If you own a carpet, you know that it's unsafe to keep your carpet wet and soggy. It can be concerning because moisture can cause mold growth before you expect it. Whether you have recently had your carpets cleaned by a professional company or did it yourself, it is important to know how long does it take carpet to dry after cleaning.
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions from all the carpet cleaning companies. That’s because you have to refrain from using the carpet while it is damp. Otherwise, your newly cleaned carpet will be stained and damaged. Patience is the greatest virtue at such times and put a little effort into careful planning so that you make the best out of our investment.
In general, a carpet takes about 3-10 hours to completely dry but the time varies greatly. The drying times depend on several factors which are described below.
Type Of Carpet Fiber
The most important factor is the type of carpet fiber. Some carpets dry out quickly as compared to others. For instance, pure wool carpets are very absorbent and hence require more drying time than nylon or polyester. You may be surprised to know that carpets made out of 100% wool can take more than 24 hours to dry. If the weather is cooler and humid, the drying time will further increase.
If you are looking for carpet materials that dry faster and easier, purchase synthetic carpets. They are perfect for steam cleaning since they don’t trap as much moisture. That translates to shorter drying times.
Typically, residential carpet applications are no more than 7/16 inches thick. The thickest of the carpet fabrics take the longest of time and vice versa.
Cleaning Method
Another important factor is the carpet cleaning method. Some of the most common carpet cleaning methods are dry cleaning, steam cleaning, and hot water extraction cleaning. All of these vary in their cleaning efficiencies as well as drying times.
Contrary to the popular belief about dry cleaning, it uses a minimal liquid with dry cleaning compounds. The combined action breaks down dirt, stains, and grime but leaves the carpet damp after the cleaning process is completed. It takes only an hour or two to completely dry the carpet.
Steam cleaning on other hand utilizes hot steam. In general, the steam does not leave the carpets soggy but they remain slightly wet afterward. When the steam-cleaned carpet is left to dry on its own, it will usually take 3-6 hours before it dries.
The drying time for hot water extraction cleaning is a bit longer, especially for the natural fiber carpets.
Quality Of Cleaning Workmanship
A quality carpet cleaning company ensures the provision of skilled technicians that take extra steps to decrease the drying times. If you have hired a competent carpet cleaning company, you can get dry carpets in the minimum possible time frames. Whereas a budget provider and less skilled carpet cleaning professional will be in a rush to complete the cleaning job. You will be waiting for longer times! Moreover, a reliable company will always inform you about the exact drying times.
Temperature
The indoor temperature can greatly impact the carpet drying times in your home. The temperature in your home should be around 20-30 degrees Celsius so the moisture can evaporate quickly. When the temperature is lower than 20 Celsius, the evaporation rate is quite slow and the carpet will take a lot more time. It would be best to have your carpet steam cleaned during warm and sunny weather for faster drying times.
Humidity
Humidity or dampness plays an important role in drying a freshly cleaned carpet. The lower the humidity levels, the sooner the carpet will dry. That’s because dry air enables moisture to evaporate easily and hence facilitate the drying process. Humid air is already laden with moisture so it does not absorb water as easily. We highly recommend getting some fresh air inside for efficient drying. It can effectively replace the accumulated humid air out of your home without utilizing any energy.
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One of the easiest ways to minimize carpet drying times is to hire the best carpet cleaning company in your area. We understand your struggle to find competent service providers. Visit Topspot 101 for reliable business listings. Topspot 101 is one of the most trusted online business listing websites in the US. All you have to do is to visit the official website, type in “carpet cleaning near me” and enter your zip code. We will get you the basic credentials of the best carpet cleaning companies operating near you. You can also read reviews about each of the listed companies to know what to expect! Visit us now.