Carpet cleaning is necessary for a fresh and healthy house environment. It also does magic in terms of extending the lifespan of the carpet. However, it is very important to dry it after cleaning. Otherwise, it can harbor odor and mold. Wet carpets can even re-trap dirt and invite bacteria.
The best way to dry a carpet faster after cleaning is to create an airflow. There are many ways you can create an airflow, but the most effective methods include: using a dehumidifier, using a shopvac or using a fan. And if nothing seems to work, you can always try asking for professional help.
How to dry carpet faster after cleaning
Drying your carpet after cleaning is inevitable. The method of drying depends on how you cleaned the carpet. When a carpet is cleaned by hot water extraction, it takes longer to dry as such a method uses more water.
Dry cleaned carpet requires somewhere around 2 to 4 hours before it is properly dry. So, the drying method you choose should be compatible with your cleaning method.
Let’s take a look at 7 of the most effective tips to dry your carpet faster after cleaning it.
Tip 1: Encourage air circulation
The first and foremost step to dry your carpet is to expose it to maximum air. You can open the windows to let air in. There is no doubt that we have ample air indoors. However, the trapped moisture and humidity make it moister than the air present outdoors.
The less moist air makes the water in the carpet to evaporate quickly. A useful way to maximize the airflow in your house is to open two windows at opposite ends in your house.
Tip 2: Dehumidify the air
As you probably already know, that drying a carpet means the moisture in it evaporating in the air. For this to happen, the air around the carpet should be drier than the carpet itself.
Dehumidifiers are designed for this exact purpose. They collect the moisture in the room. It makes an ideal environment when you have damp carpeting to dry. You can leave the humidifier in the middle of the room. Keep checking in on it every hour or so.
These are our favorite options:
For small rooms:
For medium to large rooms:
[amazon link=”B01DC5PPWM” title=”Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier“/]
[amazon link=”B081RG8JYR” title=”Waykar Dehumidifier (up to 2000 Sq Ft)“/]
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[amazon fields=”B081RG8JYR” value=”thumb”]
[amazon fields=”B01DC5PPWM” value=”button”]
[amazon fields=”B081RG8JYR” value=”button”]
You might even need to leave it overnight if the room under treatment doesn’t have windows.
Tip 3: Use a shop vac
So, you know what does a vacuum do? Suck up dirt and debris. What does a shop vac do? Suck up excess water. This means that a shop vac can be your best friend when it comes to drying a wet carpet.
A shop vac has a strong motor and a special filter that can handle water.
PRO TIP
Make sure that the filter in your shop vac is made from sponge or is water-safe. Filter made from paper will be ruined upon contact with water.
You just have to use this drying vacuum on your carpet like you use the normal one. You can run the shop vac more than once on a wet carpet. Remember that the goal is to remove as much water as you can. The remaining moisture can be evaporated over time.
Tip 4: Use a fan
This is a time-taking method but very doable in most houses. Place several fans around the room and try to point them downwards. Change their spots after every hour or so to make sure that every area of the carpet gets exposure to the fan.
If you’d like to try carpet fan, these are our top 2 choices:
Max Storm Carpet Dryer
[amazon fields=”B07WNYB65S” value=”button”]
Lasko High Velocity X-Blower
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Ceiling fans can be a great help as well. Turn them on and let them dry your carpet right from the top.
Tip 5: Use an air conditioner
This is not the most ideal option. You should use it as the last resort if you have to dry your carpet yourself. An air conditioner is not as effective as a fan. It doesn’t circulate air as much.
KEEP IN MIND
The cold air from the A.C reacts with the damp fibers of the carpet. This makes it difficult to differentiate between a dry and a cold carpet.
Using cold air to dry a wet carpet will take longer. The optimum environment for this is a warm, dry, and sunny day. The drying times on such days are reduced considerably.
Tip 6: Get professional help
You can always let the pros handle such situations. I know that this option can be costlier than a DIY method. But I am positive that it is still cheaper than replacing your entire carpet. That can cost you an arm or a leg.
Are you thinking, “Who’s replacing a carpet, anyway?” Well, the bitter truth is that an improperly and incompletely dried carpet can encourage mold growth. That can eventually lead up to a carpet with irreparable damage.
You can ask your professional cleaner to blow-dry your carpet. Their powerful fans and blowers speed up the drying process.
A word of friendly advice. You have to be careful when choosing a professional carpet cleaner. A deep cleaning followed by drying can be a make or break deal for your carpet. The experts in this field can renew your old dirty carpet while an amateur can ruin it even more.
I would suggest that you take a look at our directory of professional carpet cleaners in various cities.
Tip 7: Clean your carpet frequently
This is a very helpful rule. I know, at first, it may sound weird that frequent carpet cleaning reduces the overall drying time of your wet carpet. However, this is logical.
Frequent carpet cleaning sessions result in lesser dirt and debris trapped in your carpet. Hence, less water would be required to eliminate it all.
In other words, the amount of water used in carpet cleaning is directly proportional to the amount of dirt accumulated in it. Hence, it affects the drying time. Less dirty carpet, less water used in cleaning it, and faster the carpet dries.
Why should you dry out your carpet?
It’s no secret that moisture gives rise to mold and mildew. Thus, it is significant that your carpet is thoroughly dried after cleaning. Otherwise, the space between the padding and the floor will become moist. It will start housing mold and will even attract nasty pests.
Mold growth can deteriorate the indoor air quality. That means that you won’t be breathing in a healthy environment. This can lead to respiratory issues as well as infections.
It is also worth mentioning that it takes mold just around 24 to 48 hours to start forming in a damp carpet. This means you don’t have multiple days to dry your wet carpet after cleaning.
Conclusion
Keeping your carpet dry will result in a healthier living environment in the house, as well as better indoor air quality.
You can take your time to browse through the drying methods discussed above. Use whichever you think is the best one for your house. Just make sure no mold grows in your carpet under your watch.
Take a look at our post about the best home carpet cleaners.