You’re done cleaning your carpet. That means the challenging task is done, right? Now, you can have a nice celebratory dinner in front of your TV, enjoying the feel of your newly cleaned carpet beneath your feet.

But wait for a second! The carpet needs to dry first, and that’s not exactly easy. You’ll have to leave it for at least 12 hours to dry. Or, you can speed up the process using the tips of carpet cleaning North London team below.

How to Dry a Carpet After Cleaning It – 6 Different Ways

There are plenty of ways to dry your carpet, depending on the resources available at yours. Airflow is essential, and it’s easy to create using a couple of fans. Here are all the available methods:

  • Create Enough Airflow

Airflow is the single most essential factor in drying your carpet. If the rug isn’t exposed to enough air after it’s cleaned, it’ll develop mould faster than you can blink.

To create airflow, open all the windows in the room. The best way to create airflow is to open two windows facing each other. You can always use some fans if those aren’t available in your room. Of course, it’s better to check the weather forecast beforehand and wash the carpet on a windy day, or at least it shouldn’t be too humid.

A ceiling fan would be perfect, especially if the carpet is directly underneath. But if you don’t have one, you can use floor fans and point them toward the carpet. They’ll cause the air to circulate well around the room, drying the carpet in a short time.

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  • Use a Towel (Best for Small Carpets)

If your rug is small, you can use a towel to dry it. You’d still have to leave it afterwards to dry, but the towel will help absorb the excess moisture, speeding up the process significantly.

All you have to do is get a clean, large towel. Then, start blotting at the carpet, pressing down on the fabric to squeeze the water out. Keep repeating until the rug is done, and replace the towel halfway through if it gets too wet.

Alternatively, you can lay towels on the rug, covering its entire surface. Then, keep walking on the towels back and forth with your bare feet.

This method is more straightforward, but the wet fabric may not feel nice under your feet. After you’re done, open the windows and leave the rug dry.

This method is only suitable for small carpets because drying a large carpet using a towel would be tedious.

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  • Rent a Blow Dryer

If you want to dry the carpet quickly, you can always rent and use a blow dryer for that purpose. All you have to do is plug it in, adjust its air settings, and leave it directed at the carpet.

You may still need to leave the carpet dry because the blower may not be too thorough. However, it’s still the quickest way to dry a carpet—although it’s worth mentioning that if the blowing speed is too high, it may mess up the carpet’s fibres if they’re delicate.

So, you may only want to use it if the carpet is tough enough to handle.

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  • Rent a Shop Vac (Best for Soaked Carpets)

If the carpet is soaked after cleaning, leaving it dry may not be enough. You’ll have to suck the water up, or the carpet will develop mould, and you’ll return to square one. One solution is to rent a wet shop vac. Although these machines are often used on construction sites, you can rent one for home use.

After you’re done cleaning, wait a couple of hours before using the vacuum, or else the carpet may get damaged if it’s too delicate. While using the vac, you must keep walking on the carpet back and forth, so wear waterproof slippers. Shop vacs are relatively easy to use if you know where all the attachments go. Check the manufacturer’s manual beforehand to get a general idea.

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  • Use Your Air Conditioner (Best for Rainy Days)

I’ll be honest with you here; using an AC to dry your carpet isn’t the best of ideas. You should only do it if you don’t have any other option because it doesn’t provide enough air circulation. However, it’s an excellent solution if you have none left, like on a rainy day.

All you have to do is turn it on and leave it for a few hours until the carpet dries. It may take longer than air-drying, so you must be patient. After a few hours, turn the AC off and wait for the carpet to return to room temperature. You’ll then know whether it’s wet or dry by simply touching it.

Of course, you’d have to adjust the AC to an economical temperature so it doesn’t consume too much power while drying your carpet. It’d also be better to let the carpet out afterwards and leave it in the air for a few hours to get fresh air. If the air conditioner’s air is humid, it may cause mildew to develop.

  • Use a Box Heater

A box heater isn’t the ideal solution to dry your carpet, but it’ll work fine if you have no other option. The warm air will cause the moisture inside the carpet to evaporate, drying the carpet faster. It’ll also retain moisture better than cold air, so it’s a better solution than an AC.

Remember that a box heater is a safety hazard, so place it upright and away from the fabric. Keep its fan pointed at the carpet, but it should be at a safe distance away.

Final Thoughts

Drying a carpet may take a lot of time, but it’s not too hard when you have the necessary tools. For a soaked carpet, a shop vac is the best option. Otherwise, all you have to do for a damp carpet to dry is to provide enough airflow.