# How does one get rid of "dents" in carpet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838 "2006-02-16T18:24:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/1 "2006-02-16T18:24:40Z")
We have fairly new carpet, and it’s prone to getting those marks from heavy things left for a while, but it doesn’t even have to be heavy. All it takes is a relatively light box to leave an impression that won’t come up with vacuuming. Nothing works at all on the marks left by really heavy stuff, I’ve even tried wetting the spot and using a coarse brush. I’m betting that the carpet is medium quality at best. What can I do? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/2 "2006-02-16T18:34:29Z")
Try steaming them with an iron. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/3 "2006-02-16T18:42:48Z")
I have a steamer, should I just blast it and wait? ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/4 "2006-02-16T18:48:17Z")
> [@dnooman](#): > > I have a steamer, should I just blast it and wait? You could try it, but with care – some steamers get a bit fierce, and some carpets aren’t going to react well to that. I have seen ice cubes recommended as a solution to this problem – place one in the indentation and leave it to melt. I haven’t tried it, but it can’t hurt to give it a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/5 "2006-02-16T19:24:32Z")
I’ve done the icecube thing, and it works. Just let it melt for a bit, then gently “fluff” the carpet. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/6 "2006-02-16T20:14:50Z")
> [@dnooman](#): > > We have fairly new carpet, and it’s prone to getting those marks from heavy things left for a while, but it doesn’t even have to be heavy. All it takes is a relatively light box to leave an impression that won’t come up with vacuuming. Ha, you should see the 26.5 gazillion little footprints left by our two cats as they stampede over our new carpet! ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/7 "2006-02-16T20:27:44Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Ha, you should see the 26.5 gazillion little footprints left by our two cats as they stampede over our new carpet! You’re gonna need even more ice cubes than me! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/8 "2006-02-16T21:31:28Z")
Basic foaming carpet cleaner. Or just mildly soapy warm water. But I dare you to beat foaming carpet cleaner…the kind you dispense like whipped cream. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/9 "2006-02-16T21:36:10Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Ha, you should see the 26.5 gazillion little footprints left by our two cats as they stampede over our new carpet! Boy, I bet that’s cute! ---
**Author:** ![zelie\_zelerton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/59ef9b/32.png) [@zelie\_zelerton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zelie_zelerton)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/10 "2006-02-16T21:57:41Z")
> [@KlondikeGeoff](#): > > Ha, you should see the 26.5 gazillion little footprints left by our two cats as they stampede over our new carpet! Pics please! ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-get-rid-of-dents-in-carpet/344838/11 "2006-02-17T00:25:02Z")
> [@Avarie537](#): > > Boy, I bet that’s cute! I think it makes for an interesting pattern, but it drives my wife nuts. Vacuuming takes them out, but then…