How long does it take for carpets to dry after cleaning?
Research has shown that vacuuming alone does not remove dirt and debris from carpets. The worst allergens, bacteria, germs and other nasty particles love to hide deep down in your carpet’s fibres. The solution for removing all these hidden health risks is to clean or have your carpets cleaned, but when will you be able to start enjoying their cozy feeling again without ruining the fabulous cleaning job that has just been performed?
Factors to consider
There are many factors that can influence the length of time that you, your family and your pets will need to stay off the carpets and you also need to keep in mind that you have no control over them.
The type of carpet will have a very important influence on its drying time as certain fibres are more absorbent than others. Natural fibres such as wool and silk will hold a lot more moisture than manmade fibres such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene and triexta and can take up to 24 hours to dry. The thickness of the pile will also be a factor to consider as a thick pile carpet will retain more humidity than a thin pile carpet.
The cleaning product and its quality will also affect the drying time after cleaning. If a cheap product of inferior calibre is used in the cleaning process, a lot more of it will be required in order to tackle stubborn stains thus making your carpets a lot wetter and harder to dry. When a good quality cleaning solution is used, a lot less of it will be needed, and in turn you will be able to enjoy your carpets again a lot quicker.
The cleaning method
A flow of air or ventilation in the room where the carpet has been cleaned will also influence drying time as the moist air will be replaced with dry air coming from outside, on a non-rainy day, of course. To create a flow of air it is important to remember to leave windows and doors opened in your home.
You can also use a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. It will draw out the moisture from the carpet and place it in the water tank but as opposed to the ventilation drying method, you will need to keep all your doors and windows closed.
The most important factor that will have an impact on the drying time of your carpets is without a doubt the technique used to clean them! Some will favour cleaning their carpets with a dry shampoo as there will be no drying time, but this method will result in residues being left behind and it will not eliminate germs and dust mites. The same is true for carpet cleaners and shampooers that you can buy and use yourself as they will not clean your carpets deeply or thoroughly and will leave behind toxic cleaning residues.
Steam cleaning
The best cleaning method and the one recommended by the carpet cleaning industry is steam cleaning done by professionals with powerful equipment, such as truck mount units, and biodegradable products. As well as disinfecting your carpets, this technique will mean that you can get back to normal and enjoy them straight away.
