Professional carpet cleaning has many benefits, from removing stains and odors to increasing the carpet’s lifespan. However, just as there are ways to prepare for a carpet cleaning, there are also guidelines for immediately after.
Can you walk on the carpet after cleaning?
Ideally, you shouldn’t walk on freshly cleaned carpets until they are completely dry. Not only can walking on freshly cleaned carpets transfer dirt, partially undoing some of the cleaning efforts, but walking on them too early can sometimes cause deeply embedded stains in the padding to wick to the surface.
How long to stay off carpets after cleaning
The main factor that impacts the drying time of carpets is the method of cleaning used.
Hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning, is the most moisture-heavy method of professional carpet cleaning. A cleaning solution is applied to loosen and break up dirt in the fibers; then hot water is sprayed and immediately extracted to flush the fibers clean, removing stains, dirt, and allergens. Drying times will vary depending on the type of equipment used; Truck-mounted equipment normally offers the fastest drying times since the machine has more powerful water extraction capabilities.
Dry cleaning is a carpet cleaning method that uses specialized machines to clean carpets, with chemical technologies that produce ‘very low’ or no moisture. The carpet is sprayed with the solution and then brushed with a rotary machine to remove stains, dirt, and allergens. Carpets cleaned using dry cleaning methods often dry within 6 to 10 hours.
Encapsulation cleaning is a process that uses chemicals to surround and capture dirt, isolating it from the fibers of the carpet and allowing it to be dry vacuumed to remove. The drying time for this process can range from as little as 30 minutes to a few hours.
Factors influencing how long it takes carpet to dry
Regardless of which cleaning method has been used, various factors can affect the time it takes for carpets to completely dry:
Type of carpet – Absorbent carpet materials like wool will require more drying time than synthetic carpet materials like nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Synthetic fibers don’t trap much moisture, allowing them to dry quicker after cleaning.
Humidity – If the humidity is high, either inside or outdoors, water will take longer to evaporate, so the carpets will take longer to dry. Turning the air conditioner on can help speed up this process.
Ventilation – Carpets will dry quicker if air flows throughout the property. Speed up the drying process by opening windows or turning on ceiling fans to increase the airflow.
Extent of cleaning – The more soiled the carpet is, the more intensive the cleaning process will be. Heavily soiled carpets may require more water to clean and take longer to dry. Having your carpets professionally cleaned regularly can help reduce the extent of each clean, speeding up the process from start to finish.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of your carpet cleaning, ask your professional carpet cleaner for guidance. They may have specific recommendations based on the cleaning method they used and the condition of your carpets.