How to Dry a Solid Rubber Carpet Pad

Rubber carpet pads are are inserted underneath carpets before the carpet is installed. Carpet pads are manufactured in a variety of thicknesses and make the carpet more comfortable to walk on by providing additional cushioning. If a carpet pad gets wet due to flooding. it does not necessarily have to be immediately discarded. Rubber carpet pads can be dried thoroughly to remove the moisture and then reinstalled under carpeting.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Spray nozzle
• Ammonia-based cleaning solution
• Wet-dry shop vacuum

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Instructions

1. Roll up the rubber carpet pad starting at one end of the room and moving toward the other.

2. Move the rolled-up carpet pad to a sunny location outside the house. Unroll the carpet pad until it is fully open and flat on the ground. A location on a sidewalk or patio is preferable so that dirt does not adhere to the carpet pad.

3. Attach a spray nozzle to the garden hose and turn on the water. Thoroughly spray down the entire carpet pad. Flip the carpet pad over and spray down the other side.

4. Open a bottle of ammonia-based or pine-based cleaning solution. Pour half the bottle over the surface of the carpet pad and spread it evenly using a mop. Allow the solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Flip the carpet pad over and apply the remaining half bottle of cleaning solution to the opposite side of the carpet pad. Allow the solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

6. Rinse both sides of the carpet pad thoroughly with the garden hose to remove all traces of the cleaner.

7. Plug in the wet-dry vacuum and turn it to the suction setting. Turn the vacuum on and suck out as much water as possible from the carpet pad.

8. Move the carpet pad to a sunny location and flip it over once per hour to ensure both sides dry.

9. Move the carpet pad back inside when it is thoroughly dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If a carpet pad has been wet for more than 48 hours, do not try to dry it as mildew is already present. Simply discard the carpet pad and purchase a new one.

• Fans help circulate air, but do little to remove moisture.

• Only attempt to dry carpet pads soaked with clean water. Never attempt to salvage carpet pads wet with floodwaters or sewage.

References

• SDSC Cooperative Extension Service: Flood Recovery Answers
• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Water Damaged Carpets and Rugs