crazy when they use the scratchers. We also make a sound they don't like and sometimes spray them with water if they scratch a rug. I will also pick them up and move them to the scratcher and then praise them when they use it. The 1 year old never scratches the rugs anymore, the 6 month old is 90% there. Could you remove the rug (maybe put in the attic, basement or spare bedroom) to get it away from them, break the habit, and get them retrained?
...See More
Aloe Vera flattening??
Q
Comments (4)
Depot it and show us a picture of the roots - that will give us the 'real deal' on the health of the plants. The roots' condition is almost always an indication of how well a plant is doing. Depotting it will not harm the plant. Unfortunately, advice to water it more is contraindicated.
...See More
nodakgal
17 years ago
Not as long as you think Susan. I can't remember how long we left it, but think just a few hours? I know DH thought of it here, then he gave it a few solid thumps to help it along! LOL
I wonder if sitting it in the sun would help "relax" it too?
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
When we rolled ours up in the opposite direction then we walked on the roll back and forth. LOL! That was our Thrift Store method.
mcmann
17 years ago
Do you think misting it with your steam iron would speed things up? That's what I do when I move furniture and I want to get rid of the depressions in the rug.
alisande
Original Author
17 years ago
I'm so glad I asked.

I just rolled up all three and laid them down on the outside edge. I'm leaving for work soon, and I'll be home at 10:00 p.m. By then I should have perfect rugs. :-)

Now, if only keeping them clean were this easy . . .
azzalea
17 years ago
Do you have an unused area where you can just put them on the floor for a while?

We had a rug we'd bought literally YEARS ago (I think about 10 years?) that, for some reason, we never got around to using where we'd planned to. it was rolled, shoved into a closet where it folded over on itself in a U. Well, about 2 weeks ago, I took it to the new house and unrolled it in one of the spare bedrooms. That poor rug--I figured it was a lost cause. Not just curling, but lumps and humps sticking up here and there, and the nap was sort of pulling apart so you could see the backing in spots. Well, it was a spare room, so I gave it a good vacuuming (hoping that would encourage it to lay flat--it didn't), and left it there. By the time we returned the next weekend, the rug was fine. Nice and flat, the nap had sorted itself out. It looks just fine.

Related Stories

RUGS A Rug Can Make a Room — but What Kind to Choose?

By Sophie Baylis

The perfect rug may be all you need to complete your decor with color, texture and coziness. Here’s how to select the right type

RUGS Prevent Slips and Floor Damage With the Right Rug Pad

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here's what to know about sizes, materials, costs and maintenance of this important companion to your area rugs

ART 8 Ways Vermeer’s Work Can Make Its Mark in Your Home

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Go Dutch with stained glass, Oriental rugs, checkered floors and delft tile

DECORATING GUIDES Stretch Your Design Possibilities With Polyester

By Culpepper Carpets & Interiors, Inc.

You know it from psychedelic stretch pants (er, maybe not personally). But did you know it's now in rugs, coatings and glass substitutes?

PETS 5 Finishes Pets and Kids Can’t Destroy — and 5 to Avoid

By Christine Tusher

Save your sanity and your decorating budget by choosing materials and surfaces that can stand up to abuse

WINDOWS How to Ditch the Drapes and Let Your Windows Shine

By Toronto Interior Design Group

If your home has beautiful windows and you don’t need to hide a view, consider dressing them in these elegant, creative ways

FURNITURE Smart Shopper: How to Choose a Sofa Bed

Comfort and convenience — today's sleep sofas offer both. Here's what to consider to get the right sleeper for you

FLOORS Will Cork Float for Your Bathroom Floor?

By Rachel Grace

Get the facts on advantages, disadvantages, costs and installation to see if a cork bathroom floor is right for you

COLOR Set the Mood: 5 Colors for a Calming Bedroom

By Jennifer Ott Design

Stressed? Can't sleep? Consider one of these cool, soothing hues for your walls

FURNITURE How to Keep Your Upholstery Looking Good

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

You wouldn't expect your car to maintain itself. Show your sofa and chairs the same courtesy with this 3-part strategy

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

Your most prized desk possession

18

Tim Curry has died too

10

Smile today - 8/27/26

4

White corn meal?

13

Interesting new podcast produced by an always interesting person

5