How Long Does Carpet Take To Dry After Using A Cleaner?

To maintain and enjoy a beautiful carpet that lasts for years requires routine cleaning and care. You may have questions about how long it takes a carpet to dry after it has been cleaned. We researched average drying times for carpets following a shampoo or steam cleaning to lift away dirt and stains. Learn more about restoring your carpet, in-depth cleaning, and helping speeding up the drying time.

Prepare to wait between 8 to 24 hours before your carpet is dry after a thorough steam cleaning with a machine. If you opt to shampoo your carpet, it may be dry in as little as 4 to 8 hours. Please note, commercial carpets usually dry faster than residential carpets, which may be thicker. Environmental factors may also impact the time it takes for a carpet to dry so you can walk upon it comfortably.

Get back to enjoying your interior spaces after cleaning a carpet by fast-tracking the time it takes to dry. Keep reading to learn more. 

Human Cleaning Carpet In The Living Room Using Vacuum Cleaner At Home, How Long Does Carpet Take To Dry After Using A Cleaner?

Cleaning The Carpet

When unsightly stains, pet hair, or time leaves your carpet looking less than its best, you will want to clean it with a machine using shampoo or steam. Depending on the type and size of your carpet, it may be better to use a machine or clean the floor covering by hand.

Carpets that easily reveal blemishes from spills, mud, and grime need powerful cleaning to lift away dirt and restore its appearance. Before you decide whether to steam clean or shampoo a carpet, understand that you might be waiting a minimum of 8 hours before you can walk in the room.

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Close up of steam cleaner cleaning very dirty carpet.

Steam Clean

Cleaning a carpet to remove pathogens, allergens, oils, and dust calls for either shampooing or steam cleaning. Typically, a professional cleaner should be called in to service a carpet via steam cleaning. A steamer machine uses a combination of high pressure and temperature, cleaning the carpet with water vapor.

The majority of the water is sucked up, allowing the carpet to dry more quickly. Please note, some steam cleaners do not agitate the carpet, leaving deeply rooted dirt behind, but the surface looks amazing.

Advantages

  • The high temperature and hot water are excellent for eradicating pests and their eggs.
  • The process uses only water, which is good for sensitivity to chemicals
  • Faster drying time than shampooing

Disadvantages

  • Deep-set stains might not easily lift after treatment
  • Requires professional service, which may be expensive to use frequently for cleaning

Shampoo

Shampooing a carpet can be done at home with a machine and doesn't necessarily require hiring a professional. Most machines are outfitted with powerful rotary brushes that scrub away at the carpet. As the machine passes over the carpet, a thick foam of detergent covers the surface, lifting away stains and dirt. The process is followed up with a rinse of hot water, and then a vacuum sucks up any moisture, cleaning solution, and loosened debris.

Advantages

  • It gives a carpet a deeper clean to lift away hard-set stains and grime
  • Convenient to rent or purchase a carpet shampoo machine
  • Carpet shampoo and cleaning solutions are readily available and inexpensive

Disadvantages

  • Shampooing uses more water to clean and takes longer to dry than steam cleaning.

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Influences To Consider

Close-up Of A Person Cleaning Carpet With Vacuum Cleaner

Keep in mind that your carpet will take a considerable amount of time to dry whether you choose a professional cleaning service or DIY. Residential carpets can take an average of 6 to 10 hours to dry, provided there is no excess water left behind. Commercial carpets can dry in as little as 2 to 6 hours. Note, some factors impact the drying time of a carpet beyond the cleaning process used.

  • Newer carpet cleaning machines will do a better job and remove more water more effectively than an older model.
  • Knowledgeable technicians will not speed through a job and will ensure the carpet receives an extra vacuum stroke to suck up any water left behind. The settings on the machines used to clean your carpet will be adjusted accordingly to prevent a soggy carpet that is slower to dry.
  • Circulate air in the area where the carpet is being cleaned to adjust for humidity and moisture in the air. Turn on the AC to dry out the space in hot weather and keep the heat up in cold weather. Don't skip out on using fans and moving them about to dry the carpet. When needed, open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation.

After your carpet has been cleaned professionally or DIY, it should not be sopping wet to the touch after 24 hours. Follow up with the service provider or check your machine to ensure the vacuum and settings are in proper working order.

How Can I Make My Carpet Dry Faster After Cleaning?

Thick, highly absorbent wool carpets have a higher dry time than synthetic varieties that don't hold much moisture. You can do some things to help speed up the dry time of a carpet after cleaning. 

  • Short on time? Choose a dry cleaning option that uses minimal moisture and relies on cleaning chemicals.
  • Open doors and windows to help air circulate throughout the area.
  • Turn on a humidifier to reduce moisture. Do this in a humid region or when weather conditions will exacerbate mold and mildew growth if the carpet is still overly wet.
  • Use fans and move them around to dry the carpet out quickly.
  • Remove furniture before cleaning a carpet, and do not return to their designated spaces until the carpet is completely dry.

Keep in mind the best process to clean your carpet and take steps to reduce the drying time.

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How Soon Can You Walk On Carpet After Cleaning?

In the best circumstances, you should be able to walk on carpet after a minimum of six hours have passed following a cleaning. Remember, commercial carpets and synthetic carpets will dry faster than a residential carpet that tends to be thicker and plusher. Speed things along by opening windows, using a dehumidifier, turning on the AC or heat, and using fans to dry the carpet quickly.

Check out this Energy Star certified humidifier on Amazon.

How Long Should You Wait To Vacuum After Shampooing Carpet?

Partial view of man with vacuum cleaner cleaning carpet in bedroom, How Often Should You Clean Your Bedroom?

If you are itching to vacuum your carpet following a shampoo, plan to give your carpet a break for at least a full 24 hours. Check the surface of your carpet to ensure there are no wet areas and that it is dry enough to walk upon. A carpet that is still holding onto moisture can still easily capture any dirt from walking on the surface or placing the furniture back in place too soon. Do vacuum a shampooed carpet after it is dry to remove any deep-set debris, dust, or grime that was loosened and left behind.

Read More: Does Vacuuming Damage Carpet?

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In Closing

We hope you discovered helpful pointers on how to dry your carpet faster and what influences dry time. Realize that most carpets need at least six hours to dry but may take up to 24 hours. Check your carpet to see if it is still damp before walking on it and returning furniture to the surface.

You can help speed up the dry time for a cleaned carpet using fans, a dehumidifier, and opening doors and windows to improve air circulation. The next time your carpet requires deep cleaning, consider employing professional services or do it yourself for best results.

Before you go, don't miss out on the following articles.

How Often Should You Wash Your Carpet?

Should New Carpet Be Cleaned?

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