For very water damaged carpet, professional steam cleaning may be the best option.

Read the directions of the disinfectant you purchase. Different disinfectants will need to be diluted with different levels of water. You can also make a solution at home using a combination of bleach and water. It depends on the type of bleach you’re using, but half a cup of bleach per gallon of water is usually a safe ratio. [4] X Research source

If you don’t have a dehumidifier, consider renting one, purchasing one, or borrowing one from a friend. They can really speed up the drying process. The same goes for industrial air movers opposed to regular fans.

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to soak up the excess water. You may need to periodically replace your desiccants if your furniture is very wet. Desiccants change color when they become saturated.

If there is built up dirt on the objects, cleaners may advice you to rinse them with water before bringing them in to prevent stains from becoming set.