Rug Corners Curling Up? (Read these 7 Causes)

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If you’ve noticed your rug corners curling up, there are a few possible causes. It could be due to the rug being too small for the room or it is made of a material that isn’t very resilient and so the traffic is causing it to bunch up.

Whatever the cause, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem, which we shall talk about in this article.

causes of rug corners curling up

Causes of rug corners curling up

If you notice rug corners curling up, it is mainly due to too much tension in the foundation strings, which might be caused by leaving the rug wet over a long period. Also, poor binding and backing can create tension and cause the rug to curl faster than expected.

Other possible causes of curling might include;

1. Foot traffic

Curled-up rug corners can also be due to excessive foot traffic.

Every time somebody steps on the corner of the rug, their weight put a tiny bit of pressure on it causing the fibers to compress slightly.

Over time, these compressed fibers start to make the corners of the carpet curl up.

2. The rug is not lying flat

Another possible cause is that the rug isn’t lying flat against the floor. If there’s a gap between the rug and the floor, that space can create a vacuum and cause the rug to curl up.

2. Poorly made rug

If the rug was poorly made, the corners may not have been sewn down properly and they are now curling up.

Also, the weaving might have been made too tight which causes the fabric, not to “breath” and will start to warp.

Another possibility is that they did not stretch out the rug properly when it was made, which can also cause it to warp over time.

Moreover, if the yarns are not of high quality or if they are made of an inferior fiber, they might start to break down and fray, which will also cause curling up of the carpet at the corners.

  • Material of the rug

Curling can also happen if you have a rug that’s made from synthetic fiber such as nylon, polyester, or acrylic.

Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or jute are less prone to this issue.

  • The rug is too small

Another possibility is that the rug is too small for space. If the Rug is too small, it will bunch up and the corners will curl up.

You need to get the right size of the rug pad as well as the area rug so that it lays down well on the floor.

  • Pets

Do you have pets? If you do, they may have been playing on the rug and caused the corners to curl up.

If you suspect that your pet is responsible, you should try to train them not to play on the Rug or keep them off of it entirely.

  • New rug

If your rug is new and has just been installed, it might need some time to “relax” and flatten out.

You can help speed this process along by misting the area with water and then leaving it to dry thoroughly.

How to fix curled rug corners

One of the easiest ways to fix curling rug corners is by using a steam cleaner. The steamer will help to moisten the rug corners gently so as to loosen the fibers and allow them to relax and lay flat. Other ways to fix curled-up rug corners include;

1. Iron the corners

If you have a corner that’s curling up on your rug, you can use an iron to fix it. First, wet the curled corners and then place a thin towel over them. Set the iron on a low heat setting and press down on the corner for a few seconds.

You might need to do this a few times to get the corner to stay flat. Be careful not to place the iron over the carpet binding since it can get damaged easily.

2. Rug pad grippers

Rug pad grippers are little rubber nubs that you stick to the bottom of your rug to keep it from slipping around on your floor. These Adhesive Rug Gripper Pads for instance are used to keep rug corners from curling up and can be reused a few times.

Rug pad grippers are pretty easy to use. Simply peel off the adhesive backing at the back and press the gripper firmly to the underside of your rug at each corner.

They will hold the curled-up corners in place as well as prevent your rug from moving around on the floor.

3. Steam cleaner

One way to get wrinkles out of an area rug is by using a steam cleaner and it can also be used to uncurl the corners of the rug.

Place the nozzle attachment of the steam cleaner over the curled corners. Turn the steam cleaner on and slowly move it over the area for about 30 seconds. Allow the steam to penetrate the fibers and relax them.

After 30 seconds, turn off the machine and wait for the rug to cool down. You can weigh down the corners with something heavy as it cools.

4. Double-sided tape

A double-sided tape is a type of adhesive that can be used to attach two surfaces together. It is called “double-sided” because it has adhesive on both sides of the tape.

This type of tape is can be used to fix curled rug corners.

To do this, first cut a piece of double-sided tape using a pair of scissors.  Attach it to the backside of the curled corners of the rug and then press it down so that it sticks to the floor.

5. Rug corner weights

Rug corner weights are little weights that you can use to keep your rug corners from curling.

You can buy them at most hardware stores, and they’re really easy to use.

The weights are designed to stick to the rug and weigh it down without sticking to the floor. For instance, these NeverCurl weights are the best for your hardwood floors since they won’t damage them or cause scratches.

Just place them in the corners of your rug, and they’ll weigh it down and keep it from curling up.

If your rug starts to curl up anyway, just give it a little push down with your foot to put the weight back in place.

How to keep a rug from curling up 

The following are a few things you can do to prevent your rug corners from curling up on your carpet.

  • Make sure you purchase a rug that is the right size for the space it will be occupying. It should not be too small or too large for the space.
  • Tuck the edges of the rug under some furniture or use adhesive tape to keep it in place.
  • Vacuum your rug regularly to remove dirt and debris that can build up over time under the rug and cause the edges to curl up.
  • Steam clean your rug often especially at the edges to relax the fibers and enable the rug to lay flat

Final Thoughts

Are your rug corners curling up and you are wondering how to fix them?

We have highlighted some simple DIY methods you can keep the edges of your rugs from curling up.

For instance, you can try weighting down the corners with heavy objects or rug corner weights. If that doesn’t work, you can try using rug pad grippers, or double-sided tape to secure the corners in place.

Ironing and steam cleaning the corners also work quite well in keeping them flat on the floor.

Whichever method you choose, you will be able to keep the curled corners down as well as prevent further curling in the future.

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