4 Designer-Approved Ways to Get Rid of Outdoor Rug Dents Fast

If your favorite outdoor rug is looking dented—most likely from a piece of furniture sitting on top of it for too long—and you’re not sure how to remedy this issue, don’t panic.

“Even the best-designed patios lose a bit of their polish when rug dents disrupt the surface,” Rachel Blindauer, the founder of an eponymous design firm, says. “But it’s rarely permanent—and always fixable.”

There are a few tried-and-true methods that designers like to follow to restore rugs to their original shape quickly. Here, you will learn more about how to easily implement four different methods—the ice cube method, fluffing and brushing, the heated method, and the weighted approach.

“The key is knowing how to coax the fibers back into place without damaging the weave or colorfastness, especially with synthetic outdoor materials like polypropylene or polyester blends,” Blindauer says.

Between these different techniques, you will be well on your way to fixing your rug issues in no time.

Try the Ice Cube Method

The popular “ice cube method” is something that Blindauer suggests as a first step for removing outdoor rug dents. All you have to do is take an ice cube from your freezer, place it on the dent in question, and give it some time to melt.

“The water helps relax the compressed weave, and after blotting excess moisture, you can gently lift the fibers with a spoon edge or soft brush,” the designer says.

Of course, you will want to make sure that your rug dries fully after this exercise is complete, Blindauer adds, as you do not want it to retain moisture.

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Fluff and Brush Your Rug

If you’re dealing with a textured rug, Blindauer also recommends grabbing a soft-bristled brush—even a toothbrush will be fine, she explains—and applying it to the dented area following some light steam or water application.

“It’s not about force—it’s about repetition and patience,” she says.

Isfira Jensen, the CEO and principal interior designer at Jensen & Co. Interiors, likes to incorporate a blowdryer into this approach and recommends turning yours on medium heat for a few minutes while fluffing or brushing the fibers back into shape as they dry.

Use Heat on the Rug

Another common approach to deal with rug dents is using heat, be it with the help of a hair dryer or another tool. Blindauer recommends holding a handheld steamer several inches above the rug. By warming up the fibers, they can bounce back into shape and your dent will disappear.

Do be mindful not to directly apply heat to your rug, though, Blindauer says, noting that this may cause permanent warping.

Try a Weighted Approach

A final method that Blindauer suggests is to reverse the pressure on the rug. This involves first wetting or steaming the dented area using the ice cube method or the heat method detailed above. Then, take a rolled-up towel and place it beneath the rug or while putting weight on the top area of the rug (you can use an actual hand weight for this or just grab something heavy, like a pile of books or a sculptural object from your home).

“This counter-pressure trick helps restore the rug’s shape by gently stretching and resetting the fibers,” the designer says.

Jensen recommends leaving your heavy object on the rug overnight for maximum effect.

Take Preventative Measures

Wondering how you can work to prevent rug dents going forward? Blindauer suggests using felt or rubber furniture pads on your outdoor furniture. Another method she advises is periodically rotating your patio furniture to prevent deep dents.

“Think of it like rotating your tires,” Blindauer says. “Quiet maintenance that pays off in the long run.”