How To Restore Crushed Carpet
When you move a piece of heavy furniture and discover badly crushed carpet beneath it, you might think that the only way to deal with the eyesore is to cover it up again, or make a hefty investment in a brand new carpet. However, there's usually no need for such drastic action. You can restore crushed carpet fibres quite simply. Read on to find out more.
Before you start
Before you begin the restoration process, it's important to establish whether the carpet is just crushed or if it's actually damaged. If there is discolouration around the crushed area, or if there are bare patches where you can see the carpet's hessian backing, it is highly likely that the carpet is actually damaged and will therefore need professional restoration. However, if the carpet just appears flattened, you should be able to revitalise it easily yourself using items that you already have in your home.
Before you use this method, always test a small inconspicuous area of carpet using just one ice cube, as some dyes will run if exposed to moisture. If you have wood flooring beneath your carpets, always test first, as moisture may cause damage to the wood.
If your carpets or rugs are very valuable or are hand-dyed, it's recommended that you contact a professional firm of experienced carpet restorers to carry out this job.
What you'll need
- ice cubes
- vacuum cleaner
- stiff brush
How to do it
- Begin by vacuuming the carpet to lift any bits of dust out of the fibres and to aerate them.
- Next, use a stiff brush to gently brush the carpet to try to lift the pile. Don't get too vigorous here; your aim is just to begin the process of fluffing-up the fibres.
- Now, place the ice cubes a few centimetres apart along the crushed areas of the carpet. Leave the ice in place overnight until it has melted.
- Allow the carpet to air-dry completely.
- When the carpet is dry, vacuum it again. You should find that the crushed carpet pile returns to its usual, upright position. If a few patches still appear slightly squashed, use your fingers to gently ruffle the fibres and vacuum the area again.
In conclusion
In most cases, you can restore crushed carpets to their original condition by following the guidelines set out above. If your carpets are damaged, hand-dyed or very valuable, contact your local carpet restoration contractor to carry out the necessary work for you.