Author:
Randy Alexander
Date Of Creation:
4 April 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Moldy patches on the carpet can smell unpleasant, harm catastrophe, and cause people with asthma to wheeze. You need to check under your furniture regularly to detect mold on the carpet surface. If the mold has spread to the underside of the carpet, it will be much more difficult to handle it, but there are some solutions you can try. A professional carpet cleaning service has machinery and support facilities, but some of them can be rented in a tool rental facility for you to handle on your own without having to resort to cleaning services.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Remove mold with household products
Check the carpet. If mold has spread to the bottom of the carpet, it may take a lot of effort to clean. In this case, you should consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. If mold has spread on the back of the carpet, you may need to replace it.
Ventilation in the room. Open all windows and doors in the room with moldy carpet. The circulating air will help reduce the humidity that causes mold to grow, while also helping to remove the musty smell. If you are going to use chemicals for cleaning, a well-ventilated room is also less likely to cause lung and eye irritation.- If there is no window in the room, turn on the fan facing the door.
If possible, expose the carpet to the sun. If you can remove the carpet, take it out and hang it on a sturdy clothes drying rack. 24-48 hours of sun exposure will help kill mold spores and remove moisture, which is a good environment for mold growth.- If the back of the carpet is also wet, the drying time will be much longer. You should be exposed to direct sunlight in a ventilated place for several days.
Moisten with baking soda. This will help absorb moisture and reduce the musty smell, but you'll have to put in extra effort to deal with it, except in the mildest case. Sprinkle a lot of baking soda over the moldy area, leave it overnight, then vacuum it up with a vacuum cleaner.- You can substitute it with talc-free baby powder. Avoid talcum powder, as it can be hazardous if inhaled.
- Cat litter can also be used in place of baking soda.
Brush the carpet with white vinegar. Although vinegar does not kill all molds, it is inexpensive and often also effective. Use vinegar to avoid staining on the carpet. Spray a thin layer of vinegar onto the surface of the carpet and scrub it with a stiff brush. Dry the carpet or dry it in a well ventilated area to remove the accumulated moisture that will cause mold to return.
- Some people report that a mixture of vinegar and methanol in equal proportions works very well.
Method 2 of 3: Remove mold on carpet with commercial and specialized products
Use anti-mold products. Anti-fungus and mold sprays are available at most drug stores and supermarkets. You need to read the instructions on the packaging and make sure the product can be used safely on the carpet. Antifungal products that are specialized in kitchen and bathroom cleaning can cause discoloration or damage.
- Products with the "cover" or "mold-blocking" properties form a transparent protective layer on the carpet fibers to prevent mold from growing. This product is recommended for carpets in humid environments.
- Bleach and water mixture can be used instead of commercial products. Mix half a cup of bleach with 4 liters of water to scrub the carpet. Use a colored laundry detergent and test it first on a corner of the carpet to make sure it doesn't discolor.
Try a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaning products contain deodorants, which help remove musty odors and deal with mold. Use according to the instructions on the packaging, as each product has a different usage.
- Some say that Varnish laundry products are also effective.
Be careful when using products containing chlorine dioxide. Some mold treatment products are chlorine dioxide based, but be aware that this chemical can discolor carpets. You should try first on a small corner of the carpet that is often obscured by furniture according to the instructions on the package. Depending on the product, you may need to use a wet vacuum cleaner to clean after use.
- Work in a ventilated area when using chlorine dioxide products as they can produce a gas that irritates the lungs and eyes. Move to another room if you find yourself starting to breathe rapidly or cough.
Rent a steam vacuum cleaner. You can rent a dedicated steam cleaner to handle the case of persistent mold contamination. The key is to quickly dry the carpet after using this method, otherwise water will collect and allow new mold to grow. Use a dryer or dry the carpet in direct sunlight and use a fan to dry the carpet.
- Do not try to steam carpet without special equipment. The steam or hot water can easily cause a carpet to shrink or damage if used incorrectly.
Hire a professional service. Professional services have more experience in identifying mold types, moreover they have specialized chemicals and machines. If you have tried steam cleaning and it doesn't work, hire a professional to have them clean with dry ice or with another method.
Remove the moldy carpet. In the event that severe mold spreads to the back of the carpet, you may need to determine that replacing the carpet is the least time and money-consuming solution. When cutting the moldy part of the carpet, cut another 30 cm around the mat to ensure all mold is removed.
- When you remove the carpet, you may notice mold on the floor under the rug. In this case, handle it thoroughly before changing the carpet.
Method 3 of 3: Prevent mold on carpet
Deal with sources that can cause mold and moisture. Low spaces or damp floors may require professionally treated or polyethylene-resistant liners to prevent mold growth. Check the vents, wall cabinets and underneath your seats for mold and clean them. If possible, check underneath the carpet as well.
- Most moldy upholstery can be treated like a carpet, but it's a good idea to try it first to make sure it doesn't affect the color of your mattress.
Increase ventilation. The air circulation helps to evaporate moisture, drying wet areas where mold grows. Open windows or turn on fans at least 2 hours a day.
- Open windows early in the morning if possible to dispel any moisture that has accumulated at night.
Use a dehumidifier. If you live in a humid climate or don't have an easy way to ventilate your room, you can purchase a dehumidifier. Use a dehumidifier at night to remove moisture from the air before it soaks into the carpet.
Vacuum regularly. Dust sweeping is also a good way to clean, but dust and mold spores can become trapped in carpet fibers, so vacuuming is a better option. A shark vacuum cleaner can be more efficient but is also often much more expensive.
Leave the lights on. Mold thrives in the dark, and bright light can help keep mold from spreading. You can try leaving the light on for some time during the day, and you can even try using a night light while you sleep.
- Normal fluorescent bulbs can prevent mold, but special UV C bulbs can help detect and kill mold spores.
Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner after removing large mold. After you have removed the large mold spores, you should rent a vacuum cleaner or have a filter to remove the remaining mold spores. Seal vents and close windows before work to minimize the number of mold spores spreading into other areas of your home.
- HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air (high efficiency air filter). This word is used to rank different products, not brand names.
Advice
- When considering a professional carpet cleaning service, you should look for a certified non-profit organization, such as the IICRC.
