Last Updated: February 26, 2024
Carpets provide an elegant look and feel to your house and help maintain cleanliness on the floor. However, rugs have a short shelf-life, and not maintaining them properly will reduce their longevity. Wet carpets can trap dirt particles in the fibers and are challenging to clean; whether you’re managing the consequences of a flood or leaky pipe, coping with a soaked carpet is no laughing matter. A damp rug generates a foul smell that can last for months, worse it can breed molds and mildew, resulting in severe damage to the property and personnel.
How to Determine If the Carpet is Wet?
Sometimes appearance does lie; it is not necessary that a wet carpet will appear moist outright. You may have some old moisture trapped below the rug’s surface, or there’s an unattended small leak in the corner of the house that is causing the wet carpet.
One of the easiest ways to spot carpet moisture problems is by identifying the foul odor emanating from the affected area that won’t go away with vacuuming and regular cleaning; it may be due to the wet carpet. If left untreated, this musty smell will continue to penetrate your indoor air and cause the house to stink. Other signs of trapped moisture include constant sickness and allergy symptoms in family members and pets and discoloration on some carpet places.
Should You Let Wet Carpets Sit?
Leaving wet carpet unattended risks damaging the carpet and the padding beneath and can also affect the subflooring. When you leave moisture seated in a warm, dark place, these toxins will invade your home – and once moisture and mold penetrate a carpet pad, it is difficult to remove altogether. Left untreated, it impacts people sensitive to allergens.
How to Dry Carpet
The best way to quickly dry the wet carpet is to remove as much water from the fibers as possible, using an industrial carpet cleaner or a damp vacuum.
First of all, it is essential to stop water from flowing into the problem area. Then consider the amount of water that has penetrated your carpet.
If you have a small area with a wet carpet, remove all furniture and any other items and take it outside to air dry. If you are dealing with a wall-to-wall carpet, you may need to dry there itself.
Use Cleaning Solution: Baking soda works wonders when lifting and removing trapped moisture, while you can also use a specially designed cleaning solution for this purpose. Pour a cleaning solution over the wet carpet and leave it for some time. Then, use a garden hose with a strong spray nozzle to spray clean water on the carpet from the top and bottom and rinse thoroughly.
Replace Carpet Padding: A wet carpet pad can hold its weight in water many times, so it is vital to get as much water as possible out of the pad. In most cases where water has permeated the carpet, you need to discard and replace the padding to prevent the mold from penetrating the main carpet.
How does a Dehumidifier help in Removing Moisture from Wet Carpet?
Dehumidifiers are great at drying deep, embedded moisture. They efficiently remove large amounts of moisture around the clock and ultimately revitalize damp, moisture-laden areas. Dehumidifiers draw out the moisture trapped under sodden carpets and beneath floorboards. A dehumidifier can help you minimize the damage and dry beneath floors and other hard-to-reach areas that a fan couldn’t cover. A home dehumidifier may be enough for smaller carpets, but large rugs and moisture-saturated regions may require a commercial or restoration dehumidifier.
For removing the moisture from the damp carpet:
- Place your dehumidifier at the center of the room with the wet carpet, close all windows and doors and turn the machine on to the lowest humidity setting.
- Check the area affected the following day for any signs of wetness.
- Press paper towels against the carpeting and pad underneath to see if any dampness remains.
- Reinstall the dry carpet and pad after the sub-floor is completely dry.
- If you have fans installed in the room, turn them on, as increased air circulation will aid in the drying process.
Best Moisture Removal Dehumidifiers from Carpet
1. Waykar 70 Pint Dehumidifier
Featuring a powerful compressor and 112 CFM system, the Waykar dehumidifier can remove up to 9 gallons or 70 pints (under 95°F,85%RH condition) of moisture per day in areas up to 4,500 square feet. Whether you are dealing with a humid basement, office, home, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, stockroom, living room, laundry room, cellars, crawlspace, etc., this powerful dehumidifier from Waykar quickly and efficiently reduces indoor humidity to help protect clothes, home goods, and furniture from moist situations.
Boasting a sleek and modern design, the Waykar dehumidifier comes with built-in wheels and ergonomically placed handles. The machine comes with a quiet fan with adjustable fan speeds that won’t disturb you when you sleep or at work. There are four air outlets on the four sides of the dehumidifier that improve the speed of dehumidification. It comes with a drain hose outlet that can be attached to the included 6.56 feet drain hose for round-the-clock drainage. When the 4.5L water tank reaches its maximum capacity, the Full Tank Alert indicator will light up, and the dehumidifier will shut down until the tank has been emptied.
The Waykar dehumidifier features an intelligent screen touch control panel display that is easy to operate. You can conveniently adjust the ideal moisture setting, and the device will smartly sense room humidity and control dehumidification to maintain pre-set humidity levels. The Waykar dehumidifier comes with a 24-hour time and features an automatic shut Off/On when the bucket is full and switches it on again after the bucket has been emptied.
Waykar dehumidifier comes with a safety standby mode that prevents overheating. The machine comes with overflow protection and alarming function in case when a water tank is full. The Waykar dehumidifier’s internal components are made of thermally resistant materials and include child-lock and sleep mode functions. The Waykar dehumidifier is covered with a 30-day money-back, one-year warranty, 2nd-year warranty extension, and lifetime expert tech support.
The Waykar 70 pint dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air and also purifies the surrounding environment. With the built-in air purifying system, it can reduce room odors, dirt or dust, etc., to bring you a healthier, more comfortable environment. To keep the dehumidifier working effectively, wipe down the water tank every fortnight and clean the air filter once a month with a soft cloth and water. When storing the dehumidifier, clean the base, water tank, and air filter, cover the machine with a plastic bag, and place it in an upright position in a well-ventilated space.
Pros
- Air Purifier
- Four Air Outlets
- Auto shut off
- Water Full Alarm
- Power Outage Automatic Restart
Cons
- Instruction manual with regard to programming the time schedule is not very clear
2. COLZER 164 Pints Water Damage Restoration Dehumidifier with 1.32 Gallon Water Reservoir – 20.5 Gallon/Day
The Colzer restoration dehumidifier can remove up to 20.5 gallons or 164 pints of moisture per day (90 PPD AHAM). The dehumidifier helps you quickly dry your basements, warehouses, garages, wine cellars, and spaces up to 7,000 sq. ft. The dehumidifier features an efficient fan system that operates at a high airflow rate of 206 CFM and can remove the excess moisture from the surrounding air and furniture and is suitable for urgent water damage restoration after a flood or leak, new building construction drying, carpet drying, etc.
The Colzer 164 pints dehumidifier, features an automatic humidistat that will detect the temperature and humidity level in the area and maintain the humidity at a pre-set level. The machine provides convenient drainage options with the included 6.56 ft. drain hose to gravity drain the condensation automatically and continuously. This high-efficiency dehumidifier comes with a 1.3-gallon water reservoir, so you can use the dehumidifier if there is no drainage option. The appliance will switch off automatically when the container is full to prevent overflow.
The Colzer 164 pints heavy-duty dehumidifier is made of a metal outer casing that is anti-collision and anti-corrosion, ensuring long-term use and easy maintenance. This industrial dehumidifier, packed with two 8-inch large semi-pneumatic wheels, two flexible front casters, and a sturdy handlebar, is easy to move.
The COLZER Commercial Dehumidifier adapts to precision sensors and is designed with a large digital display control panel which offers an eye-catching and accurate humidity level readout; the physical button makes it easy to operate and avoid wrong keystrokes. The commercial-grade dehumidifier supports a larger range of settings, from 10% to 98%.
The COLZER commercial dehumidifier will automatically detect and melts ice from frozen coils and enable continuous operation at low temperatures down to 41°F. The high-airflow filter protects internal components from damage due to dust and other particles, ensuring efficient operation and long-term use. The filter is washable and reusable and does not require filter replacement. The dehumidifier will automatically restart with the previous function settings when the power resumes if it shuts off unexpectedly due to a power outage, ensuring continuous operation under less supervision.
Pros
- Dent-resistant Metal Housing
- Automatic Humidistats
- Auto Defrost
- Power Outage Restart
- Malfunction Detection
Cons
- Bit heavy
- The included tube is extremely short
3. AlorAir Commercial Dehumidifier 113 Pint
The AlorAir Sentinel HD55 dehumidifier can remove 113 pints per day and provide effective dehumidification in areas up to 1,200 sq. ft. Measuring 19.2″ (W) x 12.2″ (D) x 13.3″ (H), the Sentinel HD55 is much smaller and more compact than the conventional basement size dehumidifiers. It allows for more flexibility with transportation, placement, and storage.
The Sentinel HD55 Dehumidifier extracts moisture at a professional level to prevent damage to furniture, floors, carpets, and walls after floods, leaks, or burst pipes. You can use this professional dehumidifier in crawl spaces, basements, warehouses, offices, factories, shops, storage areas, restaurants, and museums. It also works well for urgent water damage restoration, fast structural drying, etc. The Sentinel HD55 comes with preassembly, external condensate connection point, and side sliding filter to simplify the installation process.
The ETL listed dehumidifier is made of a metal outer casing capable of withstanding rugged conditions, ensuring long-term use and easy maintenance and fit any crawl spaces, basements, warehouses, offices, factories, shops, storage areas. You can adjust the ideal humidity setting to minimize moisture and reduce odor. The high-dense MERV-8 filter protects internal components from damage due to dust and other particles. The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter once every 2-3 months. The dehumidifier drains automatically, saving you the hassle of pouring away water every hour.
The AlorAir commercial dehumidifier can work at a temperature as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring continuous and effective dehumidification without frequent stopping during the defrosting process, saving energy increasing its longevity. Featuring a compact design and a rugged handle, the dehumidifier is easy and safe to transport. The professional dehumidifier comes with a five years warranty.
The AlorAir Sentinel HD55 allows you to set any target humidity level between 35% and 90%. To avoid Freon leakage, AlorAir has introduced Rare Earth Alloy Tube Evaporator. This innovative feature extends the coils’ life by protecting against maintaining the coil’s heat transferability. The AlorAir dehumidifier is designed with the remote monitoring function(remote needs to be purchased separately), making this unit ideal for places where remote sensing and controlling are required; it is also a good choice for sound insulation saving space.
Pros
- Auto-Diagnosis System
- Auto Defrosting Function
- Auto-Restart
- Remote option
- Adjustable feet and handle
- Washable MERV-8 Filter
- Built-In humidity sensor
- Optional Duct-Hot air exhaust for focused Dehumidification
Cons
- Crawl space, hose could have been a little longer
4. AIRPLUS 70 Pints Dehumidifier with Efficient and Quick Moisture Removal
The Airplus AP1902 can remove up to 70 pints (under 90% RH @ 86°F condition) of water per day. Absorbing moisture quickly, it fits in medium to large rooms. With high-efficiency dehumidification and compact design, the dehumidifier works well in the living room, bathroom, kitchen, RV, closet, etc.
The Airplus AP1902 features multifunctional modes- standard, raining, drying, and sleep- that can be used effectively to handle different situations. The dehumidifier provides an intelligent operation that automatically detects humidity and adjusts accurately to maintain it at the desired level. Additionally, its two-way timing function frees you from waiting to turn it on/off.
The Airplus AP1902 comes with a dehumidifier hose that ensures convenient and effort-saving continuous drainage, coupled with the large-capacity water tank. If the 4.1-liter tank is full, the dehumidifier will automatically shut off until it is emptied and placed in the right place. Rest assured!
The premium universal wheels ensure flexible and convenient movement, making it the ideal one for the least-effort use. The embedded handle is neither stiff nor sharp but ergonomic for use. Loaded with a detachable and washable filter, this dehumidifier is designed for convenience. The dehumidifier is designed with compact storage for the power cord.
The advanced auto-defrosting technology allows this dehumidifier to detect the status of the evaporator and defrost automatically. Despite the auto frost detection, the dehumidifier can automatically detect ambient humidity and adjust the working position automatically. The Airplus AP1902 comes with a 2-year quality service of a replacement or a full refund.
Pros
- Multiple Operation Modes
- Universal Wheels
- Detachable and washable filter
- Constant Humidity
- Quiet Operation
Cons
- Unclear Instructions
- Small Drainage Tube
5. RinKmo 296 PPD Commercial Dehumidifier 37 Gallons Heavy Duty Industrial Water Damage Restoration Dehumidifier –
The RinKmo commercial dehumidifier features a high-efficiency compressor that delivers maximum moisture extraction of up to 296 pints per day, making it suitable for large basements, industrial warehouses, workshop, greenhouse, etc. Even with high removal capacity, the RinKmo PD1201A is much more compact than the conventional industrial dehumidifiers.
The heavy-duty dehumidifier comes with a higher capacity fan that operates at 353 CFM, allowing a greater moisture removal rate and a significant coverage area of up to 8,000 sq. ft. This restoration dehumidifier is excellent for water damage restoration. It can quickly and efficiently dry damp and even wet carpeting, furniture, floors, and walls after floods, plumbing leaks, or rain ingress. The dehumidifier is packed with four casters, two side-recessed handles, and a storage housing design, allowing flexibility with transportation, placement, and storage.
The RinKmo dehumidifier offers a large touch-pad LED control panel that provides excellent convenience for humidity setting and monitoring, timer programming, fan speed selecting, and working status reading. The large room dehumidifier comes with AUTO ON/OFF to maintain the room humidity around the set point, AUTO RESTART after a power failure, and AUTO DEFROST when coils iced up, ensuring worry-free operation.
The RinKmo dehumidifier includes a 3.28 ft. drain hose for continuous draining by gravity. It also comes with a sizeable 3.17-gallon bucket. This commercial-grade dehumidifier will AUTO STOP to prevent overflowing when the bucket is full.
Pros
- Superior Moisture Removal
- Easy-to-roll casters along with side-recessed handles
- Water Damage Restoration
- Advanced Touch-pad Control
- Optimized Drainage
- 8000 sq. ft. coverage area
- Large Water Reservoir
Cons
- Pricey
- Short hose/Gravity Drain
Comparison of the best dehumidifiers for wet carpet
| Product | Capacity | Suitable for area | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waykar | 70 pints | 4,500 square feet | Check price |
| COLZER | 164 pints | 7,000 suare feet | Check price |
| AlorAir | 113 pints | 1,200 square feet | Check price |
| AIRPLUS | 70 pints | medium to large spaces | Check price |
| RinKmo | 296 pints | 8,000 suare feet | Check price |
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