The question we get asked most on the day, and the one where the answer varies most between cleaners. Here's what to expect, why it varies, and how to get it dry faster.
The realistic range
After a truck-mounted hot water extraction clean, carpet is typically dry within two to four hours with the aircon on, and fully dry within six. After a portable machine clean, expect 12 to 24 hours, sometimes longer in summer humidity. The difference is almost entirely vacuum power: a truckmount pulls most of the water back out before we leave; a portable leaves a lot of it in the pile.
What makes it slower
- Humidity. A muggy February afternoon on the Coast can double drying time compared with a dry winter morning.
- Thick or wool carpet, which holds more water than a short synthetic pile.
- Heavy soiling, which needs more water to flush.
- A closed-up house with no airflow.
- Over-wetting from an inexperienced operator or an underpowered machine.
Eight ways to speed it up
- Open windows on opposite sides of the house to get a cross-breeze.
- Run ceiling fans on high — they're the single most effective thing you can do.
- Put the air conditioner on. Cool air holds less moisture, so it pulls water out of the carpet.
- Turn on a dehumidifier if you have one.
- Keep pets and kids off the damp carpet — foot traffic on wet pile flattens it and tracks in dirt.
- Leave the foil or blocks we put under furniture legs until the carpet is fully dry, to prevent rust and dye marks.
- Book a morning appointment on humid days so the carpet has the warmest hours to dry.
- Ask for air movers. We set them up on humid days at no extra cost.
Is it normal for carpet to feel slightly stiff when it dries?
A little stiffness is normal on some carpets and disappears with vacuuming. Carpet that dries crunchy or sticky, though, is a sign of cleaning residue left behind, which is common with cheap solutions and portable machines that don't rinse properly. Residue attracts soil, which is why some carpets seem to get dirty again within weeks of a cleaning. Our products rinse clean and leave nothing behind.
When something's wrong
If your carpet is still wet after 24 hours, or you notice a musty smell developing, call the cleaner. It usually means the carpet was over-wet or the underlay is holding water, and it needs air movers and a dehumidifier before mould gets a start. If it was us, we'll come back and sort it.
By A1 Carpet Cleaning