Moving: It’s kind of a pain! And while you know how to pack up your pots, pans, books, accents, and clothing, rugs are a bit of a different story. They’re large, bulky, and don’t easily fit into your typical moving box. So how exactly do you pack up your rugs when moving? We’ve got your guide right here! It requires a little extra care and effort, but will ensure your rugs make it to your new home looking just as good as they did in your old place. Let’s get into it!
Step 1: Clean Your Rugs Before Moving
First things first: Before rolling up and packing your rugs, you’ll want to give them a good cleaning. After all, you don’t want to track dirt and mess from your old house into your new space! Plus, it’s important to give your rugs a thorough cleaning from time to time, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
You have a few different options for cleaning your rugs before moving:
- Take the professional route, and have a rug-cleaning service pick up and clean your rugs. This will likely be the most expensive option, but also the best way to give your rugs an extremely thorough cleaning. We’d recommend this route if you haven’t had your rugs professionally cleaned in awhile (or ever—but no judgement!) or if you notice foul odors or pesky spots on the rug.
- Rent a heavy-duty rug vacuum from your local hardware store, and give them a cleaning that way. These vacuums will provide a deeper clean than your average household vacuum, and are typically pretty inexpensive to rent for the day.
- Do it yourself by giving your rugs a thorough vacuum, then taking them outside to beat with a sturdy stick to get rid of extra dirt. You might also consider laying them out on a flat surface in the sun for a few hours to air them out and get rid of lingering odors.
If you notice your rugs are beyond repair—meaning they have tears, odors that won’t come out, or particularly large and permanent stains—don’t be afraid to toss them and find a fresh style for your new home. A new rug will make your space feel even more special—and our prices here at Rugs USA make it easy and affordable to find the perfect piece!
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Step 2: Pack Your Rugs for Moving
If you’re hiring professional movers, they’ll likely take care of the wrapping up and packing of your rugs. But if you’re not, this is the best method for packing up your rugs for moving. If your rug is large, make sure to have someone on hand to help if you need it!
- Flip your rug upside-down (with the pile facing the floor), and begin rolling it up from the short side, not the long side. Facing the pile out will put less pressure on the backing, while rolling from the short side will make the rug easier to manage and move around. Do not fold your rug—this can cause creasing that will be difficult to reverse.
- Once your rug is rolled up into a proper burrito, tie it on both sides with sturdy string or twine. Do not use tape at this stage, which can cause permanent damage to your rug.
- Wrap your rug tightly with packing paper or brown kraft paper, which you can find in large dimensions at your local hardware store. Secure with packing tape on both ends. You can also use a packing blanket or an old sheet or quilt. We recommend against wrapping it with plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to mildew formation—especially if you’ll be storing the rug for bit.
- Now it’s time to move the rug! Place it carefully onto your moving truck, either on the floor or on top of a mostly flat surface. Be sure not to place anything on top of the rug—especially heavy furniture or boxes—to avoid damage from the added pressure.
Step 3: Unpack Your Rugs
Great news: The hard part is done! You’ve packed, you’ve moved—and now, it’s time to make your new space feel just like home! Luckily, unpacking your rugs after moving is easy. Carefully cut away the tape, paper, and twine. Then simply roll them out! It’s normal for your rugs to curl up on the ends immediately after unrolling. Give them a few days to flatten, or use heavy books or furniture to speed up the process. And that’s it!