Wet carpet could be a major issue, whether caused by a spilt beverage or a leaking roof. You might be curious about whether it’s safe to place furniture on top of wet carpet and, if so, how long you can keep it there before the furniture starts to harm the flooring.
Furniture shouldn’t be placed on wet carpet, as doing so fosters the growth of mold and mildew. A moist carpet can damage wooden furniture and also cause metal to rust over time. The carpet might also become stained by rust from the furniture and any spots on moist wood.
To know more, keep on reading.
Does Furniture Get Damaged When on a Wet Carpet?
Wood furniture can develop blemishes, and furniture with metal at the base and legs will rust. Undried wood can also decay if kept on wet carpet for too long. Moreover, the glue in some furniture may react with the water from the carpet to break the seal.
Damage is likely to occur when water contacts objects that are not water-resistant or have not been waterproofed. Most furniture falls within this category. A sealant is sometimes applied to wood furniture, however many sealants only last a year or two and are not watertight.
How Long Should You Wait Before Placing Furniture Back on Carpet?
Ventilation is necessary for a carpet to dry properly and larger items of furniture may obstruct effective airflow. Hence, it is normally recommended to wait 6 to 12 hours before reinstalling the furniture to allow the carpet to dry fully. However, in particularly humid situations, it is advised to wait for up to 24 hours.
A carpet is also susceptible to mold formation if it takes more than 24 hours to dry. Therefore, you should ensure that any furniture without legs sitting on the ground is either raised on blocks or is totally off of the carpet. For instance, a huge wooden chest without legs has to be placed on blocks to allow the carpet underneath it to breathe.
How Can You Protect Your Furniture and Wet Carpet From Being Damaged?
Around the furniture’s legs, you can simply use a plastic sheet or cover. Additionally, blocks, made of foam, wood, styrofoam, or other materials, can be used to lift up furniture without legs. There are also products available in the market which you could buy to raise furniture by placing it under the legs of furniture.
Keep in mind that what you use isn't all that important as long as it can support the weight of the furniture and will keep it dry. Just covering it with plastic can do the work. There are products that make the procedure simpler, but you don't necessarily have to go out and get them.
Types of Products to Protect Furniture From Wet Carpet
Items for protecting your furniture are generally available at stores like Home Depot or any general hardware store. However, many supermarkets and home improvement retailers also sell them or you can purchase them online. Below are the different types of products you can buy to avoid ruining your furniture as well as your carpet.
- Foil tabs: These have a paper on one side and metal foil on the other. They are frequently utilized by expert carpet cleaners. These are relatively basic items that maintain the appearance of your furniture and carpet while the carpet dries.
- Felt pads: Felt pads are typically made for usage with hardwood and other types of flooring. However, they also have the ability to work on carpets as well. They shield your flooring from scratches and damage caused by furniture feet.
- Foam blocks: High-density polystyrene foam blocks are available to protect your furniture. Moreover, these blocks are pre-cut, which makes them simpler to use and position beneath furniture and helps to prevent crumbling.
- Furniture leg covers: Compared to nail-on felt pads, furniture leg coverings are much better since they don’t wear off the carpet. These leg covers are basically silicon rubber sleeves and are flexible enough to adapt to various furniture feet shapes and sizes. Anybody with some grip strength can easily install them and once stretched across the feet, it is simple to keep them in place.
On the other hand, because furniture covers are composed of many different sorts of relatively basic materials, you may make them yourself. These covers can be constructed from durable plastic, wood, foam, or even cardboard.
Be careful that anything you use won’t mark or harm your carpets or furniture. You shouldn’t have any problems as long as it is constructed of sturdy enough material to resist being torn through by the furniture.
Final Words on Putting Furniture on Wet Carpet
To sum it up, you typically should wait before putting your furniture back on a wet carpet. Generally, you have to wait 6 to 12 hours before placing your furniture. However, if you have to, you may use any type of furniture protector to avoid staining your carpet.
Also, make sure to keep the carpet properly ventilated as mould formation might occur if the carpet stays wet after 24 hours.
