Repair Unsightly Carpet Dents With An Unexpected Item From Your Wallet

If you haven't rearranged your furniture in a while, don't be surprised if you notice some carpet dents when you finally get around to it. Heavy objects — especially the legs of heavy furniture — can push down into your carpet and change its shape. Dents of any size can be unsightly, so if you can't get rid of them, you may avoid rearranging your home altogether. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of these dents and make your old carpet look new again. Unless you've had your furniture in the same spot for decades, these dents usually aren't permanent and can be removed with the right know-how. All you'll need is a bit of moisture and a penny from your wallet.

A common trick for breathing new life into your flooring is to use ice cubes on your carpet dents. If you leave a few pieces of ice on the affected area, the carpet fibers will slowly absorb the water and rise back up. Just be sure to soak up any excess with a sponge or towel. Next, take a penny and rub the area with a back-and-forth motion to help the fibers return to their original position. The friction should liven up the dent and make your carpet look practically as good as new.

If you don't want to leave ice cubes on your floor, there's also a clever iron hack that can fix matted carpet. For a small dent, hold a steam iron about 5 inches above it to create moisture. For deeper dents, place a damp towel down first. Set the iron to medium and place a small amount of pressure on the towel. Check the carpet as you go to ensure you're not scorching it. As with the ice cube trick, remove excess moisture once you've finished. If you don't have a penny to provide friction, other hard objects will work — try another type of coin or a piece of silverware.

While you can remove carpet dents after the fact, remember that it's always better to prevent them in the first place. Be careful when placing your furniture on carpeting; always place coasters, carpet scraps, or another barrier between the legs of your furniture and the floor. You may also find it helpful to rearrange your layout more often. Adjusting your furniture's placement by just a couple of inches every few weeks can help prevent the compression that causes dents.