Planning to ship rugs? Then this blog is a must-read for you. We have covered all your need to know about packing and shipping rugs in detail!. So let’s not waste any time and dig in right away.
How to securely pack the rugs
Rugs are quite expensive, and if you are the sole creator, then you will surely know how time consuming it is. Custom-made rugs are rare and can cost a lot. The raw materials themselves cost a fortune and thus need to be packaged in a way that is extremely secure
Carefully roll your rug
If it's a handmade delicate rug, make sure you don’t roll it too tightly. If it's machine-made and is of synthetic origin, it can be tightly rolled up without any worries. This will reduce the shipment size and will save you some shipping charges.
With that said, it's highly recommended to roll the rug by placing a thin sheet of paper or any soft cloth inside. This ensures that the wool or material of the rug don’t rub against each other and cause any deterioration to the surface of the rug.
Wrap the rolled-up rug securely
Next step is to ensure that your rug stays bundled up exactly how you rolled it during the entire journey. This can be made sure by wrapping the rolled rug with acid-free paper or any kind of breathable, lightweight cloth like cotton. Don’t use a heavy, textured cloth like jute, as it can easily rub against the rug and cause lint to form on the surface. The heavy materials might also retain moisture and can cause your rug to smell really bad by the time it reaches the end user.
Double-secure the rug by typing it with a rope in the middle.
At times, the wrapped material might fail to keep the rug in place, especially if you have rolled it up too tightly. Use a cotton rope to secure it and ensure that you don’t tighten it too much. The rope is just in place to prevent the unwrapping of the rug while in transit. If you tighten the rope too much, it might end up creating a semi-permanent or even permanent crease!
Add paddings on either side of the rug
Many times, manufacturers or brands forget to add extra padding to the end of the rugs. The result? Shrivelled, rolled ends that take forever to be flattened. To avoid this, add enough padding on either side and tape the padding to the rug. You could use foam-like materials to provide the cushioning.
Place the package into a plastic package
So far, we have only provided a very thin layer of protection to the rug. If you are using acid-free paper, the protection is like null. The rug might stay in moisture-rich areas during the transit period, and this can cause it to stink. To avoid this, place the rug into a plastic bag once it’s packed.
You could also throw in some moth balls to ensure that no insects creep in while the package is being transported. This is just an optional precaution, but make sure you include proper labels on the top to inform the customer of the same, as they can be quite hazardous, especially for children.
In conclusion
Packaging and shipping a rug is not a big deal. But it becomes a bit tedious when dealing with huge ones that are weaved out of fragile material. When you are packaging wall rugs made of delicate material, ensure that you put enough acid-free paper and then roll it up.
Another tip is to find a bigger box than the rug. This will help you easily place the rug inside without having to push it hard to fit it inside. If the rug is a rare piece or is made of expensive wool, be sure to insure it before you send it. Better safe than sorry!
If you are interested in learning more about how to save on shipping as a small business, our blog post will be a very good resource for you.
