Best way to dry out my floor carpeting?

[ganchan]

Looks like a little rain got into my car while I was asleep. (2nd row windows were halfway down during what I guess was a brief shower.) Not a disaster, but some of my floor carpeting is somewhat damp. What's the best to dry the carpet before mold and mildew can set in? I'm at a truck stop at the moment, but I don't see any products here that might do the trick.... Some sort of desiccant that I can find at Walmart or Home Depot, maybe?

 

[Moxadox]

First, blot as much water up as you can. Go into Walmart and buy a package of cloth baby diapers. They're great for absorbing liquids! And that way you can soak up the water and wring it out, outside. Otherwise you will use mountains of paper towels and then have to dispose of them.

Once you have most of the water removed, open all the doors and let the air remove the rest. You can also take it to a car wash and use the powerful vacuum cleaners to suck up any remaining dampness.

Good luck!

The Dire Wolfess

 

[RowanFae]

I apologize in advance, as my response isn't going to be as helpful as other advice you will receive here.

Airflow (open all your doors), evaporation (sunny day, heat, airflow).

I'm honestly not being flippant. That's just all I have

 

[John61CT]

After as much as possible soaked up.

Any old cheap but powerful heater from a thrift shop running off mains, ideally a blower style, 1500W hairdryer in a pinch

Careful you don't start a fire.

Or a nice string of hot dry days.

A buddy at an idle paint shop might let you use the baking room but not likely eh

 

[Weight]

I use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the water. Then what RowanFae said.

 

[IndieRose77]

This is what I did when my rugs got wet in my Camry.
1. Got as much of the water out as possible. Tip with the cloth baby diaper is good.
2. Air out the car if you can on a hot sunny day.
3. Damp rid is your best friend. You can get it at Wal-Mart, Home Depot and even Dollar tree or Dollar stores. Helps with any residual moisture and is also handy if you are in a humid climate. I just used the pouches I got from Dollar Tree. You don't have to spread any thing out just place where wet. It's always a good idea to have some with you just in case.

Hope this helps.

 

[SheepDog]

If you have access to a dehumidifier and fans that works well! Your AC will lower the humidity as well and parking in the sun with the windows down would help as well!

I’d likely do combinations of all of the above for the next week or so!

SD

 

[John61CT]

Quicker the better you don't want mold to get a hold

 

[tx2sturgis]

Post deleted.

 

[MrNoodly]

Otherwise you will use mountains of paper towels and then have to dispose of them.

Instead, you have soggy diapers you need to do something with. Hang them out to dry? Dry them at a laundromat? Okay, then you have diapers taking up space.

 

[MrNoodly]

What climate are you in, ganchan? If it's arid and warm enough, blot up the water the best you can then open things up and position your rig so the sun shines on the damp spot. If you're not in a dry climate, you could go to a do-it-yourself car wash and thoroughly vacuum the wet area. Then you could drive around with the air conditioning set on Max AC or recirculate, which shuts off outside air so you're not sucking in additional humid air. AC dehumidifies, which dries things out.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I deleted my post when I noticed this request for guidance was posted 2 days ago. It's either dry by now, or a moldy, soggy, rusty mess.

:dodgy:

 

[MrNoodly]

I deleted my post when I noticed this request for guidance was posted 2 days ago....

But the info could help someone in the future.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Good point.

 

[Ticklebellly]

Already wet so a good dose of white vinegar then use a wet and dry vacuum to remove as much moisture as possible. Lift the carpet if possible and then use a hair dryer on low to create a drying airflow, is my suggestion. The white vinegar will kill any mould spores responsible for the musty smell in such conditions.