A wet carpet is a big no-no, especially when you failed to dry spilled water on carpet within 24 hours. Now you must be wondering, “why does my carpet feel damp?” or “how do I get rid of moisture in my carpet?” This article explains why is moisture bad for carpet and the things you need to do on how to get water out of carpet.
What Makes Moisture Bad for Carpeting?
Moisture makes carpets damp and dirty. Spilled water on carpet doesn’t pose issues if you clean it right away. However, mold and mildew can thrive on a wet carpet, especially in humid weather. If water on carpet stays for more than 48 hours, problems can arise.
You need to remove water on carpet to avoid compromising the air quality in your home. Doing so also prevents any damage to the carpet or the subfloor underneath.
Best Tips for Removing Moisture
Small areas that are drenched with water can be easily dried by an absorbent towel. Meanwhile, large sections of a wet carpet will require different drying methods. Removing water within the first 24 hours is the key to reducing the chances of breeding mold spores in your home.
Even if you have a stunning Danish design interior, chances are your room can still smell musky because of excess moisture. Just like remodeling the interior of your house, drying a wet carpet requires a number of steps. The things you’ll need for drying are a bucket, towels, wet-dry vacuum, vacuum, fans, baking soda, and paper towels.
Soaking Up Water
Moisture mixed with dirt creates a stinky odor. You need to clean wet sections by learning how to soak up water from carpet. Learn how to dry wet carpet without vacuum using towels. Towels need to be laid flat around the wet areas of the carpet. Use your hands or feet to press on the towel against the carpet. Once the towels get saturated with water, replace them with new ones.
Using a Vacuum
How to get water out of carpet? Vacuuming is an easy way to do it. First, have a bucket ready to avoid dripping water around dry areas each time you wring out the towels. Once done, dry your hands.
Use a wet-dry vacuum and adjust the settings to ‘Dry’. Move it along the wet carpeting multiple times. Do this in straight lines slowly. Empty the canister of the vacuum if necessary.
Ensure Airflow to Dry the Carpet
One way on how to dry wet carpet without vacuum is ensuring proper ventilation. Open windows to allow the breeze inside. Avoid doing this if the air outside is humid. Instead, turn on the air conditioner to reduce humidity.
You can use fans to dry the carpet. Position them in the doorway or on dry places that face the direction of the wet carpet. Use a dehumidifier to keep out the remaining moisture and empty its canister if needed.
Finishing Touches
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum it up to freshen the carpet. Let the dehumidifier and fans to run overnight. Inspect the carpet the next day to see if there are still areas that need to be dried. Use paper towels to absorb excess dampness. Only return the furniture to the room if the carpet is completely dried.
Last Minute Tips to Keep in Mind
Drying a wet carpet is important especially if you are getting to a new home. A lot of preparation needs to be done. To ensure that you are following the procedures correctly, it’s best to consult a cleaning professional to do the job for you. Better to remove the moisture as soon as possible than waiting. If you wait too long to remove the moisture, you may cause further damage than the eye may see. This is the main answer to, “why is moisture bad for carpet?”.