In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How do you dry wet carpet in an RV? We will tell you how to dry an RV carpet step by step and give you a few extra tips for cleaning it.
How do you dry wet carpet in an RV?
Here are our three simple and quick solutions for drying a wet carpet in an RV:
- Place a towel on the wet surfaces as soon as possible;
- Use a wet vacuum cleaner to absorb all the moist;
- Use a hairdryer to quicken the process.
Drying a wet carpet in an RV is quite easy:
- To begin with, it is important to determine the source of the leak;
- With a wet vacuum or dehumidifier, remove as much water as possible. Keep the device in the vehicle until all moisture has evaporated. Also, remember to sponge the non-carpeted areas;
- Make sure there is no infiltration into the carpet under the carpet. To do this, use pliers and gloves to remove the carpet from a corner. Dry the carpets in a suitable place and separately.
- Observe the required drying time to prevent the appearance of mould. Spread towels on the carpet to soak up as much water as possible. Then blow them with a hairdryer until the affected part is completely dry;
- Replace rugs when dry to prevent new mold growth. To completely remove the carpet, do not hesitate to call in a professional for a better result.
Below we will discuss the above mentioned three simple solutions in more detail and tell you how to dry a wet carpet in an RV step by step.
Dry a wet carpet in an RV with a towel
To properly dry an RV carpet that is still wet, it is important to intervene quickly. Moisture can cause discolouration and even mould to fabric in as little as 24 hours. It is also essential to prevent water from seeping in and damaging the electrical circuits.
Start by opening the RV doors and sliding the seats so that the wet areas are well ventilated. Remove the rugs to let them dry outside. Get dry towels and place them on the carpet and rugs. Walk on them until they are soaked in water. This will remove the excess water and make the disaster area a little drier.
Vacuum the RV carpet to dry it out
Using a wet vacuum will allow you to dry your car’s carpets and rugs effectively. But be careful, do not use the regular vacuum cleaner you clean with: it is not designed for this, and you risk damaging it.
Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, or a so-called “wet and dry” model. If you don’t need them on a daily basis, there’s no need to buy one of these devices for the occasion: they can be rented very easily. For more efficiency, you can also use a dehumidifier that you leave in the car until all the water has evaporated.
Vacuum as much water as possible from your carpets and car mats. Do not hesitate to peel your carpet slightly at an angle – with pliers and gloves – to vacuum underneath and prevent mould growth. Avoid cutting the carpet or removing it entirely, it would be very difficult to replace it on your own.
If you have any doubts, don’t take any chances and turn to a professional. He will be able to advise you and take care of your carpet and wet rugs.
Use a hairdryer to dry an RV carpet
After vacuuming up the water, to make sure you dry your carpets and rugs properly, finish the job with a hairdryer. If you have one, you can use a fan heater.
As explained previously, it is essential to make sure that the fabrics are completely dry in order to avoid any risk of mould. Once this step is complete, you can put the rugs back in place if they are dry. If you have the possibility, do not hesitate to leave your car to air out for a long time with the windows open, in a covered area.
If, however, you find that the mould smell is too strong, it is better to change the rugs.
RV carpet cleaning technique for better drying time
Too long a drying time leads to the proliferation of bacteria and even the development of mould. Note that the ideal is less than 24 hours or even 12 hours. Thus, the cleaning technique plays an important role in optimizing drying.
Carpet cleaning with water: if it is covered with a stain or dirt, use shampoo of the appropriate composition. Then use a carpet cleaner to propel water jets on the carpet which will be simultaneously sucked by the tool;
The carpet drying time also deserves special attention in order to avoid bad odours. For this purpose, it is important not to wet it too much to prevent the spread of mould and bacteria. If necessary, consider using a fan or a dehumidifier to speed up drying.
Drying a carpet with a towel is done in a few steps:
- To start, cover the wet area with a towel. Walk on it so as to soak it with water. Repeat the operation until the liquid is completely soaked. Make sure that the floor or the floor under the carpet remains intact;
- Vacuum the wet carpet. Give preference to versions incorporating options dedicated to water suction;
- Check the level of the vacuum cleaner container, making sure it does not overflow. Depending on the amount of water on the carpet, it can be emptied several times.
In addition to the first two options, it is also possible to speed up the removal of moisture with another device such as a hairdryer, fan or dehumidifier. In this case, point them in the direction of the wetland until the water has completely evaporated. Inspect the floor under the carpet again for any stagnant water.
How to dry a wet carpet under a piece of furniture
It is often difficult to dry a hard-to-reach area, especially under furniture. To achieve this :
- Start by moving the piece of furniture in question to check the condition of the wall and the floor under the carpet;
- Evacuate the water using one of these techniques: with a wet vacuum or by using a water extraction unit;
- Check the amount of water left under the carpet to better evacuate it later. The operation consists of walking on the carpet until all the liquid is evacuated;
- Peel the carpet off the floor starting at one corner. Using pliers and gloves, loosen it from the padding mat. The floor under the carpet should then be allowed to dry. To start, lift it by stretching the adhesive strips on the corners. It is also possible to pull on the edge of the carpet. To access the padding mat, fold the corner or side of the carpet;
- Blow air between the rug and the carpet for quick drying. A dehumidifier allows the water to drain easily. A fan can also be used to quickly dry the area between the rug and the carpet. Do not hesitate to turn up the heating and open the windows for optimal drying;
- To better suck up moisture, connect a vacuum hose to the vacuum drain system before installing the hose under the carpet.
How to dry a wet carpet with baking soda
It is possible to quickly dry a wet carpet with baking soda:
- Vacuum the wet area to reveal the amount of water retained in the carpet. Absorb as much water as possible with a towel to facilitate drying;
- Pour in a large amount of baking soda. It is possible to use an entire cartridge depending on the size of the wet carpet. Leave the product to act for 24 hours for better moisture and odour absorption;
- Vacuum again to remove the remaining baking soda from the carpet;
- Use a large fan or heater for faster drying.
Conclusions
If all our tips fail, the last option is to involve professionals. Use a company that can certify a dry carpet as well as the floor and the upholstery mat. Depending on the factor causing the damage, the cost of the intervention may be covered.
If you have any tips, comments or questions about the content, please let us know!
FAQ on How do you dry wet carpet in an RV?
How to dry a large carpet?
To dry a large carpet blow air between the rug and the carpet for quick drying. A dehumidifier makes it easy to drain away from the water. A fan can also be used to quickly dry the area between the rug and the carpet.
How to remove humidity in a motorhome?
To remove humidity in a motorhome follow these steps:
- Thoroughly inspect the motorhome and plug the “air holes”
- Improve insulation and glazing.
- Slightly heat the vehicle.
- Activate the ventilation in the water parts.
- Ventilate regularly.
How to dry a carpet quickly?
To dry a carpet quickly you have to use the heat. As with cleaning, you can use a fan or a carpet heater to dry the carpet. Warm air retains more moisture than cold air and is, therefore, more effective in pushing water out of the carpet. Use a dehumidifier to keep the room dry
How to remove water stains from a carpet?
To remove a water stain from a carpet, we advise you to lightly rub your carpet with a damp cloth and a drop of vinegar. Leave to dry or repeat the operation until the stain disappears.
