Can I Walk On My Carpet Right After Cleaning?

If you just got your carpet cleaned, it took time and money to get it done. The fabric is now spotless and very wet. All that is left to complete the process is to let the carpet dry. Then you remember you left something across the house and are wondering whether or not you can walk across the freshly cleaned carpet. There is a right and wrong answer. Here are some helpful solutions rather than panicking and deciding if it may stain or even damage the carpet if you step across it.

How Long Should You Wait?

The shortest answer is: do not walk on the carpet right after cleaning. The minimum dry time is thirty minutes, giving the fabric some time to air dry and release some of the moisture. The better answer is to wait six hours, which would likely require leaving the house and returning to a clean and dry carpet.

What Happens?

The carpet will still be very wet just after cleaning and will not be fully clean until after drying. The damp fabric will absorb any dirt that’s placed on it and will hold onto better than if it were dry. The dirt sticks to the surface of the wet fabric, creating a bond that can then dry into a worse stain. The damp dirt combo will make cleaning the carpet a necessity again, even if it’s only in those spots. 

Protect The Clean

When you have to walk on the carpet right after it has been cleaned, it is best to remove shoes and wear clean white socks. Socks will help protect the possibly still moist carpet and avoid adding fresh stains after just having others removed. 

Furniture

Furniture should also wait to be placed back on clean carpets. The bottom of the furniture can dirty the floor just like walking on it with shoes. It is recommended to wait at least twenty-four hours before putting the furniture back onto the newly cleaned carpet. The only exception would be to put waterproof protectors on the bottoms of the furniture when replacing it. These protectors allow furniture to be placed anytime after cleaning.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming should be done before or during the carpet cleaning process. After the carpet is clean, it is best to let it dry completely. Vacuuming is not needed right after cleaning and can cause new and more severe stains, especially if the carpet is still partially wet. Otherwise, vacuuming should be done regularly if kids or pets are in the house. Children drop food, and pets can shed hair daily. 

How Often?

Carpets should be cleaned every six months to a year, especially if pets or children are in the house. Cleaning can be done on your own with a few purchases or by a professional service, but it is best to wait to walk on it afterward. For professional carpet cleaning, contact the experts at Roy’s Carpet Cleaning in Boston today! 617-607-3399