How to Repair a Wet Carpet

Move the carpet (and the padding) outside to air dry if the carpeting isn’t secured and can be removed. Use rubber gloves. You may want to use a wet vac or squeegee before you move it to remove the majority of water. Once outside, sprinkle some baking soda, cleanser or a carpet-fresh product onto the carpet and re-vacuum. Turn the carpet occasionally. Use a bleach solution on the floor in the basement (if that’s where the damage occurred) to sanitize it and kill and prevent mold.

Use a wet vac on the carpet if it cannot be moved to the outside. Use a flat-head attachment and remove as much water as possible. Use a squeegee if you don’t have a wet vac. Set up and turn on some fans as you work. Open any available windows and turn off the furnace and any humidifiers.

Sprinkle baking soda, cleanser or a carpet-fresh product on the carpet once you’ve removed as much water as possible with the wet vac. Spread it with a broom to cover the carpet and then vacuum again.

Poke a tiny hole in the center of the carpet and insert a hook attached to a sturdy string or chord. Loop the chord over a pipe and pull the carpet taught in a tent-like shape to allow air to circulate and dry out the padding. Leave the fans running and turn on a dehumidifier if you have one.

Ensure that the carpet is thoroughly dry before removing the tenting mechanism. This may take a day or more. Walk on the carpet barefooted. Make sure the padding is not wet and leaking through or squishing as you walk. If it is, repeat the tenting maneuver and keep the fans blowing until dry.

Use a bleach solution on all areas surrounding the carpet that came into contact with the water.