Use floor fans – running floor fans in areas with damp carpet will help to move the humid air created by evaporation out of the space, and dry the carpet more quickly.
Create Air Flow
Create as much airflow as possible in the wet area to help clear the odor and moisture from the room. Open windows, turn on fans and put a fan on the floor to help dry things out. High-powered fans are best for this job.
To dry a wet carpet, first, remove excess water using a wet vacuum. Then, increase air circulation by opening windows and using fans. A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air. Lift the carpet and place fans underneath to speed up drying.
This method takes the longest time, between 24 and 72 hours. Drying Fans: Industrial floor fans are a smart choice to reduce drying time in a major way. Just two specially designed floor fans can dry one large carpet per room in as little as 20 minutes.
By using fans around the area, the force of the air rushing across the floor will speed the evaporation process along, drying the floor in a fraction of the time.
However, if a floor is wet, standing water on the surface likely needs to be removed first. The most effective way to dry a wet floor is to first remove any excess water with a mop or wet vacuum. Then, use fans or other drying equipment to circulate air and speed up the evaporation process.
The majority of carpets should be dry if left for 24 hours if the temperature and air is right. If the carpet is wet for more than two days, it may develop mould, mildew, and bacteria, so it's best to do everything you can to speed up the drying process.
The best carpet drying temperature is around 73°F because it isn't too hot or too cold, which means that it can effectively dry out the carpet and not leave any moisture trapped. Plus, air conditioning units double as a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers actively remove the moisture from the air. Running a dehumidifier is the most efficient way to speed the carpet drying process. Ventilation fans and dehumidifiers can keep the air surrounding your carpet dry by redirecting humid air.
Carpet can absorb moisture when people walk into a home after a rainy day, spill a drink, or simply if the air is humid. The problem is moist carpets are one of the most ideal places for indoor mold to grow. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold spores to begin to grow on damp carpeting.
Mix a one-to-one solution of water and white wine vinegar. Decant it into a clean spray bottle. Spray the carpet so that it's damp to the touch. Work the solution into the pile with your fingers or a brush, fluffing up the fibres as you go.
After removing and soaking up water, your next course of action is to create airflow in the room. You can do this by setting up fans throughout the room. We like to use centrifugal and/or axial fans to create air movement. Centrifugal fans produce higher-pressure airflow, which makes them ideal for drying.
A regular fan, like a table fan or ceiling fan, can provide some temporary relief from moisture in a bathroom, but it's not ideal for long-term moisture removal compared to a bathroom extractor fan.
You can see mold and mildew spores growing on the carpet, which are often identified by white, black, blue, red, or green stains. Carpet that contains visible mold growth will likely need to be replaced.
Carpet Drying Methods
Moving air will help with faster drying times. Box or stand Fans – Like ceiling fans, these will help move air around, decreasing drying times. Open doors & windows – Opening doors and windows will help to reduce the humidity in your structure and circulate the air, improving drying times.
Your carpet will be only slightly damp to the touch after your cleaning. Most carpets typically need 6-10 hours to dry completely. However, it could take up to 24 hours to dry depending on the time of year your carpets are cleaned, and the air circulation, humidity and temperature in your home.
Rice doesn't instantly absorb all the moisture from your carpet, so you would need to leave it there for a few hours.
Does Mold Always Grow On Wet Carpet? The answer is not a simple yes or no, as several factors contribute to mold growth in carpets. First and foremost, it is important to understand that mold thrives in moist environments.
It's really straightforward – all you need to do is sprinkle a generous among of baking soda over your wet carpet and let it sit. The baking soda not only absorbs moisture, but it'll also absorb any nasty odours.
Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to get your carpets cleaned quickly after flooding. The first 48 hours are critical in stopping the spread of mold. After that, you might be better off removing and replacing your carpet.
Turn up the Heat (or turn down the cool!)
Setting your thermostat a little higher and allowing the temperature to rise a few degrees more than normal can help to speed it up . Open windows – air flow can help to improve drying times and opening windows can help, unless it is very humid outside.
Your best bet is to use a dehumidifier to dry your wet carpet after water damage, especially if a large area (or the entire home) is carpeted. This will do all the hard work for you and ensure those flood waters don't cause lasting damage. Seal off the room and run the dehumidifier.
If opening windows is not an option, keep interior doors open and run your ceiling fans counterclockwise during warmer months and clockwise during colder months—these steps will get the air moving and improve ventilation.” Not only will this let in some fresh air, but will prevent moisture build-up.