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[Travone]

I recently moved into a new home and ordered 2 area rugs.  One from Kohl's an 8x10 for the living room,  and one from Amazon a 7x9 indoor outdoor for the sun room.   To my surprise both were delivered folded up in boxes.   I've laid them out and tried putting heavy items on them,  but I can't get the folds and wrinkles out.  Any suggestions? TIA 

[FLtricia]

My daughter received a folded area rug for her living room shortly before Christmas.  It kept the fold marks for a few days, but by Christmas Eve the rug was smooth.  I was surprised to see rugs shipped that way, but I guess it is easier to handle during the shipping process

I hope your rugs relax their fold marks soon.

[Nightowlz]

Here's a lot of info from Google AI.

I would try back rolling & lay as flat as possible on the floor in the sun for a couple of days first to see if the rug will relax the fibers. Hope some of this info. will help you. 

To flatten an area rug shipped in a box, you need to address the creases and wrinkles caused by folding or rolling during shipping. Here's how:

1. Unroll and Flip:

• Unroll the rug completely:

  Unroll it in the opposite direction it was rolled during shipping. This helps relax the fibers.
• Flip the rug:

  If the corners are curling under, flip the rug over and fold the corners in the opposite direction. 

2. Time and Gravity:

• Give it time:

  Rug fibers often relax over time, so simply leaving the rug unrolled for a few days can help it flatten.
• Weight it down:

  Place heavy objects like books, furniture, or moving boxes on top of the wrinkled areas to help flatten them out. 

3. Steam and Heat:

• Steam or iron: If the wrinkles persist, try using a steamer or a clothes iron on a low setting with a damp cloth to coax the fibers back into shape.
• Avoid direct heat: Never iron directly on the rug, and use a damp cloth as a barrier. 

4. Rug Tape and Other Techniques:

• Rug tape:

  Use rug tape or painter's tape around the edges and on any areas with persistent wrinkles to train the rug to lay flat. 
• Back-rolling:

  If the rug is curled, try rolling it in the opposite direction of its original curl to help flatten it. 
• Sunlight:

  Laying the rug in direct sunlight can help relax the fibers and flatten the rug. 

Additional Tips:

• Avoid folding: Try to store or transport rugs horizontally rather than vertically to prevent permanent creases. 
• Underpad: Use a rug pad to help prevent bunching and shifting on the floor. 
• Rug tape: Use rug tape to secure the edges and prevent the rug from bunching. 
• Padding: Place a rug pad underneath to help flatten the rug and prevent slipping. 

[We rescue cats]

@Travone Have you tried using a steamer on them? I have a steam mop and that is my solution for eliminating folds or corners that don't want to lie flat.

[Travone]

@We rescue cats 

@Nightowlz 

@FLtricia 

Thank you all.  All very good suggestions. 

[Kachina624]

Spritz some hot tap water on the backside, then flatten them.

I've ordered many, many rugs online of all sizes and they've all come rolled.

[Desertdi]

I once tripped and fell on a "bump" on an area rug...  "Almost" knocked my teeth out. 

Rolled it up and set it out on the front curb.    Somebody walked off with it within a couple hours...   

[Travone]

@Desertdi.  That's what I'm afraid of.   It's very dangerous.   I just assumed they would be rolled,  not folded. 

[Trailrun23]

I am currently shopping online for some area rugs; most sites note that rugs larger than 8X10 are shipped folded in boxes; I guess that is good to know!

[Nonametoday]

@Travone 

Turn the heat up high in your house.  They want to curl up if it is very cool but they will likely unfurl much easier if they are warm  Once the house is pretty warm, lay some heavy things on them and then vacuum.  I have done this several times.