How to Wrap a Rug

Wrapping a rug properly is crucial to keeping it clean and protected, whether you’re putting it into storage, moving, or shipping it to someone. An improperly wrapped rug risks permanent damage from moisture, pests, or rough handling. In this comprehensive guide, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I’ll walk you through the entire process of prepping, rolling, protecting, and packaging your rug.

Clean and Inspect Your Rug Thoroughly

Before wrapping your rug, give it a deep clean to prevent odors, stains, or pests from developing while it’s stored. This is also a good chance to carefully inspect your rug for any existing damage, frays, or flaws that may need special attention when rolling.

For antique, handmade, or delicate rugs, I highly recommend getting a professional rug cleaning. The experts use specialized solutions and techniques to clean the rug while preserving its fibers and dyes.

If professionally cleaning isn’t feasible, here are a few at-home methods:

Vacuum thoroughly – Use the appropriate vacuum head and settings for your rug’s material. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas.
Spot treat stains – Dab stain remover onto any spots, let it soak in, then blot away. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Shake outdoors – If possible, take your rug outside and give it a good shake out to remove deeply embedded dust and grit.

Once cleaned, allow your rug to fully air dry before wrapping it. Any lingering moisture can encourage mold growth over time.

Determine the Best Way to Roll Your Rug

Rugs should always be rolled, never folded, for storage or transport. Folding places concentrated pressure on the fibers, often resulting in difficult-to-remove creases. Rolling distributes pressure evenly across the rug’s surface.

When rolling your rug:

Roll with or against the nap, depending on rug type. For handwoven rugs, roll against the nap. For machine-made, roll with the nap.
Start from one end and neatly roll toward the other end. Keep the roll tight but not stretched.
Try to get an even, straight roll without bending the rug.

If dealing with a large or heavy rug, you may need to fold the sides in before rolling:

Fold both sides to meet at the centerline. The edges should overlap slightly.
Begin rolling tightly from the bottom edge upward.

Wrap in Protective Materials

Once rolled, your rug needs an outer layer to protect it from dirt, moisture, and damage.

For short-term storage or moving, plastic tarps or heavy-duty trash bags work well:

Wrap the rolled rug completely in plastic, covering the ends fully.
Secure the plastic with duct tape, rope, or zip ties. But leave enough loose plastic at the ends to tightly seal them.

For longer-term storage or shipping, breathable fabric is ideal:

Wrap the rolled rug in a cotton sheet, blanket, or other fabric.
Use twine, rope, or fabric ties to securely bundle the fabric around the rug.

The key thing is fully protecting your rug while still allowing some airflow. Prolonged entrapment in sealed plastic can lead to mildew and odor over months or years.

Box Your Rug Securely

For maximum protection during transport, your wrapped rug should be placed inside a sturdy box or crate.

Select a box just larger than your rug’s bundle. Too much extra room allows the rug to shift and bend.
Line the bottom and sides with extra padding – bubble wrap, packing paper, foam.
If shipping, mark the box clearly as fragile with “this side up” arrows.

For oversized rugs, custom plywood crates may be needed. Work with specialty movers or shippers experienced in transporting bulky rugs.

For rugs you’re moving yourself, carrying the rug wrapped in blankets or tarps is fine for quick local transport in ideal weather. Just ensure it stays fully protected from precipitation or debris.

Unroll and Allow Time to Flaten

Upon arrival at its destination, promptly unbox and unroll your rug to lie flat. Don’t stand the rug rolled up or folded for prolonged periods, as creases can become stubbornly set over time.

If storing the rug:

Roll it out over a tarp or blanket, avoiding direct contact with concrete or bare floors. Rotate occasionally.
Place heavy furniture or boxes around the edges to weigh it flat if needed.

After unrolling from storage or shipping:

Vacuum the surface to fluff the pile and remove loose debris.
Expect some unevenness or curling at the edges. This should relax flat over a few days as fibers decompress.
For fine antique rugs with stubborn creases, ironing methodically on the reverse side may help them relax fully flat again. Professional rug specialists can also steam and stretch creased areas on such rugs after unrolling.

The Bottom Line

With proper care taken rolling, wrapping, and unrolling your rug, you can keep it looking great despite periods of storage, transport, or shipping. Paying attention to the details at each step reduces the risks of permanent damage. Your rug will unfurl soft, vibrant, and resilient every time.