If you are looking at shipping a large area rug then there are probably some tips of the trade that you might find useful in order to safely guarantee your rug reaches its destination. For instance, one of the first things you may want to do prior to shipment is give the rug a thorough and deep cleaning. Just make sure the rug is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Once your rug is clean and dry, you’ll want to make sure that it is folded as tightly as it can go. One way to ensure its tightness is by first folding it in half or in thirds and then rolling it up. This not only makes it tighter, but also easier to handle.
With that in mind, there are some area rugs that should not be folded. For instance, if you hear a cracking noise as soon as you begin to fold up your rug, you need to stop. The creases that are created by the folds could be permanent or extremely difficult to remove. Which could devalue your rug and certainly detract from its appearance. If you are not 100% sure whether or not a rug could be folded, you can consult with a rug specialist or a trusted freight shipping company that is familiar with these technical nuances and have all the shipping supplies needed.
After you have either folded the rug or rolled up the rug, it’s time to time off to tie it off with heavy-duty twine, box-sealing tape, stretch banding film, or other appropriate styles of packing supplies. It’s important to note that you probably won’t want to allow any of these packing supplies to come into direct content with the surface of the rug. So, before securing the rug, wrap the carpet in a bag or moving blanket.
When choosing what to wrap the carpet in, keep in mind there are several options. For instance, if you choose a polyethylene bag you will want to select an opaque colors such as black rather than transparent. Opaque bags help protect against UV rays and will protect the rug from sun exposure. Just make sure that there are no additives or coatings in the bag that will transfer to your carpet. Sheeting is also a good alternative to a plastic bag, and could be considered a better choice than a moving blanket because it provides more moisture resistance. Regardless of what you wrap your blanket in; just make sure your rug can breathe. Wrapping your carpet airtight can cause it to sweat. Which can create discoloration, warping, or a breeding ground for moths. You can help reduce the risk of moth damage by placing moth crystals on the rug before wrapping it.
Once your rug is packed and ready to go, you now need to choose a shipping option. Parcel shipping services are a good option when the area rug is smaller. Provided that it does not exceed weight or girth limits. However, the most cost-effective option is to ship your area rug with a less-than-truckload freight company. These companies specialize in transportation of smaller shipments consisting of various types of products. Often times these companies have a lot of experience with items such as rugs and other common household furniture.
Shipping a rug can be safe, easy, and hassle free. Just follow the tips we gave you, and we guarantee that your rug will get to its destination without a scratch.