Dry time is affected by humidity, temperature and airflow in the area, and it can take anywhere from about half a day to a full day for the carpet to dry completely. Running fans in the rooms we cleaned and turning on your air conditioning or heat, depending on the time of year, helps speed drying. Leave the protective blocks under furniture legs, and any paper used with upholstered items, in place until everything is completely dry, to avoid color transfer. You can walk on your carpet right after cleaning, but avoid street shoes, which can re-soil it, and be careful walking from damp carpet onto bare floors so you do not slip.