Never vacuum wet carpet with a regular vacuum cleaner as it causes:
Besides, the wet debris sticks to the walls of the regular vacuum cleaner and leads to mold growth.
Instead, use a dry-wet vacuum cleaner specially built for vacuuming wet carpets. You may also use a dry towel, fan, and dehumidifier to dry wet carpets.
Continue reading for a detailed explainer on whether you can vacuum the wet carpet with a regular vacuum cleaner in detail, along with 4 practical ways to dry a wet carpet safely.
👉What Happens if You Vacuum a Wet Carpet?
Normal vacuum cleaners aren’t designed for vacuuming wet surfaces, let alone a wet carpet.
Using a simple vacuum cleaner to vacuum a wet carpet or liquid mess will destroy the motor and electrical components of the vacuum.
The only exception for wet vacuuming is a dry-wet vacuum cleaner. These are the key risk factors of vacuuming wet carpets with a usual vacuum cleaner:
❌Damage To The Motor
A standard vacuum cleaner normally is not sealed against water. If you use a household vacuum cleaner to dry wet carpet, the water will directly enter the motor cavities and rust or damage the vacuum cleaner.
Hence, they can be used on a dry carpet but not for vacuuming a wet carpet.
☠️Damage To Filters
If you use a regular vacuum cleaner (or even wet-dry ones), remove the vacuum filter before you vacuum on a wet carpet.
Why?
Because most of the filters get damaged after coming in contact with water.
Besides, putting a wet filter in your vacuum cleaner can void the warranty of most vacuum cleaners.
🔥Electric Fire
Vacuuming a wet surface with a household vacuum cleaner can be extremely dangerous. Water is a good conductor of electricity.
Hence, using a traditional vacuum cleaner for drying a wet carpet can damage the vacuum cleaner’s electronic components and cause fire hazards.
🤔How to Dry Damp Carpet Fast?
Damp carpets can shelter mold and bacteria, producing a funny unpleasant smell that is difficult to live with.
To dry wet carpets fast without regular vacuum cleaners, you can use the following methods:
🪠Use Wet-Dry Vacuum
Household vacuums can clean dry debris. Vacuuming liquids is only possible with a shop vacuum or wet-dry vacuum.
A wet-dry vacuum cleaner, often called a shop vac, can suck wet spills out of wet carpets, but it won’t help much if the water has seeped through the carpet padding.
Shop vacs are built to handle the heavy-duty mess, be it water from carpet fibers. Besides, shop vac has greater suction power than regular vacuums.
Here are the steps to follow:
💦Soak Moisture With a Towel
If you have normal wet spills on the carpet, it is best to soak it with a dry towel. However, even small liquid spills should be dried faster as you don’t want them to seep through the carpet fibers and lead to mildew growth. Small liquid messes can be dried using this technique.
Here are the steps to follow:
Also Read: How To Remove Soap Residue From Carpet
🍃Use Fans and Dehumidifiers
Using a fan or dehumidifier can dry a slightly damp carpet. So in case you don’t have wet vacuums to dry carpets,
Here are the steps to follow:
💡Pro Tips:
1. Sprinkling baking soda all over the wet carpet and leaving it for some time can do the trick. It will eliminate the water and the odor that must be coming from the wet carpet.
2. Do not vacuum. It will ruin the filter. Instead, sweep it off later on.
🧽Replace Soaking Pads
Replace the wet soaking pad of a wet carpet if you can’t dry it within 24 hrs. It’s because mold and mildew grow well on the pad beneath the carpet.
Having mildew growth beneath the carpet is certainly the last thing you want! You can hire a professional to replace the carpet padding.
Note:
Also Read: Can Your Vacuum Pull Up Carpet Fibers?
💡Can You Vacuum a Wet Carpet: FAQs
What happens if you vacuum something wet?
If you accidentally vacuumed water with a standard vacuum, there was a high chance of electrocution (electric shock😬).
Also, using a normal vacuum cleaner for a wet carpet may damage the motor and the HEPA filters of the vacuum cleaner.
What is the best thing to do with wet carpets?
The best thing to do with a wet carpet is to use a wet-dry vacuum (shop vacs) cleaner after removing its filters.
Shop vacs specialized to suck water from damp surfaces. Alternatively, dry the excess moisture under a fan or use a towel to soak liquid spills.
How long should you wait to vacuum after shampooing the carpet?
After shampooing the carpet, you should wait 6-10 hrs to let the carpet dry. You might have to wait longer during rainy or humid seasons.
How do you dry wet carpets without a vacuum?
To dry a wet carpet without regular vacuum cleaners, you can use the following methods:
1. Put the wet carpet under the fan and open all the windows.
2. Use a dehumidifier to dry the wet carpet and prevent bad odors.
3. Put a dry towel over the wet carpet area and let it soak all the moisture.
How long does it take for mold to grow in wet carpets?
Mold or mildew can develop within 1 to 2 days of water exposure.
Adarsh is a Health Science graduate with expertise in environmental health and wellness. He is a Neat Freak who constantly looks for ways to keep his surroundings clean. At Clean Homies, Adarsh is focused on researching and sharing information on how you can maintain hygiene at home for a happy life.