Ever wondered how to dry a carpet fast after a water leak or flooding? A few days ago, I found myself in this exact position.
During my birthday, I decided to invite my friends over. We ate, drunk, and had a lot more fun. However, the event left my house looking messy. A lot of things were all over the place and without a doubt, I had to create sometime for general cleaning.
So, the next day I woke up early pumped up for the task. I opened one of my corridor taps to fill some buckets with water and headed right to the kitchen. That is when my eyes landed on a half bottle of wine that was sited recklessly on the kitchen counter.
I immediately took it without thinking. I could tell it did not taste like any drink I was accustomed to. However, I also did not expect any out of the ordinary reaction.
Moments later, I was laying on one of my couches unconscious. The entire sitting room floor was soaked in water when I woke up and the carpet was the most difficult part to dry. I decided enquire in forums for ways on how to dry it fast. That is how I acquired tons of ideas on the subject.
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Removing Water Stains
Do not get stressed out if you walk past a glass water and tip it over your carpet. The water creates a stain because it is not enough to completely wet or soak your carpet.
Water stains are the easiest to clean because they cover small areas. Even better, there are various approaches that you can apply successfully.
Use a Dry Towel
Most towels are made of heavy cotton material that absorbs moisture quickly. Placing a dry towel can help dry a carpet water stain fast.
Press the towel on the stain to draw water out quickly. Repeat the action with different sections of the towel to get the most out of the process. Finish up by blowing the section with a blow dry. You can also place a fan strategically near the stain.
Use Rice
You have probably heard abut the old trick of using rice to dry shoes fast. However, you might be unaware that it is also possible to conduct the little experiment on your carpet.
You simply need to spread a generous amount of rice on the stain and sit back. Rice is hygroscopic. It will absorb water quickly from the carpet and surroundings. All the same, I suggest you begin with the towel tip if the stain is quite heavy. The move will help speed up the process.
Use a Wet/dry Vacuum
A wet/dry or shop-vac helps suck up water that you cannot remove with a towel or rice. The machine is designed for extracting both liquids and solid materials from floor surfaces. Therefore, it is quick and efficient.
How to get Water Out of a Soaked Carpet
Removing water from a soaked carpet is not the same as eliminating water stains. It has its own approaches and requires much more time and effort.
Firstly, you have to consider whether the flood water is clean or dirty. Clean water is free from bacteria and pathogens that can cause diseases. You cannot just jump into cleaning a carpet that is contaminated with dirty water. You might require protective gear or professionals who can handle the job more thoroughly.
If you decide to go ahead and clean the dirty water, I suggest putting on rubber gloves and safety boots.
If the carpet is soaked with clean water, the first option is to rent a large wet/dry vacuum or carpet shampooer from the nearest home improvement store. It will suck up most of the water. You can later focus on drying the carpet completely.
Air-drying is an excellent option for a removable carpet because it eliminates bad odor. If the carpet dries in the sun especially when there is wind, fresh air blows around it thereby making it smell fresher. Further, the sun acts as a natural deodorizer.
A viable option for a carpet that is glued to the floor is renting a heavy-duty fan. It will help eliminate most of the moisture from the carpet. Unfortunately, it will not eliminate odors. You will have to use a different approach for that.
Drying a Damp Carpet
When water spills all over the carpet, it creates dumpiness. The presence of moisture provides a favorable environment for molds. Further, it also leads to the development of bad odor that is hard to eliminate. Accordingly, it is important to eliminate the dumpiness as soon as the spillage occurs.
Step 1: Use Towels
A towel will help you get most of the moisture out of your carpet. It has the right material and it is also easier to dry thereafter. Additionally, you can use one or several depending on the area that you intend to dry.
Place a towel on the damp area and press it onto the surface of the carpet. Move it back and fort until it becomes dump.
You will need to use several towels if the carpet covers a large area.
Step 2: Use Heat
If you are dealing with a small area, heat from a blow dryer is enough to help dry the surface. Just hold the equipment a few inches from the carpet and use the lowest heat setting to blow the surface with hot air. This might take a couple of minutes but it definitely works.
However, you need to place fans and dehumidifiers strategically if you are drying a large area.
Step 3: Focus on Air Quality
Dampness creates a humid environment thereby making the entire house unconducive. Therefore, it is important to use a fan or dehumidifier even after the condition of your carpet has improved. You can also open the windows so that fresh air can circulate.
Step 4: Stay off the Room
Give the room a few days to dry without using it. You can also move the furniture elsewhere if possible. This allows air to circulate properly. It also prevents mold and mildew from growing in hidden areas.
Using Baking Soda for Drying and Absorbing Odor
There is a lot you can clean with baking soda and that includes carpets. This handy natural cleaning agent absorbs both moisture and bad odor from damp carpets.
Just pour a generous amount on the affected areas of your carpet and let it sit for several hours. If your carpet is soaking with water, begin by lessening the moisture content with an appropriate vacuum first.
Finish up by vacuuming the baking soda and running a fan in the house.
Frequently asked Questions
How long does it take for a Carpet to Dry?
A carpet is not one of those things that take a few minutes to dry. You will need anything from five hours for your carpet to feel completely dry. However, the time can be as long as 24 hours depending on the wetness. For example, a carpet that is completely soaked cannot dry at the same speed as a damp one.
How long does it take for mold to grow in wet carpet?
Mold takes about a day or 24 hours to begin growing on a damp surface. However, not all surfaces develop mold because they are wet. Besides moisture, there has to be other conditions that create a favorable environment.
How do you know if there is mold under carpet?
Mold produces a musty odor when it begins to grow on a surface. Besides, you a likely to see green or black-like discoloration on your carpet.
Is carpet ruined if it gets wet?
A carpet is unlikely to get ruined if it gets wet and you act immediately. However, leaving it under the same condition for days can damage it permanently. Further, a damp carpet begins to grow mold and mildew within the first 24 hours. You might not notice molding at first because the colonies take time before they become visible to the human eye.
Will wet carpet smell go away?
The bad smell fades over time after the carpet dries up. However, baking soda is a good home remedy for getting rid of odor fast. Just pour a generous amount on the carpet and let it sit for at least two hours. Use a vacuum cleaner to collect it.
Is it bad to sleep in a room with wet carpet?
Sleeping in a room with a wet carpet can lead to health problems. The situation can even be worse if it is harboring mold and mildew. They pose threats that are serious to human health.
Why does my carpet smell worse after cleaning?
Carpets smell bad after cleaning because of moisture. The smell disappears gradually with drying. If your carpet is removable, hang it in the sun so that the bad smell can fade away quickly.
