How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning?

Most residential carpet is dry to walk on within 4–6 hours and fully dry within 24 hours, faster with airflow. Actual dry time depends on the room temperature, humidity, and the amount of ventilation you can provide. Turn on ceiling fans and open a window where possible; skip drapes touching the floor until the carpet is dry to the touch. Foot traffic in wet-adjacent socks or bare feet is fine after four hours in most rooms.