Should You Vacuum After Carpet Cleaning?

Many people wonder if it wise to vacuum the carpet after it has been cleaned. The simple answer is yes, you can vacuum after cleaning, but you have to keep a few things in mind to get the maximum benefit out of it. Here is everything you need to know about vacuuming your carpet after cleaning.

Should You Vacuum After Carpet Cleaning?

Vacuum After Carpet Cleaning
You can vacuum after carpet cleaning, but you have to wait a while before you start to vacuum. That is because you can’t vacuum a wet carpet. You have to wait for it to be completely dry before you use the vacuum.

Vacuums are not suitable for handling liquids. If you use the vacuum on a wet carpet, it will not work properly, and there is a high chance your vacuum will stop working or malfunction. So, it is best to wait for the carpet to dry before you vacuum thoroughly.

How Long Should You Wait to Vacuum After Shampooing Carpet?

The time you need to wait depends on how long it takes for the carpet to become dry. Various types of carpets fabric or material will take different drying times. For example, carpets made of plastic will dry much faster then the ones made from wool. Another factor that will affect the drying time is the texture of the carpet.

As a general rule of thumb, you should give your carpet twenty-four hours so it can dry completely. Once you feel that there is no moisture or water left in the carpet, you can begin vacuuming it. Dry it under the sun or in a dry room with the fan to ensure all the water is dried up completely.

How Long Does It Take Carpet to Dry After Cleaning?

Typically, it takes at least six to ten hours for the carpet to dry. However, it can also take twenty-four hours for the carpet to dry, depending on the size and fabric of your carpet and the time of the year. The time of the year matters because humidity, temperature, and air circulation also affect the drying time.

Of course, during the peak summer months, it will not take more than six to ten hours to dry, but it might take longer in the fall or winter months. You can check after ten hours to see if your carpet is dry or if it needs more time.

Should You Vacuum Before Carpet Cleaning?

Vacuuming before carpet cleaning may seem like a waste of time, but it is not. It would be best if you always vacuumed before because it removes all loose dirt particles. Besides that, it also removes any sand or gravel particles that are trapped inside the carpet.

Vacuuming will also fluff the fibers and loosen the dirt and dust stuck deep within the carpet. It will require less effort and time for you to clean the carpet if you vacuum it beforehand.

How Do I Prepare for a Carpet Cleaning Service?

If you have hired a professional company to clean your carpets, you will need to prep your home and carpet before they come. Here is what you need to do to ensure they have a smooth experience:

1. Tidy Up the Floor

The carpet cleaning service will need ample space to work. Before they come, you should tidy up the floors and pick up any clothes or toys that have been left. Such items can be safety hazards, and anyone can trip over them.

To save the professionals from these hazards, you have to tidy up your floor to have a smooth experience. After all, you don’t want anyone falling or tripping over anything.

2. Take Notes

When you tidy-up things, do a thorough inspection of your carpet before the service comes and note everything that is a problem. For example, you should take note of all the problem areas and stains on your carpet. It will allow you to point everything out to the service, so they know what to take care of.

Making these notes will also allow you to check later if they have done a good job of cleaning. So, make sure you write down everything that makes your carpet look dirty.

3. Move Furniture

If there are small pieces of furniture in the rooms, you will need to move them. These furniture pieces include coffee tables, chairs, magazine racks, and much more. You have to clear space for the professionals to work, which is why such furniture needs to be moved.

It will provide more space for the carpet cleaners to do their work, and they will clean it more effectively. If there is any furniture on the carpet such as a sofa or fridge, you will have to move that somewhere else too.

4. Move Fragile Items

Anything that can be easily broken should be removed from the rooms. These include decorative pieces, lamps, or any other item that is valuable and fragile. Carpet cleaning takes time and requires space, which is why you should keep all the rooms tidy and clean.

Doing so will allow the cleaners to move around without any hindrances freely. Making their job easier with such preparation will make your life easier.

5. Vacuum

Finally, you should vacuum to remove all the dirt and debris, before professional cleaning service arrive. In this way, they can start cleaning your carpet right away. Once you have vacuumed, they can focus on the deeply embedded dirt inside your carpet fibers.

Final Words
That was your complete guide to vacuuming the carpet before and after cleaning. You need to ensure you have prepped the carpet and your home before you start cleaning or before a cleaning service arrives. It will make everyone’s life easier as no one will face any hassle during the process.