The carpet may feel sticky after it has been cleaned because some of the cleaning solution and liquified soil has been left behind in the carpet fibres. As the water evaporates, the chemicals and residual soaps will also dry the carpet, making it feel sticky.
For a quick fix try some carpet powder or even baking soda (can even add some essential oils for fragrance) ,maybe even baby/talcum powder. Sprinkle it on really heavily, let it sit for and hour or so and vacuum. This may be just a temporary fix, can't hurt.
As the water slowly evaporates and the carpet dries up, the soap and residual chemicals in the carpet fibers dry up. It is these residues that give the rug a firm, sticky, hard, or ``crunchy'' feel. It's exactly the same as your hair would look like if you rubbed in the shampoo with it but didn't rinse it properly.
It is recommended that you rinse the carpet well after you shampoo. The chemicals in the product can damage the fibres if left to sit for too long.
Common culprits include leaking pipes, high humidity levels, water damage, condensation, spills, and inadequate drying after steam cleaning. It's essential to avoid these issues promptly to prevent further damage or havoc and potential health hazards such as mould or mildew that require necessary replacement.
Dampen a cloth with water and vinegar and rub the area where the residue is present. The vinegar will help to break down the residue and make it easier to remove. If the residue is still proving to be stubborn, you can try using a carpet cleaner machine.
Temperature/Humidity
If the rooms where the carpet is left to dry have high humidity levels, it will take longer to dry. If the air in the room is dry, it will absorb moisture from the carpet, quickening the drying process.
Strictly precautionary and for your protection, please do not let children or pets on damp carpets or fabrics. Do not walk barefoot or in socks, or touch wet carpet or fabrics. 24 hours recommended. Use booties or clean soled shoes to walk on damp carpet.
Yes and no. On one hand, you should keep cleaning until the water runs clear. This will ensure that all the dirt and grime are removed from the carpet. However, on the other hand, you shouldn't scrub too hard or use too much water.
Abrasive cleaners can damage the carpet fibers and leave a bare spot where the stain used to be. The same goes for heavy-duty scrubbing brushes. If you must scrub your carpet, use a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush to prevent damage.
Use a fabric softener: If you're cleaning the carpet yourself, it would be a good idea to spray a mixture of water and fabric softener onto the carpet once you've finished cleaning it. Rub it in and rinse. It will soften your carpet just as it does your other fabrics.
Pine-sol or others you just have to get the amount correct to the tank volume. I would advise flushing the machine with clean water after each use, just to help out all of the nozzles and seals on it to not wear them down. Other than that, you'll be fine.
Over-Shampooing: Putting too much shampoo into your carpet makes it hard to properly rinse it all out and vacuum. The chemicals left behind can damage your carpet, and leave residue behind that turns your carpet into a dirt magnet.
The biggest cause of carpet becoming crunchy and gross is simply that they were not cleaned properly. If your carpet is crunchy after getting cleaned, that means that particles of the shampoo, detergent, or chemicals that were used during the cleaning process were left behind in the carpet fibers.
Manual Method
Once all or most of the water is absorbed, pour some white vinegar onto a fresh cloth or towel. Again, gently dab it onto the affected areas. This will not only remove the traces of soap or detergent but also help prevent any mold or bacteria growth on the carpet.
As a good rule of thumb, plan on waiting at least 24 hours before vacuuming. This will give the carpet plenty of time to dry. You can speed up the carpet drying process too by keeping your house at certain temperatures after cleaning carpets.
Inadequately rinsing out extra fluffy or heavily soiled carpets results in sticky carpets after cleaning. Inadequately rinsing out most of the store-bought carpet cleaning solutions equally results in sticky carpets. Is your carpet sticky after shampooing? You didn't rinse out thoroughly, or you used too much shampoo.
Rinsing your carpets is an essential part of the cleaning process so don't get lazy at the last hurdle! While you can just rinse with water, for best results, using a rinse aid is advised. It will leave your carpets feeling soft, fresh and smelling great.
The traditional method of cleaning and rinsing your carpet will leave soap and shampoo residue that will turn into mildew over time. As a consequence, it will quickly become covered in dust and dirt. In high-traffic areas with a lot of footfall, this can get out of hand quickly.
Hot Water Extraction
Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.
Best practices for safety after carpet cleaning
First, allow sufficient drying time, ideally, wait at least 6 to 8 hours before re-entering the room, and aim for 24 hours for complete dryness.
What is the ideal water temperature for carpet cleaning? For most synthetic carpets the ideal temperature should be between 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius). That is, warm water or quite hot water but not boiling to the point that it may damage carpet fibres.
The big danger with wet carpet is mold. If your carpet and padding stay wet for a long period of time, mold can begin to grow quickly. Mold loves dark, humid environments – and wet carpet provides the perfect environment for it to multiply. Mold can be a major health risk.
Whilst a professional is attempting to remove a stubborn stain the carpet may have received too much moisture, and excessive rinsing can saturate the area and allow water to penetrate into the carpet backing and underlay. The clean water will then mix with the stain and become dirty and discoloured.