How to remove carpet dents from furniture — easy fixes that actually work

Green sofa in beige carpet in living room
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Ever rearranged your furniture only to find those stubborn carpet dents underneath? Beyond learning expert tips to keep your carpets looking brand new and discovering hacks to remove burns and paint, sometimes it's the simpler fixes that really make a difference.

Those deep impressions left by heavy furniture can make your carpet look uneven and worn, but don't worry — they're not permanent. Whether you have synthetic or natural fiber carpeting, there are several proven methods to restore your carpet's original appearance, and most use items you already have at home.

From ice cubes and steam irons to hairdryers, you can easily lift those unsightly dents using simple household tools. The key is knowing which method works best for your type of carpet fiber. Let's explore how to get your carpet looking smooth and fresh again.

1. Fix synthetic carpet dents with ice

(Image: © Shutterstock)

Place ice cubes over the furniture dents and let them melt overnight. How many ice cubes you use will depend on the surface area of your furniture dents.

As the ice melts, the carpet fibers will absorb the water and gradually swell back to their original position. Once dry, blot any excess moisture with a clean cloth and gently brush the fibers to restore their texture.

You can also use a spoon or a coin to lift up the compressed carpet threads to get them back into shape.

2. Use steam for natural fibres

(Image: © Shutterstock)

For wool, sisal, or cotton carpets, a steam iron works best. On the lowest heat setting, hold the iron about 10-15cm above the dent (never press directly on the carpet) and steam until the fibers are hot and damp.

Let the area dry overnight, then use a soft brush to restore the carpet's natural texture.

3. Try the hairdryer method

(Image: © Tom's Guide)

If you don't have a steam iron, a hairdryer is a great alterantive. Lightly spray the dented area with water and use a hairdryer on high heat, holding it about 10-15cm away. Then follow up by brushing the fibres or using a coin.

Maintaining results

(Image: © Shutterstock)

After successfully removing the dents, take preventive steps to avoid future impressions. Place furniture cups or pads under heavy pieces, and try to rotate furniture positions when you can.

This not only prevents deep dents but also helps your carpet wear more evenly. Regular vacuuming is essential too, as it helps maintain the carpet's resilience and keeps fibers upright and strong.


Now that your carpet is furniture dent-free, why not explore some of our other home articles. Check out how to clean gardening gloves and make them last longer, how to clean a toaster oven — remove burn-on grease fast, and 5 things I wish I knew before buying an air purifier.

Kaycee Hill
Tutorials editor

Kaycee is an Editor at Tom’s Guide and has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her journey into the tech world began as Cazoo's Knowledge Content Specialist, igniting her enthusiasm for technology. When she’s not exploring the latest gadgets and innovations, Kaycee can be found immersed in her favorite video games, or penning her second poetry collection. 

Read more
Dog on beige sofa in living room
5 quick hacks to get rid of pet hair in your home
The image shows a glass bowl, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of liquid laundry detergent and a jar of baking soda on a wooden table
I tried the viral toothpaste and warm iron DIY mattress cleaning hack for brown stains — these are my results
Dyson V7
I tried this DIY vacuum cleaning hack — and it solved one of my biggest problems
Carpet rake carpet cleaner
This handy tool fixed the hardest step of cleaning my carpets — and it's only $7
Tineco Floor One S7 with iLoop Smart Sensor technology.
5 mistakes you’re making when cleaning floors — and expert tips to avoid them
A woman's hand holding a magnifying glass magnifying bed bugs on a mattress
3 home remedies that can actually get rid of bed bugs
Latest in Home
a photograph of the dreame h12 pro wet and dry vacuum cleaner cleaning up spilled cheerios on a hardwood floor with an amazon spring sales deals badge
I loathe spring cleaning — but these awesome Amazon Big Spring Sale vacuum deals might make me change my mind
Corsori 9-in-1 air fryer
I use this air fryer every day — and it's 25% off now for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Shark HydroVac MessMaster floor cleaner
My favorite Shark wet and dry vacuum just crashed in price for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Person using the Command Clear Hooks to organize cables
I use these Command sticky wall strips to hang pictures and organize cables — and they're 34% off right now in Amazon's Big Spring Sale
EcoSmart Universal Select lightbulb, Home Depot sign and Traeger Woodridge Pro pellet smoker
I just got a sneak peek of hundreds of new Home Depot products for spring — here’s the 5 I’d buy
A mosquito resting on a plant
Experts predict a spring surge in these 9 pest populations — here's what's forecast for your area
Latest in How To
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
Gmail logo on iPhone
I used Google Gemini to declutter my Gmail account — here's how you can do it too
An Amazon Echo speaker with ChatGPT logo next to it
I replaced Alexa with ChatGPT on my Amazon Echo — here's how you can do it too
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
Your earbuds are disgusting — here's the right way to clean them
ChatGPT logo on a smartphone screen being held outside
7 biggest ChatGPT mistakes — and how to fix them
a photo of a woman looking at her fitness tracker
Forget the treadmill — I boosted my metabolism and walked 2,000 steps with this 15-minute workout