Common Problems Associated with Over-wetting Your Carpet
ShareBack in the years before mild carpet cleaning solutions and sophisticated cleaning equipment were introduced, the issue of over-wetting was common for both homeowners and carpet cleaning companies. Despite the advancement in the carpet cleaning technology, there are various instances when you can over-wet a carpet, usually when you opt for DIY cleaning. Over-wetting can cause irreversible damage to your rug; therefore, it should be avoided at all costs. Here are some of the common problems associated with over-wetting and how you can prevent them.
Carpet shrinking
If your carpet shrinks after cleaning, one of the primary causes is over-wetting. In some cases, the shrinkage may be minimal, and you can easily stretch it back. However, if it's significant, you may be left with no option other than to replace the carpet. You can protect your carpet from shrinking in the following ways.
• Avoid using too much water during cleaning. If you do, try to remove as much of the water as you can before leaving it to dry.
• Use a quality carpet cleaning machine that will be able to suck out most, if not all, the water from the carpet.
• Choose a rug with a plastic mesh backing. Unlike woven rugs with jute or cotton, carpets with a plastic mesh backing don't shrink.
Bad odor and molding
Carpets made from jute or cotton take long to dry, especially when over-wet. The moisture creates a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive, causing the carpet to emit a distinct musty smell. In addition to bad odor, a wet carpet can develop mold spores, which can damage the carpet and also cause respiratory problems to members of your household.
To prevent bacteria from growing on your carpet, ensure that it is completely dry before laying it back. If you don't have a good cleaning machine, clean your carpet on a sunny day so that you can lay it out to dry in the sun.
Stains and spots
If you notice brown or yellow stains or spots on the tips of your cotton or jute carpet after cleaning, it is most likely due to over-wetting. Carpets usually dry from the tips towards the backing. When they are too wet, the cleaning solution first dries on the surface. Water from the backing rises to the surface, bringing with it soil, spillage and other residues. When the residue dries up on the surface, it causes brown or yellow spots. To remove these stains and spots, you may need to consult a carpet cleaning specialist.
The problem of carpet over-wetting is usually due to poor cleaning techniques or use of an inappropriate machine. To avoid the eyesore or the cost of replacing a ruined carpet, hire a professional cleaning company for your carpet cleaning solutions.