How To flatten a kilim rug Easily | Tips & Tricks 

Many rugs have a tendency to curl at the edges due to there being too much tension in the foundation strings. This is usually because the tension was not adjusted sufficiently in certain areas when the rug was being made. A thick pile rug that is very tightly woven will be more susceptible to curling. Flatweave rugs with no pile can also curl although this is usually due to water coming into contact with the rug. In this case, the wool can shrink unevenly causing the rug to curl. 

First, let’s talk about how to prevent those curls from happening in the first place. And, if you take the proper steps, your rug should lie flat the next time you unfold it, even if it’s been sitting in your closet for quite some time.

Clean the kilim rug thoroughly 

Before you put your rug away in storage, always be sure to give it a proper cleaning. And no, we don’t just mean a light vacuuming. To properly clean your rug, start by vacuuming it with a high-quality vacuum. If you don’t own a high-quality vacuum, take the time to rent one. Using a high-quality vacuum helps ensure that all of the dirt, dust, and other microscopic particles that don’t need to be there.

After you vacuum the rug, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep in mind that a lot of rugs aren’t machine-washable. And, even the ones that have special washing instructions. Therefore, never guess how your rug should be washed, as washing your rug the wrong way could easily destroy it.

Here are a few tips to help your kilim rug to lie flat: 

• Iron 

Take a wet towel and moisten the areas where the carpet is curling. Next, take an iron and set it to medium heat. With the towel still covering the carpeted area, hold down the iron and press. This should flatten the areas out. Do not set the iron at too high a heat as this could leave burn marks.

• Heavy furniture 

Take the carpet and place it in the affected spot. Take available pieces of furniture and place it around the corners. This is usually where the curling is particularly bad. It may not be the best look for a room but it is only temporary and should sort the problem out within a week or so. Once that time has passed, remove the furniture to reveal a hopefully flattened area rug.

• Books 

For some, space limitations may not allow for furniture to be used. In this situation, get your hands on all of the large-sized books that you have to hand. Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, phone books, and so forth are the best but any large, heavy book will do. Leave the books in place for a week or two. 

• Sleepover it 

For really stubborn area rugs there is one final solution to be tried. Remove the area rug from the floor and place it between your mattress and box spring. Make sure it is lying completely flat. Leave it for at least a week before you check the result. This method should work for rugs that are badly curled at the corners. The rug needs to be the size of the bed or smaller for the best results.

• Store in a cool environment: 

Last but not least, make sure you store your rug in a cool, dry environment, and preferably one that’s off the ground. Also, don’t place anything on top of the rug, as this can cause cracks and creases.

And to make sure the rug stays cool and dry, you can blow a fan or a dehumidifier on it.