How to Remove Furniture Indentations

Carpeting with a loose nap is susceptible to dents.

Any material that is constructed of fibers, like carpeting, upholstered furniture and even vehicle seating, is subject to indentations after prolonged contact with a heavy object. For example, moving furniture often reveals carpet indentations from furniture contact, and taking a child safety seat out of a vehicle might reveal indentations left by the weight of the seat and the child. It may seem as though the dents are there to stay, but a few simple techniques will have your carpet and your upholstery dent free in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Ice cubes
• Hair dryer
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Fabric refresher (if needed)

Instructions

Indentations in Carpet

1. 

   One ice cube in each dent works well when moving tables and chairs.

   Lay an ice cube in the indentation and allow it to melt. You may use more than on ice cube for large indentations. The fibers will unbind as the ice melts and restore the carpet to its original fullness. If you require a faster result, use a hairdryer to melt the ice and heat the carpet fibers. Keep the dryer moving continuously and use your fingers to massage the carpet as the ice melts.

2. 

   Any hair dryer will work for this project.

   Spray the carpet indentation with water from spray bottle when ice is not available. Thoroughly saturate the fibers and use a hair dryer to dry and fluff the fibers back to their original state.

3. Use your fingers to pull the carpet fibers up to their "standing" position. This trick is less effective but can work in a pinch (i.e., If you're showing a home for sale).

Indentations in Upholstered Furniture

1. Fill your spray bottle with water and spray the upholstery dent thoroughly. Turn on the blow dryer and begin heating the dent. Keep the dryer moving and use your fingers to massage the dent until dry. Using moisture and heat will speed the expansion of the fibers.

2. Repeat step 2 until the dent is no longer visible. This technique can be used on mattresses and foam mattress toppers as well.

3. Spray the indentation with carpet refresher and heat the area with your blow dryer if all else fails. Use your fist to pound the area surrounding the dent and repeat the process until the indentation is no longer visible.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not hold the dryer too close the surface of the object; doing so can result in scorching.

References

• Reader's Digest: 5 Things to Do With Ice Cubes
• Washington Post: Hints from Holoise

Resources

• Furniture Care Tips