Carpet cleaning (steam cleaning) is one of the most important aspects of any home around the world. Deep cleaning is necessary for any home maintenance. However, there is a question posed by several homemakers – how long does it take for a carpet to dry?
Keeping your carpet wet for too long might serve as a breeding ground for mould and other microbes. Thankfully, many techniques can speed up the drying time. It is essential that you look for a carpet drying company that offers the best cleaning service in the shortest time possible.
Factors that affect the drying process of your carpet
Some factors that can delay the drying process of your carpet are:
Construction of the carpet
The fibres of your carpet make a significant difference in how long it takes for your carpet to dry off after flooding or cleaning. For instance, wool carpets absorb more moisture compared to other fibre. This means that the water cannot be extracted completely while the carpet is being cleaned and has to be evaporated naturally, which increases the drying time. Another factor that makes a significant difference in the drying time is the length of the pile; longer pile holds more moisture, which makes it longer to dry.
Weather condition
Of course, a carpet dries faster during warmer weather. While it is a known fact that heat aids in evaporation, there is one factor that plays a significant role – humidity. Most places, especially the ones located alongside a coastline, will see low humidity on very hot days, which decreases the drying time. However, the moisture content in the air is high during the rainy season, which increases both the humidity and drying time.
Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the most important factors when it comes to carpet drying. If your home/room is closed-up without any ventilation after a flooding/carpet cleaning, it will take a long time for your carpet to dry properly. This happens because when your carpets start to dry off, the moisture is trapped in the surrounding air. So, if there is no ventilation, the air in the room will get saturated with the evaporated water, thereby slowing down the drying process.
The 24-hour rule
If your carpet remains wet for more than 24 hours, the damp fibres will start attracting microbes, which will later turn into mildew and mould. They will then spread to other parts of your house. Additionally, mould is carried by air and can possibly be breathed in; while this might not pose a problem for adults, it can negatively impact the health of children and elderly people, especially the ones with chest conditions or asthma. Also, water compresses the fibres of the carpet; walking on a wet carpet will contribute to its wear-and-tear and decrease its longevity.
How do you get your carpet dried in this 24-hour window?
The answer to this question depends on how much water has already seeped into your carpet and what type of climate you live in. The first thing you need to do is hire an experienced carpet restoration service. The teams sent by these services have all the necessary tools and equipment that will remove the water and eradicate microbes as well.
Carpet cleaning in regions with more humidity will take a longer time to dry. For this reason, you can make use of additional help such as fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to dry your carpet fast. Air movers will make sure that the air around your carpet keeps on moving, since stationary moisture can slow down the drying process, and the fan dries the carpet itself.
If you live in an arid and dry region, all you need to do is open up your windows and door to let the air circulate naturally.
With the help of any of these methods (depending on the region where you stay), your carpet should be dry and ready for use well within 12 hours, which is an agreeable period.
The carpet drying process will consume much time if you do it on your own. Hence, it is recommended that you hire a professional for the job. You can get in touch with us for the most efficient cleaning and drying of your carpet.