Will These Creases Ever Come Out? How to Make Your Rug Lay Flat

So you’ve just purchased a rug and noticed creases, folds, or areas that don’t sit flat. Don’t fret. Due to the organic nature of a rug’s pile and foundation, there is a very good chance these creases will release naturally with time, use, and proper handling.

If a carpet shows creasing or lumpiness after being unrolled, allow it several weeks to settle. In many cases, gentle steaming or the strategic use of weight can help relieve stress introduced during rolling, folding, or storage.

Four Easy Ways to Remove Creases and Fold Marks

You may use any single method below or a combination of several for best results.

1. Back-roll or reverse-roll the rug. This is often the fastest and easiest solution. Roll or gently fold the rug in the opposite direction of the crease. Proceed slowly and listen carefully—if you hear cracking or feel resistance, stop immediately.
2. Apply weight or place heavy furniture on the affected area. Added weight helps accelerate the settling process, often cutting the time required by half.
3. Allow the rug to settle naturally. Simply leaving the rug open and in use for several weeks will often allow tension from rolling or folding to release on its own.
4. Use gentle warmth from sunlight. Place the rug outdoors in direct sunlight for several hours in temperatures between 70–85°F. This helps relax the fibers and makes the rug more supple, especially if combined with reverse-rolling.

As a Last Resort: Professional Steaming

If creases persist, professional steaming may be appropriate. This should be done by a reputable rug retailer or specialist—not an in-home carpet cleaning service. A trained rug expert can quickly determine whether the issue is simple compression from extended folding or a more complex tension imbalance within the rug’s structure.

Example: Creases from Long-Term Storage

The rug shown below was recently opened after approximately ten years in storage. It exhibits classic signs of barrel rolling, a method used to fold and roll rugs into a compact form for handling and transport. While these folds will relax naturally over time, the process can be accelerated.

In this case, the rug was laid flat with plywood placed on top to distribute weight evenly. With added weight, the rug settled in approximately 10 days, compared to an estimated three weeks with regular use and vacuuming alone.

When Creases Indicate a Larger Issue

If a rug has been given sufficient time to settle and creases, buckling, or lumps persist, there may be a more serious structural issue. These rare cases are typically caused by uneven tension within the rug’s foundation.

In such situations, a professional conservator may release tension using a controlled stretching process. The rug is lightly dampened, secured to a nail bed sized to the rug’s dimensions, and left to dry under tension. When significant squaring is required, a light application of starch to the back may be used to reinforce structural stability.