How to dry a rug: 3 quickest ways to follow
The need for rug drying can occur due to numerous reasons. Whether you just cleaned your area rugs or they got wet because of flooding, or maybe you have left the rug outdoors, and it got under the rain, the number one thing to do is to dry your rug completely. That will help to keep away the mildew that can start growing on wet surfaces.
There won’t be any smell developing as well if you respond in a timely manner.
It is quite challenging to follow the correct steps of the drying process. If you know basic instructions, there will be no issues in performing them to achieve the desired results.
This article will teach you how to dry a rug quickly and efficiently.
How to dry a rug the fast way?
The result depends on how fast you react and whether you use the right tools and perform the correct steps.
Step 1. Cover the rug with dry towels
Soak up as much excess water as you can using the towels. You can use your hands to dab water or just walk over them. Once they get completely soaked, remove the wet towels and replace them with dry ones. Repeat the soaking procedure.
This step is perfect for tiny spillages or when a small area of the rug is affected. After you soaked up most of the excess water, you should sprinkle baking soda over the wet spot and leave it overnight.
That will also help to fight moisture captured in the carpet’s fibers. You will just need to vacuum your carpet after that. If your situation is more severe, we suggest you follow the next step.
Step 2. Vacuuming with a wet-dry vacuum
If you have a wet-dry vacuum, this step will be easy to complete. If you don’t have it, you should head to the nearest hardware store and rent a wet vacuum. You should go over the wet rug until all the water is removed from it. It might take a bit of time, especially if the area rugs are completely soaked.
It is important to use the appropriate vacuum cleaner that can withstand water and not a regular one. You should also know that the vacuum can only access water that is located on the top surface of the synthetic rug. The corners of the rug you will have to do separately using dry towels.
It is critical to use such a vacuum cleaner correctly. It has a special reservoir where all the water goes in. You have to watch it and empty it as soon as it reaches the marked level. You might have to do it a few times, as it depends on the state of your carpet.
Step 3. Evaporating excess moisture
You have to dry your rug and remove moisture from the air in the room as well. You can use anything you have, including small fans, a hair dryer, a dehumidifier, and opening the windows and balcony doors in the living space for fresh air. Using all at once will result in a faster drying process.
The key to success is to remove as much water as you can. That is why you should ensure there is no remaining moisture, so check underneath the rug. Another idea you can use to help the large rug dry faster is renting professional fans and air movers. They are more productive than home appliances.
Step 4. Using a carpet cleaner to fight unpleasant odors
When your area rug is completely dry, but you notice bad smells, you should apply a special cleaning solution designed for fighting bad odors on carpets. They come in a spray bottle, which makes it easier to spread on the rug’s surface.
It is quite effective for fighting the stained areas, but will not help you with mold and mildew. If the latter is your case, move on to the other drying methods.
How to dry a wall-to-wall carpet?
If you have a large carpet that can’t be removed, it will be a bit more difficult to completely dry it. Below is what you have to do to speed up the drying process.
1. Remove all the furniture and other objects
Act fast, so you have better chances of not damaging the rug indoors. You should investigate the floor underneath it as well, to determine how bad is the situation. If you don’t remove the wooden furniture, it can soak up water as well.
2. Use the wet vacuum cleaner
The drying process must continue with renting a wet-dry vacuum cleaner that will help with getting rid of the remaining water on the carpet’s surface and ensuring it doesn’t get sopping wet. You probably will have to go over the carpet a few times until there is no water accumulating in the reservoir.
Another option is to use a hot water extractor.
It performs just like the wet vac, but it is more productive and has a larger capacity tank.
You won’t need to empty it often and can finish the rug drying faster. Check out whether this machine can be rented at the professional cleaners’ service.
3. Inspect the carpet underneath
If you think that the rug drying process finishes with cleaning the top surface, you are wrong. You should walk all over the rug, investigating the sounds coming from your footsteps. If you hear squishy noises, that means there is water left underneath.
You have to remove it as well to avoid mold and mildew growing. Leaving water there will affect the floors as well, especially the wooden ones.
4. Lift the carpet
It is important to remove all the water accumulated underneath the rug. Wear gloves and obtain the necessary tools to help you. Start by pulling the corner of the rug. Move slowly to prevent ripping the rug. Especially if you have an antique rug.
You should refrain from cutting the rug, otherwise, you won’t be able to put it back nicely. As you are pulling the rug, you should be rolling it, so it is easier to be working with it.
Wearing a mask might be necessary as well, depending on the situation and the reason the rug has become wet. If the water contains sewage, it might be a health hazard working with it.
5. Dry the rug using fans and a dehumidifier
The best thing you can do is dry the padding without getting rid of the whole rug. If you see that only a small area is affected, that will be the best thing to do. You keep the rug lifted and try blowing hot air from a fan right onto the padding. Just bear in mind that too much heat can also damage delicate carpet fibers.
It is helpful to keep the windows open as it will contribute to the drying process as well. If you have a dehumidifier, that will help to speed up the drying process. Place it next to the wet spot on your rug. It also helps to prevent mold from forming on the padding or the rug itself.
6. Change the padding, if it is ruined
If you weren’t able to properly dry the padding underneath the rug, you will have to obtain a new one. The moisture has to be removed within 24 hours since it has gotten wet. If you didn’t make it, purchase new padding. It is possible to layer it yourself, but if you doubt, you should call professionals.
7. Invite professionals
If the whole process seems to be too difficult for you, there is always another option to call those, who deal with such issues daily. A professional carpet cleaning service will have all the necessary equipment and the cleaners will have the needed knowledge on how to deal with certain situations, including cleaning antique rugs with mold growth on them.
Choose a reputable company with good feedback that also provides a warranty. Remember to check with your insurance, as your case may be eligible for a refund.
How to dry a carpet in the car?
How to deal with wet rugs located in the car, for example? Smaller rugs might seem easier to dry. Their location can be the problem. You might not be able to reach everywhere. Below are a few steps that will help you to achieve the best result.
1. Start drying within 24 hours
Mold starts growing very fast, especially on smaller rugs completely saturated with dirty water. That is why you have to react fast and start drying carpets and removing moisture as soon as possible. It is extremely important if the carpets are located in a vehicle, as water can get to electronic parts of the car and damage them.
2. Locate where the water is coming from
You have to start with finding the place where water is coming from, so you can sort this out. If you don’t do it, you won’t be able to stop your carpet from getting wet. Once you have located the place, or you have an idea of where it comes from, either fix it yourself or take the car to a car service station.
Most of the time, the rugs inside the car get wet due to old rubber sealing around the doors. Check your ones out and fix them, if they are broken.
3. Remove all water using a wet vac
The fastest way to get rid of water from the carpet will be by using a wet vac. It will accumulate most of it in a short period. You will just need to empty the water reservoir once it gets full. A wet vac comes in handy for those rugs that can’t be lifted.
Water can be soaked with paper towels or any other absorbent material you can find. Direct sunlight can help to dry the rugs as well. Some people leave kitty litter right on top of the wet carpets. It copes with the absorption of moisture pretty well.
You can also try using a dehumidifier. It will help to suck in all the moisture in the vehicle. You can leave it running for a few hours until the water is removed.
4. Inspect the padding underneath the carpet
Once you are able to remove water from the top surface of the carpet, you should lift it and check the fabric underneath. Put the gloves on and carefully pull the carpet up, using the necessary tools. Don’t rush as it might result in damaging the rug by ripping it. If you don’t dry the underneath material, you will have to deal with mildew later on.
5. Remove the carpet
If you have some severe issue and all the carpeting is soaking wet in your vehicle, you will have to remove the seats. Use special tools or head to the mechanic that can help you.
Once the carpeting is taken off, leave it on a drying rack under direct sunlight. Once it is dry completely, you can put it back in your vehicle with all the other stuff that was removed.
6. Dry the carpet
Start drying the rug by placing some towels on top of it and soaking up all the water. Then it is time to use fans or a hairdryer. Direct hot air onto the same area. Make sure the rug is properly dry. Once you are finished, put it back into the vehicle and attach the seats as well. Don’t rush and ensure you have laid the rug smoothly.
7. Purchase a new carpet
Depending on your situation, replacing the rugs might be the best option for you. Especially if you are allergic to mold and the carpet in your vehicle has gotten soaking wet. If you didn’t have an opportunity to respond fast and the water sat there for a while, consider changing the rug. You will have to refer to a professional car service specialist to get a quote.
FAQs
What is the fastest way to dry a rug?
One of the fastest ways to dry a rug will be using a wet-vac. That will remove the bulk of the water from the carpet fibers. Then it is just the case of letting it dry.
You can either stick it outside under the sunlight or use fans and dehumidifiers if you are planning to dry the rug inside. If there is mold growing on your carpet, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove the stain and the smell.
How long does it take a rug to dry?
It depends on what type of carpet you have. If it is a small rug, it can be placed outside and air dry within just a day. If you are dealing with a large carpet that can be removed, it will take longer.
After removing all the water from the top surface, you start using fans and a dehumidifier. That will require a few hours. After that leave the windows open for the air to circulate in the room removing moisture.
Can I air-dry a rug?
If it is a small rug, it will be possible to air dry it outdoors. Start with wiping all the water from the surface using clean cloths. Then wet-vac and hang outside.
The weather has to be good, and it has to be sunny if you want it to dry within a day. If you don’t dry a rug within the first 24 hours, there is a high chance the mold will start growing, making the carpet cleaning difficult.
Mold stains can be removed using rubbing alcohol. Many people actively use it in carpet cleaning. Just make sure you won’t damage the carpet fibers with it.
Will a rug dry in cold weather?
You will be surprised but drying a rug during winter will take less time than during warm weather. The reason behind that is the air being dry during cold temperatures. That results in almost no moisture in the air and the drying process shortens substantially.
Conclusion
We hope our article has helped you to learn how to dry a rug fast and efficiently. It depends on the severity of the flooding and what area of the rug is affected. If it is a small spot, you can just use dry towels and then use a fan or a hairdryer over the affected surface.
If the carpet is large, the best thing to do will be to use a wet vac to get rid of all the water from the rug first. After that, the fans and a dehumidifier can be placed near the wet area.
If you are dealing with a wet rug in a vehicle, drying it with dry clothes and placing kitty litter there for a night might be sufficient. If the rug has been wet for a while, the whole carpeting replacement might be required.
If this information was helpful, please share it with your friends. If you still have questions left, contact us in the comment section below.
Read also our guide: How to Clean an Area Rug Without Water
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
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