Carpets are an investment for homeowners. They add value to homes and provide comfort and warmth. However, carpets also require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.
One of the most common problems that people encounter with their carpets is that they end up being too wet after cleaning. Wet carpets can lead to mold growth and other health issues.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how long it takes for a carpet to dry after cleaning and ways to speed up the drying process.
How Long Does It Take For Carpet To Dry After Cleaning?
When cleaned carpets are left to dry on their own, it can take between 8 to 24 hours. Depending on a number of factors, this drying period can be shortened or extended.
The time required for your carpet to fully dry depends mainly on the method of cleaning that was used.
Dry cleaning and steam cleaning are the two most common ways of cleaning carpets.
Dry cleaning involves using a solvent (usually perchloroethylene) to remove soil and stains from carpets. Dry cleaning is often done at home, but can also be done in commercial establishments. There is little to no drying time compared to other types of carpet cleaning.
How Long Does It Take Carpet To Dry After Steam Cleaning?
Steam cleaning uses hot water vapor to loosen up contaminants from the surface of your carpets. Most of the water used during steam cleaning is extracted during the process. However, the carpet remains slightly damp after steam cleaning. Steam-cleaned carpets will usually require 8 to 24 hours to fully dry. Depending on various factors, such as those discussed below, you may end up reducing or increasing this time frame.
Carpet material – Carpet materials vary in how fast they dry. Wool carpets are very absorbent and will need more drying time than nylon and polyester. Wool carpets can take up to 24 hours to dry and even longer when the weather is cooler. Synthetic carpeting is perfect for steam cleaning because it doesn’t trap as much moisture as natural carpeting does when it dries.
Humidity – Humidity plays an essential role in drying a freshly cleaned carpet. The carpet dries quicker if the humidity is lower. This is because dryer air facilitates the evaporation of moisture and thus aids the drying process. For more efficient carpet drying, we recommend using a dehumidifier or an air conditioner with Dry Mode in the room.
Temperature – The indoor temperature in a house can affect how fast or slow a carpet dries. Ideally, the temperature should be between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit so the water can evaporate quickly. Having the carpet steam cleaned during warm and sunny days is ideal for faster drying times.
How Long Does It Take For Carpet To Dry After Shampooing?
It takes anywhere from 6 to 24 hours for a new carpet to dry after shampoo. The type of material used in the carpet will determine how long it takes to dry. Carpets that contain short fibers and are placed in a dry environment will dry faster than those containing longer fibers and are placed in humid environments. Using a fan, open windows, and increasing the temperature can speed up the drying process.
If you want to protect your carpet from being damaged, make sure you don’t walk on it for at least 6 hours after shampooing. Keep pets and children away from the carpet while it dries. At the worst, you may need to dry it out for a whole day.
You should wait at least 24 hours before placing the furniture back on the carpet after shampooing.
How Can I Make My Carpet Dry Faster After Cleaning?
There are a few ways to make your carpet dry faster after cleaning such as the following:
1. If the weather is warm and sunny, it’s a good idea to open all the windows in the room.
2. Fans will help circulate air and speed up drying time by pointing them to the carpet.
3. If possible, reduce the humidity in the air by using a dehumidifier.
4. An air conditioner can help dry out the air if you don’t have a dehumidifier.
5. Increasing the room temperature with a heater can help speed up drying.
For more details, check out our post on How Can I Get My Carpet to Dry Faster?
How Wet Should Carpet Be After Cleaning?
After the cleaning is completed, you should expect your carpets to be a bit damp. They should never be so wet that they are sodden. Besides being inconvenient, there are other reasons why carpets should not be too wet.
Wet carpets are susceptible to mold and mildew growth which can lead to health issues. Cotton and jute carpets will shrink if they get too wet and not dried fast enough. As for tufted carpets, which are the most common home and commercial carpeting, too much water can cause the secondary backing to come loose and separate from the adhesive.
Conclusion
There are many factors that affect how long it takes to dry out a carpet after cleaning. On average, a carpet will take between 6 to 24 hours to completely dry out after a hot water extraction or steam cleaning. After dry cleaning, a carpet will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to completely dry out.
Usually, the cleaning method chosen depends upon the amount of soiling present on the carpet. Soiled carpets usually need more water and attention, resulting in longer drying times. Therefore, cleaner carpets usually mean less drying time, as less water is used during the process.
If you want to speed up the drying process, then cleaning your carpet once a year is a good idea. Having your carpets cleaned regularly means your home is generally clean, so there is less soil and dust to clean.
