How to dry carpet after flood? Useful tips on how to dry and disinfect your carpet after a flood!

Carpets at home can get wet for a number of reasons – burst pipe, roof leak, and in the worst cases, natural disasters such as floods. These unpleasant situations can cause a number of headaches, which is why today we’ve decided to help you out by giving you some useful tips on how to dry carpet after flood.

How to dry carpet after flood?

The events in California in recent weeks have prompted us to create just such an article. If that’s where you are right now, we know your worries are much greater, and carpets are probably the last thing you should be worrying about right now. However, if there’s even the slightest chance we can be helpful and do something for you, we’d be more than happy to! Unfortunately, some things cannot be avoided, and natural disasters are one of them. In times like these, it is important to help each other and be supportive to anyone in need. That’s why we suggest you take a look at some of the tips we’ve prepared for you so you can continue using your carpets. You may also want to learn how to clean mold off walls effectively!

Open the windows and move the furniture

In the beginning, you need to open all the windows so that the moisture can get out and not be trapped in the room. Move the furniture so that it does not stand on the carpet. This will prevent it from warping due to moisture and excessive weight. Also try not to walk on the carpet, which can also deform it.

Remove any excess water from the carpet

The next important step is to remove the excess water absorbed in the carpet. There are several ways to use to do this. Depending on the extent of the flooding, you may also need to combine several methods for better water extraction. This is crucial because it will speed up the drying process and stop moisture soaking into the floor and walls.

A good option are wet and dry vacuum cleaners. If you don’t have one, you can rent it, which will work out cheaper than buying one. These appliances suck the moisture out of flooded carpets extremely well, but you will most likely have to empty the tank often and do several repetitions until you get rid of the water. For severe flooding, when the carpet is submersed in water, you might try using a submersible pump first. After that, proceed with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Like we said, it all depends on how serious the situation is, and you may need to combine water extraction methods.

Once you have removed most of the water in the carpet, you can continue soaking with absorbent paper or towels. Do not scrub the carpet, you will damage it. Instead, place the towel or paper over an area and gently press the top until you have absorbed the moisture.

Dry your carpet

The next step is drying the carpet. When the weather is warm, it is best to take it outside and lay it on a flat surface, with cotton towels underneath to further absorb the moisture. During the drying process, rotate the rug several times to make sure it dries completely. Do not hang the carpet as it can warp the backing. Also, do place your rug in the sun – it dries faster, but the colors may fade. It is best to keep it in dappled shade.

The bigger problem arises when the weather is cold. Then you either have to seek assistance from a carpet cleaning company or you have to dry it at home. If you choose the second option, you’ll need to keep the windows and doors open, point floor fans so that they blow over the wet area, and best of all, use a dehumidifier. All of this will help it dry faster.

Useful tips for cleaning and disinfecting

Apart from the excess moisture in the carpet, you also need to get rid of unpleasant odors, and most of all, you should disinfect it to make sure it does not pose any dangers to your health. One option is to use baking soda. Sprinkle not very large amount on the damp areas and let it sit for about half an hour. Then simply vacuum it up. The baking soda will absorb not only excess moisture, but also odors and protect you from bacteria.

Another very good option is to use a steam carpet cleaner. Prepare a mixture of water and vinegar in equal proportions and go over the wet areas of the carpet. This will not only clean the carpet, but also disinfect it, as the hot water and vinegar will kill any bacteria.