Don't let water linger on carpet, even if it's just a little bit. Mold grows fast, and water can quickly soak through and damage the pad and subfloor. Don't forget the pad. “Any carpet that has padding should be lifted,” says Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of ServiceMaster by Zaba, a certified carpet cleaning company.
The majority of carpets should be dry if left for 24 hours if the temperature and air is right. If the carpet is wet for more than two days, it may develop mould, mildew, and bacteria, so it's best to do everything you can to speed up the drying process.
When water sits deep in the carpet pile and on the foam underpadding, and it is not dried as quickly as possible, it can lead to mold and mildew. Once mold and mildew begins to form, even though the foam and carpeting may dry out, when moisture gets back into the air, it can rejuvenate the mold and mildew.
Your carpet will be only slightly damp to the touch after your cleaning. Most carpets typically need 6-10 hours to dry completely. However, it could take up to 24 hours to dry depending on the time of year your carpets are cleaned, and the air circulation, humidity and temperature in your home.
Water can do severe damage to the carpet padding. Drying the carpet may not be enough to mitigate water damage. If the padding underneath is not effectively dried out it can result in mold damage that will ultimately spread to the carpet.
Soaked carpets can cause numerous respiratory problems
The more severe the carpet water damage is, the greater your exposure to mould spores. This can lead to several respiratory complications such as emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, and even cystic fibrosis.
Carpets can take an extremely long time to dry by themselves, so if you've suffered a flood or standing water from a leaky pipe, you'll need to figure out how to dry wet carpet fast.
It's really straightforward – all you need to do is sprinkle a generous among of baking soda over your wet carpet and let it sit. The baking soda not only absorbs moisture, but it'll also absorb any nasty odours.
Once you've removed the water and set up your drying procedure, leave the carpet alone for at least 10 hours. It will take a long time for the moisture to leave, and even if you think the room looks dry, there could still be lingering wetness that will lead to mold growth and foul odors.
Will wet carpet smell go away? Not unless you do something about it! You can temporarily quell the smell with bleach and baking soda, but to cut it at the source, you need professional-grade equipment or full carpet replacement.
Mold can grow in your carpet anytime if it has stayed wet for a while, without the opportunity to dry out thoroughly. And if your home had some flooding and the carpet was damp for more than 24 hours, it is the beginning of the threat.
Many government organizations, including the EPA, suggest that mold and bacteria can begin to form in wet carpet as soon as 24 to 48 hours after becoming wet. Carpet may become wet due to regular foot traffic tracking in water or due to water damage from events like flooding or a burst pipe.
Faster Drying Time
Despite the heat of the warmer months, your carpet will actually dry faster in the colder temperatures. When the air is cold and dry outside, the warmed air inside your home will absorb moisture at a faster rate.
Dehumidifiers actively remove the moisture from the air. Running a dehumidifier is the most efficient way to speed the carpet drying process. Ventilation fans and dehumidifiers can keep the air surrounding your carpet dry by redirecting humid air.
Open the Windows
Ultimately, opening the windows will indeed help reduce the drying time. That's because you'll have fresh air moving through the room. Just make sure that you open one or two windows at the opposite ends of the room to get a breeze going and improve the airflow.
1. Mold on Carpet Can Cause Health Problems. Thousands of different mold types could be hiding in your carpet. Some of the molds hiding in your house can cause allergies, cancer, respiratory diseases, and even death.
Unfortunately, mold spores like moist carpets because of the thickness of the carpet and the backing holds in the moisture well. How do you remove mold from carpet? You can remove it with several things: Vinegar and baking soda, antifungal cleaner, or bleach. Use bleach as a last resort as it can bleach the carpet.
Molds produce allergens, which are substances that can cause allergic reactions, as well as irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
If a carpet has been wet for 72 hours or longer, consider replacing it and especially if it has added layers of padding underneath. Mold often takes no longer than 72 hours to form and spread, and can be difficult to clean thoroughly after that time.
The Main Reason for Musty Smells After Cleaning
Underneath your carpet is a layer of backing or padding. If that bottom layer gets wet and isn't dried properly, it can give off an odor. The good news is that as the backing or padding dries out, the sour smell should go away all on its own.
In addition to cleaning, baking soda is also an effective deodorizer that absorbs moisture and smell. Apply a suitable amount of baking soda to the affected carpet or rug and leave it overnight or for 48 hours. This gives the baking soda time to get to work cleaning out your wet carpet.