I had my carpets cleaned by a well-known company about five weeks ago. They did the job while the house was empty. I just went back recently and noticed the carpets feel a bit damp. They're not soaking wet, but definitely have a slight dampness to them. I'm worried this could lead to mold growth even though I don't see any visible signs. Should I have the carpet cleaners come back to re-shampoo and extract, try drying it with fans, or is it time to replace the carpets? I'm looking to get this sorted before I move back in, as the house will be rented out.
3 Answers
When I had my carpets cleaned, I ran the heater and a dehumidifier, which really helped. Since you’re in a more humid area, that might be a game changer. Running your AC can also help get rid of humidity in the air, but you might want to stay on top of it with fans and a dehumidifier to tackle any potential issues before they start.
I used to think carpet cleaning made my carpets wet for days, but really, it’s just how the process works. They use a lot of water during the cleaning, and while they do extract some of it back out, it can still leave the carpets damp depending on humidity and other factors. In the future, try using a dehumidifier or additional fans to help speed up the drying process, especially if it’s warm enough outside.
It’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for mold, especially since it’s been a while. A slight damp feeling isn’t ideal, but it sounds like there’s no major odor, which is a good sign. Just to be safe, it might be a good idea to have the cleaners take another look or use fans to help dry things out. You could also check if running the AC a bit more might help reduce humidity!