After a professional clean, most carpets feel dry within a few hours. Thick pile carpets, cold rooms and damp weather can stretch that to around a day. If your carpet is still wet after two days, something has gone wrong and it is worth asking why.
What affects drying time
- The carpet. Thick wool takes longer than a thin man-made carpet.
- The weather. Damp winter days slow everything down, especially in homes near the coast.
- Airflow. A closed room dries far more slowly than an aired one.
- The method and the machine. Good extraction leaves less water behind.
- How much treatment it needed. Heavily soiled areas may need more rinsing.
How to speed it up
- Open windows if it is dry outside.
- Run the heating gently.
- Use a fan or dehumidifier if you have one.
- Keep internal doors open so air can move.
Can I walk on it while it is damp?
It is best to stay off it until it is dry, because wet fibres pick up dirt more easily. If you have to cross the room, use clean socks or shoe covers rather than outdoor shoes, and keep pets off for now.
When can furniture go back?
Wait until the carpet is fully dry. Damp carpet can pick up stains from wooden furniture legs and metal fittings, so if you must move something back sooner, put foil or plastic blocks under the legs.
What if it smells while drying?
A faint smell while it dries is normal. If it lasts after the carpet has dried, read our guide on why carpets smell after cleaning.
For more on how we work, see our professional carpet cleaning page.