Most rugs are shipped rolled up to make it easier to transport. Most new rugs will have at least some curl on the edges when you first unroll it.
Let it Settle
The first suggestion is kind of a lazy one. If you’ve just unrolled a brand new rug and it has some ripples from packing, usually if you smooth it down, reverse roll the rug so the bent fibers are forced to lay in the opposite direction. Flatten the rug as flat as you possibly can applying weight evenly and firmly. Leave it alone for a day or two, the fibers will relax and the rug will start to flatten out on its own. In some cases, gravity & patience are all you’ll need to get your rug in perfect shape. But for best results, try placing the rug on a hard floor while it relaxes, even if you eventually plan to use it on a carpet.
Sometimes when the rest of the rug relaxes, the corners still won’t lie flat. In that case, your next step depends on which way the corners are curling. If they’re curling upward, fold them slightly under and leave it alone for a day or two. But if they’re curling under, you’ll want to either flip the rug over and curl the corners under, or simply weigh down each corner with a heavy object (books, a piece of furniture, etc.) to help force the carpet fibers to relax.
Small rugs are quite easy to flatten out by using the weight of your mattress. Place the rug flat between your mattress and base. This method works even on stubborn creases and curling – the longer you leave the rug under the mattress, the flatter it gets.
Tape it down
If you’re looking for a fast way to flatten your rug, head to your local furniture or home improvement store and grab some double-sided carpet tape. When applied to the back of your rug, the tape will adhere to the floor and hold your rug in place. It effectively flattens existing creases and prevents any new ones. Carpet tape generally works on both hard floors and existing wall-to-wall carpet. Just be sure to press firmly and smooth the rug down before adhering.
Turn on the Iron
If you’ve tried leaving it alone, flipping it over, or weighing it down and your rug still isn’t laying flat after a few days have passed, you can always turn to your trusty iron to do the trick. The curled area of a rug can be ironed on a low setting, but just be sure to use a barrier between the heat of the iron and the rug. Craft paper works well for this purpose. When opting for the iron, you’ll want to keep it minimal to prevent scorching, melting, or any other heat damage.
Use the Sun
If the heat from an iron didn’t work, or you just want to avoid the potential damage to your rug, you can try spreading the rug out over clean concrete or asphalt outdoors. This should preferably be done on a dry and sunny afternoon. If the temperature happens to be at least 75 of 80 degrees, that’s even better, because now the ground has had time to absorb the sun’s heat. If you leave the rug out under direct sunlight for a little while, that’s often all it takes to release any creases or wrinkles.
Grab the Hair Dryer
If the iron or sun wasn’t successful, you can also opt for a hairdryer used on the backside of the rug. You’ll want to gently heat the creased area and then release it. In order to prevent the possibility of melting your rug’s fibers, be sure to hold the hairdryer at least six to nine inches away and use a sweeping motion on a low to medium setting. Never hold the dryer steady in one position–you’ll always want to keep it moving.