Hot water extraction (steam cleaning) is one of the most effective ways to clean carpets. It relies on pressurized water heated to extreme temperatures to rinse cleaning agents out of the carpet. After the cleaning process is complete, the carpet typically takes 6 to 12 hours to dry. But wet carpet will take longer to dry in rooms with poor circulation, cold air, or high levels of humidity.
How Long Until Can I Walk Across The Carpet?
You should wait until the carpet is fully dry before walking across it. If you need to get to the sooner, be sure to remove your shoes and stick to the edges of the carpet. Damp carpet is like a magnet for stains. So walking across it before it fully dries can leave a trail of dirt and compressed pile, bringing it back to the condition it was in pre-cleaning.
How to Dry Carpet Fast After Cleaning
There are a number of ways to decrease a carpet’s drying time to give your family free reign of the house once again. Most of the tricks involve increasing the circulation of air in the room.
Fans
Try turning on the ceiling fan in the room with your carpet to help dry it out faster. If your room doesn’t have a ceiling fan, any fan will do. High powered oscillating fans are especially useful.
Open Windows
Opening the windows is another way to get the air moving. However, doing so when it’s cold or humid outside will be counterproductive. But on hot, dry days, an open window can go a long way toward drying your carpets faster.
Dehumidifiers
It might seem obvious, but turning on a dehumidifier is one of the best ways to speed up the carpet drying process. They sap moisture from the room and collect it in a storage tank or direct it toward a drain. If you’re using the storage tank, be sure to check back every few hours to empty it. You’ll be surprised by the amount of water it collects in a room with freshly cleaned carpets.
Air Conditioning
While it might seem counterintuitive, turning on the air conditioner can actually speed up the drying process. Although they lower the temperature in the room, they also remove moisture from the air. A dehumidifier will be more effective, but an air conditioner can get the job done.
Clean More Often
The dirtier a carpet is, the more water it takes to clean. When they’re especially dirty, it can take 24 hours or more to dry a carpet after cleaning. You don’t need to hire a professional carpet cleaner every week by any means. But regular vacuuming and seasonal cleanings will make your carpets dry much faster.
New Carpets
Now that you’re an expert on carpet cleaning, you might want to think about adding carpet to more rooms in your home. Best Buy Interior Finishes carries a wide variety of carpet styles for any price range. So if you need a new carpet in Woodridge or anywhere in the Chicago area, give us a call today!
