Are you caught in a dilemma over a leaking pipe with a broken down vacuum cleaner? Don’t you fret! We are here to guide you on how to dry wet carpet without a vacuum cleaner.

Everyone knows it is difficult to get your carpet dry and moisture-free following a huge water accident in your home. After a leaking pipe or flooding occurrence, your flooring is always at the risk of developing mold and musty smell due to damp carpets. This makes for an uncomfortable environment and is quite dangerous for your health.

Getting a vacuum just to do the job is a great expense and might cost even more than it takes to hire a professional home service company to take care of this problem. This is why you need to know the different alternatives available to get rid of excess moisture sitting beneath your flooring. Options that give the best result at no cost, are easy to execute, suitable for your carpet type, and will easily take care of your wet carpet with no risk of mold or musty rug smell ought to be considered.

Designed for various carpet types, here are five easy ways on how to dry wet carpet without a vacuum cleaner:

• Steam Using Iron and Towel

• Sun Drying

• Use of a Dehumidifier

• Using Hair Dryer

• Carpet Dryer

Method 1: Steaming Using Iron and Towel

Image by Jill Nystul via "Pinterest.” (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10836855328264624)

For small spills or mini accidents involving a small amount of water on your carpet, using a towel and an iron to steam is one DIY hack that is easy for you. You will need two dry towels, a steam iron, and paper towels for this method.

• Grab a clean towel and pat the wet surface to absorb as much moisture as possible.

• Place the other dry towel on the wet surface and steam with the iron until dry.

• Allow the surface to cool and test for wetness using a paper towel. Once your paper towel comes off without any sign of moisture, your carpet floor is as good as new. If however, the paper towel indicates wetness, continue steaming until dry.

Steaming with iron and towel is perfect to eliminate musty smell and potential mold that could develop overtime.

Method 2: Sun Drying

Image Source: https://www.homeimprovementbase.com/fast-easy-ways-to-dry-a-wet-carpet/

For small area rugs used as flooring covers for décor purposes, sun drying the carpet is a great alternative to vacuum, especially in the summer. It takes little effort to sundry with the following directions:

• Using paper towels, pat the surface to remove moisture immediately after the spill or leaky pipe issue.

• Thereafter, take the carpet outside and spread or hang on a dry surface to direct sunlight. If possible, place the wet carpet in an open space without any shade, like the rooftop.

• Check the carpet at intervals and once you confirm that it is wet-free, take it back inside the house. For safety purposes, you might want to spray with insecticides just to make sure no hidden insects are hiding within the carpet fibers.

Sun-drying is an effective method that guarantees no mold due to the antimicrobial nature of ultraviolet rays from the sun as described by Ayoub N&H Carpet & Rugs (https://www.furniturerugcleaning.com/sunshine-on-your-rugs-yes-or-no/). The sun also evaporates water out of the carpets without destroying delicate carpet fibers, ensuring that it lasts for as long as possible. 

Method 3: Use A Dehumidifier

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A dehumidifier is one home appliance you probably have in your home. It works to regulate the moisture content and keeps the air, clear, and space, airy. It can also work to dry out your wet carpet too! To get a desired dry and musty-smell free carpet, follow these steps;

• Pat-dry the surface of the wet carpet with a towel or paper towel to help reduce the moisture within.

• Open all the windows, turn on all fans and keep the dehumidifier on for up to 12hours. Usually, it is advisable to do this overnight for the best-desired result.

• Confirm the dry carpet by checking with a paper towel as described previously. Also, check the carpet pad to ensure that it is also not wet, to avoid mold formation and floor damage.

A dehumidifier is quite resourceful and ensures that your flooring is kept intact despite pipe leakage or any flooding disaster. It is a useful appliance and comes in very handy any time a spill occurs.

You do not have to move your room or tear your house apart to dry your carpet using a dehumidifier. If you do not have one, check out New York magazine’s (https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-humidifiers.html) best dehumidifiers to pick out a good one for recurrent use.

Method 4: Use A Hair Dryer

When there is no budget for a dehumidifier, making the best of the appliances at hand is another option for you. Every lady has a hairdryer that is credible enough to dry out wet hair. This home appliance is great for your wet carpet too!

There are practically no steps involved using this method. All you need to do is turn on the hairdryer and continuously rotate it on the surface of the wet spot, till it dries. This is simply the application of heat to encourage the evaporation of water from the carpet surface. Check out WikiHow’s (https://www.wikihow.com/video/8/8a/Dry%20Wet%20Carpet%20Step%203%20Version%202.360p.mp4)  illustration on using a hairdryer for carpet drying.

Most importantly, note that, if you are using a carpet with delicate material, especially rugs with polypropylene fibers, it is important to keep the heat level low, to avoid destroying the durability of the carpet.

Method 5: Carpet Dryer

Image Source: https://streamsiderestoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Water-Flood-Damage-1080x675.jpg

For a large room space with so much floor to cover, a small hand dryer might not be enough. In this situation, you will have to use a big carpet dryer to blow dry your carpet. With a carpet dryer, it is easier to navigate around the room, removing moisture from every inch of the carpet fibers. The air from the carpet dryer quickly dries out the water within and keeps your space damp free.

Of course, buying a big carpet dryer is quite expensive and cost-intensive. So, a rental at less than thirty dollars found on Home Depot (https://www.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Carpet-Blower/F514/) is perfect for cutting costs and saving your flooring from damage.

In Conclusion

I hope you found the five ways on how to dry wet carpet without a vacuum useful. These different ways are designed for different carpet types and space. You must pick the one most convenient for you and follow the steps according to the descriptions given. Keeping your floor space clean and free of moisture is very important for a pest-free and mold-free home.

Take into consideration the advantages and levels of effectiveness of each way and share your thoughts in the comment section. Share to friends and family who will need ideas on how to dry out their wet carpet in the case of a flood, leaking pipe, or any other water-related incidents in the home or even the workplace.