Never vacuum a 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 explanation 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 is not normally 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.
This is 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 as 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 pose a fire hazard.
Also Read: How to clean an area rug
🤔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. However, 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:
Also Read: What Is the Best Solution for Soiled Carpets?
💦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.
Here are the steps to dry small liquid messes:
Also Read: How To Remove Soap Residue From Carpet
🍃Use Fans and Dehumidifiers
Using a fan or dehumidifier can dry a slightly damp carpet.
The ventilation and decrease in surrounding humidity levels accelerate the evaporation process, drying the carpet faster
So, in case you don’t have a wet vacuum to dry carpets,
Here are the steps to follow:
Pro Tip
1. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the wet carpet as it absorbs moisture and neutralizes bad odors.
2. After absorption, the baking soda forms clumps, which can be easily picked up with a vacuum. However, these clumps may block the vacuum bag and filter. So, prefer to sweep it off later instead.
🧽Replace Soaking Pads
Replace the wet soaking pad of a wet carpet if you can’t dry it within 24 hours. It’s because mold and mildew grow well on the moist pad beneath the carpet.
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 vacuum water with a standard vacuum, there is 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 use on 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 are 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 hours to let the carpet dry. You might have to wait longer during cold, rainy or humid seasons.
How do you dry wet carpets without a vacuum?
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 are 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 hours to let the carpet dry. You might have to wait longer during cold, rainy or humid seasons.
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.
