Carpets...'relaxing'

[EcclesCake]

How long should it take large rugs to relax and become flat?

They have been stored folded for longer than they should have and the creases are taking a while to ease out.

Is there anything I can do to accelerate to process?

[Canary42]

When I had this trouble with a carpet I inverted my (heavy oak) dinner table on it and left in for a day which was effective - had to do it several times to cover the whole carpet of course.

[EcclesCake]

Hmmm, it's going to look a little crazy but the weight and surface area may well do the trick!

I was wondering if steaming the carpets would make a difference but was wary of using steam on good quality carpets and thought the effect would be more pronounced if the steaming was done on the underside?!?!?

If no other suggestions are forthcoming I might go with the low risk upturned dining table approach.

Supper on my knees for a few nights won't hurt!

[EcclesCake]

As I can't find a strong young man to help me flip my dining table.....does anyone else have any other suggestions?

I will try the dining table ironing approach in due course.......

[Psybbo]

Steam iron at a few inches away?

[pixie373]

Depends how big the rugs are. Heavy books?

[EcclesCake]

I'd need the British library.......these are big rugs!

[EcclesCake]

So a few weeks on and they are still looking like a ploughed field........

More suggestions appreciated!

[tonyav]

Eccles have you tried hanging it up for a while.

[EcclesCake]

Good idea Tony......I just can't think where I could hang them!

Over the bannister is the best option but they are too big for that :-(

Washing line isn't an option either as I have a whirligig and they are too big for that too!

[divegirl]

Could you not roll then as tightly as you can for a couple of days?

Or maybe a run over with the iron.... cover the carpet with a damp tea towel or sheet?

Lisa x

[EcclesCake]

These carpets would laugh in the face of my trusty Tefal iron!

They are getting better but it is soooooooo sloooooooow!

Rolling them up may help, trouble is I have visitors due over the next couple of weeks :-(

[vodkancoke]

My Mum had the same problem with large rugs that had been stored for a long time. She used a steam iron held above the rugs. She also placed a double bed-sheet over the rugs and steam ironed them lightly.It takes time but the creases came out.

[237SJ]

Have you asked at the local rug store? I would have thought that the o.ly solution would be steam. Maybe you could hire a steamer such as they use to refresh clothes in shops

[andres]

Try rolling them up with the pile on the inside??

[EcclesCake]

Thanks all, I think I might give the steam approach a go.

I know that it will be most effective done on the back of the carpets although reluctant to have have carpets upturned for 24 hrs or so while they thoroughly dry out, I will not take any risks turning them over whilst there is the slightest hint of moisture in them.

I think I'll just have to bite the bullet as the current situation cannot continue while we have visitors!