A quick way to apply EPA’s flood and mold guidance to a wet carpet or rug: what soaked it, how long it has been wet, and whether mold has started.
General guidance only, based on EPA’s published advice. It cannot see your carpet: if anyone in the home has asthma, allergies or a weakened immune system, or the water came from sewage, bring in a professional.
Where the answers come from
The 24-to-48-hour window is EPA's: if wet or damp materials are dried 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow. EPA's flood fact sheet adds that materials that got wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours should be thrown away.
Flood water is treated differently because it can be mixed with sewage, dirt and other substances. EPA says to throw away materials that soak up a lot of water, such as carpets, after a flood, and to wear at least an N-95 respirator, goggles and gloves during cleanup.
For mold, EPA's guide says that in most cases you can handle an area smaller than about 10 square feet yourself; larger areas, a lot of water damage, or damage from sewage or other contaminated water call for its professional guidance or a professional with that experience. Porous materials such as carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
For expensive or sentimental items, EPA suggests consulting a specialist, including carpet and rug cleaning and water damage specialists. More in Water Damage and Mold in Carpet: The 24-to-48-Hour Rule and What to Do After a Leak and Carpet After a Flood in Nashville: What to Save, What to Throw Away and How to Stay Safe.