When our homes are plagued by flooding, leaking and other disasters which lead to the unwanted entry of water, we find ourselves weighed down with the problem of having a wet carpet. Having a wet carpet is a big inconvenience. After all, the presence of water in the carpet can be very destructive. Since the material from which carpets are usually made is absorbent, the moisture stays in there for a long time. This can encourage the growth and reproduction of molds and mildew. To avoid the further deterioration of the carpet, it is important to dry the carpet right after it comes in contact with water.
Being confronted with a problem like this tempts us to pick up the phone and call our resident professional carpet cleaners at once. Homeowners who have encountered a water carpet problem more than once probably have the carpet cleaners' number on speed dial. But while this is undeniably the easiest and most convenient way to address the predicament, this remedy also comes with a steep price. Hiring professionals to do the job may save your hands the dirty job but it will definitely hurt your wallet. Thus, you can follow these easy, do-it-yourself tricks and save both your carpet and your savings account.
1. Assess the damage
Before making any rash decision, take a step back and evaluate the extent of water damage on your carpet. If the carpet is only slightly wet, you can let it dry normally for a few hours. But if the carpet is completely saturated, you have to use a vacuum to dry it. Knowing the problem will make it easier to choose the most efficient remedy.
2. Vacuum the saturated areas
If you find the carpet to be very wet, take out that vacuum in the closet. Dry all the affected areas of the carpet. Focus on those that have been greatly affected by the flooding or leaking. Take breaks if necessary, put do not put the vacuum away until the carpet is completely dry.
3. Use other drying equipment
If using the vacuum is not enough to dry the carpet or if it is taking an unusually long time, you can also use electric fans and dehumidifiers. These two equipments work by sucking out the moisture and allowing it to evaporate. You can, however, skip this step if you do not have the equipments at home. There is no need to rent or purchase them.
4. Take the carpet out to the sun
After doing this, you can now remove the carpet from its tacks so that you can bring it out for air drying. You can leave the carpet in the driveway or in the yard to allow the sun and wind to speed up the drying process. Let the carpet lie flat so that it will not have wrinkles or waves once it dries out. Choose a location that has a wide open space and where nothing blocks the wind and the sunlight.
5. Clean and disinfect
Once the carpet is dry, you can now move on to making a thorough inspection of all its parts. Look for any remaining stain and dirt. If you want make sure that the carpet is completely germ-free, apply a deodorizing or sanitizing solution. This is important especially if the carpet has been submerged in flood waters which carry with them many germs and bacteria. It is necessary to disinfect the carpet to avoid the spread of diseases among the home's residents.
6. Always be safe
A wet carpet can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Practice safety and hygiene when you do the cleaning yourself. Wear hand gloves and face masks if necessary.
These are six easy ways to clean a wet carpet. There is no need to shell out a huge amount of money in hiring professional cleaners. All that are needed are regular home appliances and extra effort on your part in order to save your wet carpet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leo_Nov
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