How long will it be before our carpet is dry enough to use?

The drying time for carpet after cleaning depends on several factors including the type of carpet, the amount of moisture used during cleaning, the temperature and humidity of the room, and the air circulation. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few hours to 24 hours for low-pile carpets to be surface dry, and high-pile carpets may take even longer. However, "dry enough to use" means fully dry, which might take 12-48 hours or more to prevent mold and mildew growth, and potentially longer in humid conditions. Check the carpet for dampness to the touch—it shouldn't feel cool or damp—before walking on it heavily.

That depends on several factors:

• How wet is the carpet? A small spill will dry much faster than a flooded room.
• The type of carpet: Thick, plush carpets take longer to dry than thin, low-pile carpets.
• The type of underlayment: Some underlayments retain moisture longer than others.
• The ambient temperature and humidity: A warm, dry room will dry a carpet faster than a cool, humid one.
• Air circulation: Good ventilation (fans) significantly speeds up drying time.

With good ventilation and a small spill, it might be dry in a few hours. However, a larger spill or flood could take 12-24 hours or even longer, potentially several days. If it's a major incident, you should consider professional carpet cleaning services to help expedite the drying process and prevent mold growth. You should not walk on the carpet until it is completely dry.