Walking on Wet Carpet After Cleaning: Why It's a No Go
Is walking on a wet carpet after cleaning recommended?
No, it is best to not walk on a wet carpet, but to wait until it's fully dry. Walking on your wet carpet causes the damp areas to flatten, leading to mattering, crushing, or stretching of the fibers, which can affect how it dries, its appearance once dried, and the carpet's longevity.
Walking on wet carpet can also lead to re-soiling the carpet you worked so hard to clean yourself and/or spent good money on having a professional carpet cleaner clean for you. This is especially true if walking on a carpet with dirty shoes or feet.
Excess moisture on your carpet can lead to mildew and mold growth, dirt absorption, stained footprints, or discoloration and matting. Based on the weather conditions and the method used to clean your carpet professionally, it can take 4-8 hours, or longer, to dry completely.
If you must walk on the wet carpet, it must be light traffic, and wait at least 30 minutes. To prevent dirt and dust transfer, wear white (fluffy) socks or wear shoe booties.
Below are more details on when to step on your cleaned carpet and why you must wait before walking on it.
Why Should You Wait for the Carpet to Dry Completely Before Walking on It?
- Matting and discoloration: Carpets with fluffy fibers get flattened, as they then dry matted down.
- Absorption of dust: Damp carpets highly absorb dirt. Dust and dirt from your feet easily cling to it, costing you more money and time to clean again.
- Growth of mold and mildew: Can carpets get moldy if I walk on them with wet feet? Walking on wet carpets creates a conducive environment for mold and mildew, resulting in a foul smell.
- Slipping Hazard: Transferring the wetness of the carpet onto the bottom of your shoe's smooth soles, socks, or barefeet, and then stepping onto a hard flooring surface greatly increases your chances of slips and falls.
Walking On Wet Carpet After Cleaning: How Long Until You Walk On It?
Watch out for wet carpeting after a professional carpet cleaning. You must be patient enough to allow the carpet to dry completely; otherwise, you could create room for more problems, such as mold growth.
Various factors determine how long the carpet takes to dry:
1. Skill Level of the Cleaner
Some carpet cleaning companies over-wet or flood the carpet with too much water, leaving them wet and drying for days, instead of hours.
Not so with Zerorez®, and our patent-pending Zr™ Wand which is an enclosed-system extraction wand which thoroughly rinses the carpet fibers without ever flooding the carpet's backing and pad.
Combined with our powerful suction from our truck mount, we're able to recover most of the water from your carpets, meaning your carpet is drier, faster.
2. The Method Used to Carpet Clean
Various factors determine which carpet cleaning method to use, for example, dirt level and carpet making. The dry cleaning method is best if you want your carpet to dry fast. Foam cleaning is where you shampoo to attract dirt, dust, and other particles and remove them when vacuuming carpets.
The bonnet buffing method is ideal for preventive carpet cleaning, but doesn't offer a truly deep cleaning.
The best and highly recommended method by carpet manufacturers is the hot water extraction carpet cleaning method - our way!
3. Temperature/Humidity
If the rooms where the carpet is left to dry have high humidity levels, it will take longer to dry. If the air in the room is dry, it will absorb moisture from the carpet, quickening the drying process.
The best temperature to keep your house at after cleaning carpet is between 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, or 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Carpet Material and Weave
It takes longer for woolen carpets to dry than for nylon carpets. Woolen carpets are heavier than the nylon ones.
Certain carpet weaves, styles, and construction are tighter and shorter, like Berber carpeting, allowing them to dry faster than longer shag carpets, for example.
5. Dirt Level of your Carpet
Lightly dirty carpets require surface cleaning, which doesn't require much water. Highly soiled carpets need more water to clean, hence more time to dry.
Based on the above factors, most carpets ideally take 3 to 12 hours to completely dry after being cleaned.
However, it could take up to 24 hours to completely dry in extremely low temperatures, in areas with low air flow in your house, or other factors.
How Do You Speed Up the Drying Time of Your Carpet?
If, for some reason, you want to speed up the carpet drying process, here's what to do:
- Allow adequate airflow: Zerorez advises quickening the drying process by opening the doors and windows and running ceiling fans for about 2 to 3 hours after a cleaning. Standing fans also help circulate air in the house. For great results, set up the fan near the entrance.
- Use a dehumidifier or a drying system: Dehumidifiers can help keep moisture levels minimal in highly humid areas, as can running your A/C unit, especially if it is a very hot day.
- Keep furniture away: Furniture can slow drying by preventing excellent airflow. Furniture can also cause stains or mold growth on damp carpets. Please wait until the carpet is completely dry before you move the chairs and sofas back in their place.
How to Achieve Great Results After a Professional Carpet Cleaning
It's tempting to step on your clean carpet after the cleaning experts have left. Don't! Achieve great results by following the advice given herein.
Allow the Carpet to Dry Completely
When you allow sufficient drying time, you extend the carpet's lifespan, maintain its cleanliness, and get excellent results after the cleaning service.
Depending on its type, the cleaner's cleaning skill level, and the method used to clean, it could take 3 to 12 hours for your carpet to dry.
At Zerorez, we're best known for our hot water extraction method (steam cleaning). If you use this method, it takes about 4-8 hours for the carpet to dry completely.
Test the carpet dryness using your hands. You can begin walking on it if it feels dry to the touch. Dark spots or a musty smell after cleaning indicate that the carpet is still damp; allow more time to dry.
Seek Professional Advice
A professional carpet cleaning company should advise how long you must wait until you walk on the just-cleaned carpet.
The advice depends on how they've cleaned the carpet, the carpet type, and the cleaning method. Please follow the advice given.
Use Protective Coverings
Place clean rugs or towels on the carpet to prevent dirt transfer in high-traffic areas. Using clean shoe covers also works. You can ask for a pair from Zerorez after they clean your home.
FAQs
Is it Safe for Cats to Walk On Wet Carpet After It's Shampooed?
No, it's not safe for your cat to walk on a just shampooed carpet. Most store-bought shampoos you use have dangerous chemicals that could be harmful if the cat comes into direct contact with them.
Cats are self-grooming. It could harm their health if your cat ingested the harsh chemicals.
Shampoo also makes carpets extremely slippery. Your cat could slide and fall if he walks on a wet, shampooed carpet and then walks on a smooth surface.
Keep your cat in a different room. Ensure he has enough food, a potty, and a bed until the carpet dries completely.
How Wet Does Steam Cleaned Carpet Feel When Walking On It?
It feels damp when you walk on a steam-cleaned carpet immediately after cleaning. Wait until 6 hours before you walk on a steam cleaned carpet.
Your feet have low traction when you walk on wet carpet. Low traction exposes you to slips and falls, which could result in deadly injuries.
You, your children, and the pets should avoid walking on wet carpets. Be patient.
Due to weather conditions, steam-cleaned carpets could take less or more time to dry. High temperatures help your carpet dry fast; low temperatures make it take longer.
Can I Cover Wet Carpet So I Can Walk On It?
Sure, you can cover the wet carpet to walk on it. Lay white dry towels on the high-traffic areas to protect the wet carpet from getting soiled. They'll also absorb some water, helping the carpet dry fast.
Avoid self-adhered carpet protector film. It'll solidify and damage your wet carpet. Use it only on completely dry carpets.
Paper used to walk on a clean wet carpet should be adhesive-free.
How soon after carpet cleaning can I vacuum?
Many people wonder if you should vacuum after carpet cleaning, and the answer is yes, but only after the carpet is completely dry. A good rule of thumb is to plan on at least 24 hours before you vacuum.
Call the Carpet Cleaning Experts!
For all your carpet cleaning services, hire Zerorez. Zerorez is the best carpet cleaning service provider due to its excellent cleaning process, cleaning products, tools, and 5-Star Customer service.
Our Zr™ Water is safe for you, your pets, and your carpet. There is nothing to worry about when you hire us, which is why we offer our Gotta Love It® Guarantee.
We use the most effective cleaning method, hot water extraction (steam cleaning), to clean your carpets. Most carpet manufacturers recommend this carpet cleaning method - you won't have trouble with your carpet warranty (if needed!)
Schedule service online or call our customer care line at 866-937-6739.
