When shampooing or steam cleaning the carpet, many homeowners often stop when the fabrics get clean and fresh. However, the process isn’t complete until your carpet is fully dry. If left with excess moisture, mildew or mold would grow quickly, thus leading to annoying smells or health risks. Keep reading our guide to learn how to dry carpet after cleaning effectively.
How to Dry Carpet After Cleaning - Ways to Dry Your Carpet Quickly
When it comes to helping your carpet dry faster, there are a few ways to go about it. You can use fans, open the doors and windows, use a dehumidifier, and more.
1. Open the Doors and Windows
If your carpet is placed in a space with many windows, then open them up to speed up the drying process. The fresh air would circulate and remove excess moisture in the fabric. Also, it would do wonders for the smells since some carpets cannot dry fully in enclosed areas and develop a musky, damp odor over time. If you do notice a smell, you can use a DIY carpet freshener.
Perhaps you might not notice, but fresh air could make your carpet smell much cleaner after drying. You don’t have to open up all the windows. Just 1 or 2 units on each end on a windy or hot day would make the job much easier. Of course, be careful with the weather. If it is rainy or cloudy outside, then it is better to go for other options below.
2. Switch on the Fan
If your room has a ceiling fan over the carpet, turn it on, rather than opening up the windows. This would make for a more concentrated and cooler air funnel which would dry the fabrics quicker. Also, the constantly circulating airflows would leave a cleaner and fresher smell. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, then desk or stand units can be viable alternatives. While they won’t dry your carpet as quickly as an overhead model, 1 or 2 fans directly pointed at the surface would be enough.
3. Turn on the Air Conditioner
Admittedly, the airflow from an air conditioner doesn’t circulate constantly and isn’t as fresh as those from a fan. However, this is a great alternative when you don’t have a fan, especially during rainy days. Keep in mind that this system would blast cold air, which might react with damp fabrics. This makes it difficult to tell if your carpet is just cold or still wet.
4. Shop Vac
Another possible option to suck up excess moisture in your carpet after cleaning is a shop vac. Make sure to choose those models with dry and wet capability. It is easy to operate a shop vac just as you use a vacuum. All you need to do is to run the machine over the fabrics and empty its canister when collected fluid is filled.
5. Dehumidifier
The main purpose of a dehumidifier is to collect moisture in the space. This makes it a great option to clean your damp carpet after cleaning. Just place the unit in the middle of the space, then switch it on the highest mode. Check it every hour and empty the canister if necessary. After a few hours, your carpet will be completely dry and fresh.
To Summarize
There is no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to how to dry carpet after cleaning. Thus, it is important to consider some important factors before deciding. These might include carpet size, fabric, weather, and carpet cleaning method. Of course, you could leave your carpet dry naturally. However, this process would be much longer and time-consuming.
