Can You Put Furniture on Wet Carpet? (This Might Happen)

Wet carpet can be a big problem, whether it’s the result of a spilled drink or a leaky roof. You might be wondering if you can put furniture on top of wet carpet, and if so, how long you can leave it there before the furniture starts to damage the flooring.

Furniture should not be put on wet carpets because it creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. A wet carpet can rust the metal on furniture and also blemish wood furniture. Additionally, any dampened wood stains and rust from the furniture can stain the carpet. 

Thankfully, there are actions you can take to put your furniture back without any of the issues above. In this article, we’ll answer those questions and share some tips for speeding up drying time to make the interruption to your daily life a little easier.

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What Can Happen When Furniture is Put on Wet Carpet

Before you put your furniture back prematurely and go back to daily life in your home, consider what you could be risking. 

Is it Bad for Furniture if it’s on a Wet Carpet? 

Furniture with metal near the base and legs will get rusted and wood furniture can become blemished. If left too long, undried wood can rot. The water from the carpet can also mix with the glue in some furnishings and break the seal.  

When water comes in contact with items that are not made for water or have not been waterproofed, the damage is likely to happen. 

This is true of most furniture. Many wood furnishings are coated with a sealant, but the sealant might not be waterproof and many sealants only last a year or two. 

Can You Set Furniture on a Wet Carpet?

You cannot always set furniture on wet carpet because it could prevent proper ventilation. If a carpet is left damp for more than 24 hours, mold will grow and your carpet will need to be replaced. Wet carpet will rust or blemish furniture which in turn will stain the carpet. 

You can put furniture on wet carpet, but it might come at a cost if you don’t use certain precautions.

You might need to replace a molded carpet if it doesn’t dry fast enough and your furniture might need replacing as well. 

What Happens When You Put Furniture on a Wet Carpet?

Nothing happens right away when you put furniture on wet carpet, but if the carpet is left wet for over 24 hours it can start to mold and your furniture could become blemished, or rusted depending on the type of material the furniture is made of. 

Depending on whether the furniture is made of wood or not, and what the wood is coated with will determine how likely the wet carpet will hurt your furniture, but it’s always safest to keep wood and metal furniture off of the wet carpet. 

Will Putting Furniture on a Wet Carpet Harm My Furniture?

Putting wood furniture on wet carpet will eventually blemish and warp the wood. If your furniture is metal or has metal details and hardware at its base and legs then the metal can rust and tarnish. If there is any glue used in the furniture the water can damage that as well.

Unless your furniture is made of plastic or other waterproof materials, especially at the base and legs, then it’s best not to have furniture on a wet carpet for any length of time.

Even if your furniture was made with a sealant that supposedly waterproofs the furniture, many wood furnishings are not made for lengthy exposure to water.

You might also enjoy our post on If You Can Put Furniture Over a Vent

Will Putting Furniture on Wet Carpet Harm My Carpet?

If your furniture is made of a non-waterproof material, it can stain the carpet. Wood stains on furniture, if wet, can seep into the carpet. If there is metal at the base or legs of the furniture, it can rust and the rust can stain the carpet.  

To keep your carpet nice after it’s been wet, it’s best to let it dry first and then put down the furniture. This will prevent stains from wet furniture. It will also increase drying time so that mold won’t start to grow. 

Does Carpet Dry Under Furniture?

In order for carpets to dry properly, it needs ventilation. Some larger furniture pieces can prevent proper ventilation. Generally speaking, you should let the carpet dry for 6 to 12 hours before replacing the furniture. It’s best to wait 24 hours, especially in more humid environments. 

If a carpet takes more than 24 hours it’s at risk for mold growth. Make sure furniture without legs that drop to the floor is put up on blocks or is off of the carpet completely. 

For example, if you have a large wooden chest without legs, it needs to be elevated on blocks so the carpet underneath the chest can ventilate. 

Protecting Your Furniture on Wet Carpet

There are ways to protect your furniture and carpet when the carpet is still wet and you don’t have to move your furniture off the carpet.

What Should I Put Under Furniture on a Wet Carpet?

You can put a plastic film or cover around the legs of the furniture. Furniture without legs needs to be raised up with blocks which can be foam blocks or blocks made of wood or styrofoam. There are also products you can buy to place under furniture legs or to raise up furniture. 

It doesn’t matter too much as to what you use, as long as it’s sturdy enough for the weight of the furniture and will keep the furniture dry.

A simple plastic covering will do the trick. There’s no need to go out and buy a specific product, but there are products that make the process easier. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWooVbsn0oo

What are Furniture Protectors Used for in Regards to Carpet Cleaning?

Furniture protectors are used to keep the furniture dry and protected from the wet carpet. Furniture block protectors also keep the furniture off the floor so the carpet can dry within 6 to 12 hours to prevent mold or mildew. 

There are many different kinds of furniture protectors that will be mentioned more in this section including DIY options. 

Their function is all the same, but some are easier to work with and if you want furniture protectors to stay on the furniture, there are more aesthetically pleasing products as well.

What are Carpet Cleaning Foil Tabs?

Carpet cleaning foil tabs are a type of furniture protector that has metal foil on one side and paper on the other. They are used often by professional carpet cleaners. They are very simple products that keep your furniture and carpet nice while the carpet dries.

There are also plastic tabs that work the same way and are sometimes more available for purchase than the foil tabs.

Some plastic options that include felt and foam protectors are widely available. 

What are Jon-Don Foam Blocks?

The company Jon-Don has foam blocks that are made out of high-density polystyrene. Other types of protectors are made out of less dense material, crumble faster, and are messy for your house. Jon-Don says their foam blocks will not break apart as easily. 

These blocks are also precut which aids in reducing crumbling and are easier to use and place under furniture.

There are foam protector pads as well, but they don’t raise the furniture up high enough for the carpet to get good ventilation. 

You might also enjoy our post on If You Can Put Carpet Over Laminate Flooring

Where Do You Buy Furniture Protectors?

You can buy furniture protectors from specialized companies like Jon-Don. You can also find them at large supermarkets and home improvement stores. You can also buy them online at Amazon.com with a few clicks.

In most home improvement stores, furniture protectors will be in the hardware section under furniture hardware.

In supermarkets, this section can be found in the home improvement area and then under hardware. 

Can You DIY Furniture Protectors?

You can DIY furniture protectors because they are made of very simple materials and there are many material types that can be used. However, make sure that whatever you use will not scratch or stain your furniture or floors. 

These protectors can be made of sturdy plastic, wood, foam, and even cardboard.

As long as it’s made of tough enough stuff that the furniture won’t rip through it, then you’re probably good to go. 

What’s the Best Type of Furniture Protector?

Furniture protectors have a simple task, but they are not all created equal. If you use foam blocks, some of them crumble and create a mess. The Jon-Don foam blocks are precut and made of a dense material that protects furniture and floors without a mess. 

Foil tabs are also good and many professional cleaners use this product, but they are not as available and if furniture needs to be lifted off the ground, this product will not help.

When Can I Take off my Furniture Protectors?

If you are using furniture protectors for use on wet carpets then you can remove your furniture protectors after the carpet is completely dry. It is best to wait 24 hours, but carpets should dry between 6 to 12 hours if the water is properly extracted. 

Carpets also dry faster in well-ventilated rooms with low humidity. If humidity is an issue you can turn on the AC or use a dehumidifier.

In the colder months, you can use the heating system which will also remove some of the humidity. 

Why Should I Protect My Furniture from a Wet Carpet?

If you don’t protect your furniture from wet carpet, the water can rust any metal on the legs or near the base. It can also blemish and warp wood furnishings as well as compromise the glue that holds the furniture together. 

It is always best to protect your furniture than risk getting water damage from a wet carpet.

Items that are not waterproof, or coated with a water-resistant coating will likely become damaged. 

Length of Time it Takes for Carpet to Dry

How quickly the carpet dries depends on how well the water was extracted from it, the humidity levels, and the ventilation in the room. 

Can You Walk on a Wet Carpet?

It is best to wait at least 6 hours before the carpet is dry enough to walk on but it’s even better to wait a full 24 hours to ensure it is completely dry. There are some cases where you can walk on cleaned and properly extracted carpet with bare feet just for crossing a room. 

Wet carpet is not good for regular or heavy traffic, but the occasional walk-through on bare feet or clean, socked feet, is ok.

However, you should wait at least 30 minutes before doing so. Pets, children, and shoe traffic on wet carpets are not suggested at any time.  

How Soon Can I Put Furniture on a Shampooed Carpet?

It is best to wait until the carpet is dry before placing the furniture back. After a carpet has been shampooed and the water from the carpet has been extracted it will take 6 to 12 hours to dry completely.

In some cases, shampooed and extracted carpet takes up to 24 hours to dry. It depends on how well the room is ventilated and if the humidity is high or not in the area.

It’s best to keep doors open and sometimes windows to help with ventilation. 

How Long Do You Have to Stay off the Carpet After Cleaning?

If the cleaning process includes it getting wet, make sure the water is properly extracted after cleaning and it is best to stay off of the carpet until it dries. The drying time typically takes 6 to 12 hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. 

This is most important for your furniture because a wet carpet can harm your furniture and also stain your carpets with rust or wood stains from the wet furniture. 

Just like you wouldn’t want to put carpet over laminate flooring, you don’t want to harm your carpet by not staying off of it while it’s still too wet.  

You might also enjoy our post on If You Can Vacuum Wet Carpet

How Long Does it Take for Carpet to Dry?

It typically takes 6 to 12 hours for carpets to dry. Depending on how ventilated the room is and how humid it is in the room will depend on how quickly it will dry. It also depends on how well the water was extracted from the carpet. 

If you are extracting the water yourself rather than hiring a professional, make sure you take your time and extract the water properly because it can make a huge difference in drying time.

If it’s taking longer than 24 hours you might start to have issues with mold.

How to Dry Carpet Faster After Cleaning?

After you are done cleaning and extracting the water from your carpet you can create better ventilation for the room by opening the doors to help drying time. If the humidity is lower outside you can also open the windows to dry the carpet faster.

You can add a dehumidifier to help with humidity. In the warmer months, you can use the AC and in the cooler months, you can use the heating system.

Both systems help with humidity levels in your home. 

Does Cold Air Dry Carpets?

The Carpet and Rug Institute suggests setting the room temperature somewhere from 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is colder, use a heater. Using a heater acts as a dehumidifier as well. 

Opening up windows also aids in ventilation and humidity control.

However, this only works if the outside air is less humid than the inside air and helps the temperature stay within the suggested 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. 

You might also enjoy our post on If You Can Put a Carpet in the Dryer

Related Questions

How Can I Clean My Carpet at Home?

You should vacuum your carpet at least once a week, and two or more times in high trafficked areas and areas with pets. It’s also best to deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months, preferably professionally, but you can deep clean them yourself. 

Any spills that happen and cleaning sooner rather than later and using SOA-certified solutions will aid in stain removal, and extend the life of the carpet. 

If a stain (or multiple stains) has settled into your carpet, another option could be to dye your carpet. 

How Do You Deep Clean a Carpet by Hand?

You can buy or rent carpet cleaners to deep clean your carpet. Consumer Reports is a good go-to on how to choose a carpet cleaner. You should also vacuum the first layer of dirt before using a carpet cleaner, and then the carpet cleaner can get to the embedded dirt.

If your carpet is small enough, not glued down to your floor, and is machine washable you can try washing it in the machine.

Just be careful when you put carpet in the dryer. In some cases, it’s best to let the carpet air dry instead. 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you found this article informative and know exactly how to move forward from here. If you are overwhelmed with all the different choices you have, take a breath.

Imagine, your newly cleaned carpet, and wait 24 hours before putting your furniture back, or simply place your furniture on one of the products suggested in our Pro Tip.