How Do You Know If Your Carpet Is Moldy
Not everyone spots molds at a single glance. This is why you have to learn how to distinguish between a simple stain or a tiny stretch of mold when trying to clean water damaged mold. There are different tests you can apply before diving into mold remediation.
One of which is inspecting the smell of the carpet. If it gives a musty and earthy smell like a decaying plant, this is a clear sign for mold growth.
Another factor to watch out for is the appearance. Molds appear in circular patterns and usually come in dark colors.
However, heres a warning: do not get anywhere near the soaked carpet without safety gears such as gloves and goggles. Molds may be tiny but a certain amount and type of them can be toxic to ones health.
Is Carpet Mold Dangerous
Mold is a natural fungus that can grow indoors and outdoors. But it can be dangerous for your health when inside.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of effects on your health or none. Some people wont be affected, whereas others can experience severe reactions. People with mold-allergies or compromised immune systems can even develop internal infections.
A 2004 study by the Institute of Medicine, showed that there was sufficient evidence linking mold to respiratory tract symptoms. This included coughing and wheezing in otherwise healthy people. It also showed an increase in asthma attacks in individuals already with asthma .
Carpet mold is especially dangerous because were exposed to it frequently. If the affected carpet is in the living room or bedroom, our health is at an even greater risk especially from chemical reactions in mold cells .
Hire A Professional Carpet Cleaner
Unfortunately, when it comes to killing mold and mildew in carpet, doing it yourself is usually not the best solution. As mold spores spread easily, it can be very difficult to completely get rid of mold and mildew from carpet. That is why many homeowners turn to professional carpet cleaning companies to eliminate tough mold and mildew from their carpeting. Professional carpet cleaners have the knowledge, products, and equipment needed to properly and safely kill mold and mildew in carpet without causing damage to delicate carpet fibers or the underlying floor. Professional carpeting cleaning is also essential to make your carpet sanitized following a mold or mildew infestation.
Also Check: How Do You Clean Mold Off Of Leather
How To Get Rid Of Carpet Mold Using Vinegar
Getting rid of mold with vinegar is incredibly simple. However, to get rid of long-term, you need to first fix your moisture problem thats causing the fungal growth in the first place. If you dont solve the moisture issue, then it will come back right after you clean it.
To reduce moisture, you can try:
- Open your windows to let fresh air inside and improve your homes ventilation
- Dry up wet areas right away
- Keep your homes humidity levels healthy
Once you solve the moisture problem, now youre ready to use vinegar to get rid of mold in your carpet.
How To Dry Wet Carpet
There are numerous ways how to dry wet carpet. We will discuss a couple of those methods below.
Blotting the carpet dry for small areas of wet carpet, for example caused by someone spilling a glass of water the best way to dry it up and help prevent mold or mildew growth is blotting it dry with a towel. Be sure not to use a towel that has not been washed before because it could transfer coloring to the carpet. By blotting the carpet dry you will help soak up the excess moisture and allow the carpet to air dry. To assist with the drying process you can open windows or move a dehumidifier into the room.Carpet Blowers You can rent for a reasonable fee a carpet blower, which really is simply a high powered fan that is angled to the ground. This creates air circulation that helps effectively dry the carpet.Wet/Dry Vacs A wet dry vac can be used to help extract water from the carpeting if you catch it early enough. On a similar note you can also use a carpet cleaner that usually has a water extraction feature. Both methods are effective for carpet water removal.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold Off Plastic Cutting Board
Baking Soda And Vinegar
A mixture of these two is not only proven to clean a moldy carpet but also delay the spread of mold. You can use these two by applying vinegar to the affected area and let it sit for about an hour.
When the timers done, rinse vinegar off of the carpet with hot water. Afterwards, create a thick paste of baking soda by mixing it with warm water. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it for another hour.
To remove the paste from the carpet, use a brush or shop vac to make sure there is no paste left. This mixture can also be used to remove the harmful odor of mold contamination.
Why Is Carpet Mold A Serious Problem
Mold in your house has a serious negative effect on air quality. Inhaling mold spores could lead to health problems, especially in people who are sensitive to mold. The Centers for Disease Control found that people with mold sensitivity can experience upper respiratory symptoms, increased asthma symptoms and eye irritation when exposed to mold and mold spores. The World Health Organization examined multiple studies and found a correlation between the presence of mold and respiratory symptoms, as well as more severe asthma symptoms. Mold spores can also trigger allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies. This makes carpet mold especially problematic since children often play on the floor, and simply walking on moldy carpet can send spores into the air.
Mold also causes problems not directly related to health. The musty mildew odor associated with mold can spread throughout your entire house. Mold also causes damage to the surfaces it grows on. Mold trapped under a carpet could end up damaging the floor or baseboards.
Recommended Reading: Removing Mold From Ceiling In Bathroom
Get Musty Smell Out Of The Carpet
Once you completely get mold out of carpet, the odor will eventually subside. But if you want to get mildew smell out of carpet quickly, there are several ways to do so. One is to treat the area once again with a cleaning solution. Vinegar is a good choice because it naturally eliminates the musty smell. Do not oversaturate the area and make sure to dry it completely to prevent the reoccurrence of mold. Another approach is to use a carpet odor remover which you can buy from your local hardware.
You can also pour baking soda on the treated area and leave it there, preferably overnight. Baking soda absorbs moisture really well, as well as the musty smell. You can also use
Get Mildew Out Of A Carpet Using Detergent
The tools that youre going to need for this method are hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, a little cup, teaspoon, any little brush, some towels, laundry detergent, wet and dry vacuum, and water. Whenever you have a constant source of hidden moisture in carpet fibers, youre going to have stains that will develop, and we normally call those mildew stains. If the carpet had a chance to dry out, then you wouldnt have that problem, but because that water is being held, concealed under an object like a plant, thats where the problem starts.
You cant start doing any stain treatment until the area has been cleaned. How do you do that? The easiest way is for you to use a little bit of laundry detergent. You mix it in a little cup with a little bit of water. And youre going to apply it to the section, and youre going to work it in, and then youre going to extract it. However, the first thing you do before you clean the carpet is you have to extract with a wet and dry vacuum, and if you dont have one, its a great tool to have. Ideally, you have a small carpet cleaning spotting machine, but a wet and dry vacuum will do. And you pick up as much as the residue as you can before you start cleaning.
Now that the area has been cleaned and is somewhat dry, it doesnt necessarily need to be fully dry. You have to try to remove the stain, and youre going to use for that hydrogen peroxide.
Recommended Reading: Bathroom Mold Ceiling
Use Homemade Mildew Cleaner
I know some people dont like using cleaning products with chemicals that may destroy their carpet in the long run. Fortunately, there are ways you can make your own natural mold and mildew cleaner!
All you need to do is to mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the molded areas and use a brush or sponge to scrub the mold and mildew off. If the mold and mildew are tougher, then use a stiff brush or scrub brush.
Afterward, allow the area to air dry, preferably under the sun. Your carpet will be free from molds after this, just make sure to do this at least once a month or when you find any mold around the carpet.
Do you want to learn more about how to remove mold from the boat carpet and clean it efficiently? Check out this video on how to clean your fishing boat and carpet:
How To Remove Black Mold From Carpet
Before starting the removal of the mold and disinfecting of the area, youll want to use safety gear to protect yourself. It is important to wear a medium or high-efficiency filter dust mask to reduce the possibility of inhaling mildew spores. The clothing worn during a clean-up should cover your entire body and be easily removable and cleaned. It is recommended that rubber gloves and goggles be worn during mold removal. Please dispose of these items after using them in a fungus infested area.Step 1: Begin by slightly dampening the affected area. This will make it more difficult for the mildew spores to travel to other places during the removal process.
Step 2: If removing mold from under the carpet, lift up the carpet to examine the padding and flooring below. If the padding is moldy, discard and replace it. Using a stiff scrubbing brush, apply a soap and water mixture to the area. Scrub the area thoroughly until all of the residue from the mold is removed. You will want to clean the flooring below the carpet in the same manner, scrubbing it with the soapy water mixture.
Step 3: Next, using a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part household bleach, disinfect the mold-affected area. Household bleach is fungicidal, which means that it will kill the mould. After disinfection, rinse the affected area thoroughly with hot water.
Read Also: How To Stop Mold In Bathroom Ceiling
How To Remove Mold From Boat Carpet: Clean Your Equipment Well
Not a lot of anglers focus on their boat carpet when cleaning out their equipment. But this is just as important to maintain if you want a clean and great-looking boat as you fish for hours on end. Unfortunately, the carpet is more susceptible to mold and mildew, being exposed to weather and saltwater.
So how can you remove the mold for your next fishing trip? Read on as I show you tips and steps to follow on how to remove mold from boat carpet efficiently.
Contents
Does Vinegar Kill Mold
Vinegar is mildly acidic just acidic enough, in fact, to kill mold spores and smaller mold colonies. Distilled white vinegar is best for the task, as its able to kill over 80% of known mold types and may even help prevent future outbreaks. However, vinegar isnt necessarily ideal for huge jobs or larger mold colonies, so its important to know when to get help from a professional. If your mold or mildew outbreak covers more than 20 square feet of surface area or has begun to rot away the surface its growing on, call your local mold remediation companies.
Also Check: How To Remove Mold Stains From Canvas
What Kills Mold In Carpet
There are a number of different mold-killing agents that people use around the house including the more toxic bleach and ammonia as well as the less toxic baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.
To remove mold from carpet, use either a store bought mixture intended for carpet mold or make your own mold-killer using one of the following ingredients.
Do not mix these active ingredients together unless otherwise specified. Mixtures can become highly toxic and dangerous, so always know what you are dealing with and read the instructions very carefully.
All this is to say that knowing how to clean mold from carpet is mostly about knowing exactly how different cleaning agents affect mold and then deciding which kind of results you will need.
As with anything involving chemicals, know what you are working with before making decisions. Do not use solutions or mixtures that you have not been recommended to kill mold.
Do your research, properly identify the type of mold you are dealing with, and use a recommended chemical or cleaner.
In This Manner What Causes Black Carpet Stains
What color is the carpet stain. Black stains may be from soot sources, fireplaces, scented candles, or dirt from foot traffic, or from mold on spots where water or food were spilled. Brown or black stains may be from pet urine or from mold on spots where water or food were spilled.
10 Toughest Carpet Stains
- Removing Coffee Stains from Carpet. …
- Removing Kool-Aid Stains from Carpet. …
- Removing Blood Stains from Carpet. …
- Removing Ink Stains from Carpet. …
- Alcoholic beverages, colas, food dyes, berries, jelly, milk, ice cream, gravy, washable ink, wet, or latex paint. …
- Pet Stains from Carpet. …
Maybe You Like:
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Basement
Cleaning Mold In Carpets During Mold Remediation
If a mold problem is present in a home where the mold spores have become aerosolized in an area where carpet is present, the cleaning of the carpet should be part of the mold remediation process even if it were not water damaged.
Carpet can act as a reservoir for particles such as fungal growth to settle in.
Even though you do not visibly see the mold because the spores can be microscopic, it can still be present within the carpet. Normal everyday vacuum cleaners will not be able to remove mold particles in a carpet because of the size of it.
Mold remediation professionals use a special kind of HEPA vacuum that can help remove mold spores and fragments, but even that can be unreliable in removing all the mold.
When To Call A Professional To Remove Mold From The Carpet
If you have tried the ideas above and cannot get rid of the mold, it may be time to call a professional. Also, if the area is bigger than 10 square feet or you have health issues, call a professional to diagnose the problem. Often the water may be coming from somewhere inside the walls and a professional can do a thermal imaging inspectionand find the source of the water intrusion.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold On Bathroom Ceiling
Add Borax To Kill Harmful Molds
Many detergents use Borax to increase the freshness of laundry and reduce the buildup of mildew in clothing. Its high pH levels are what kills mold in carpet fast, making it an effective solution to counteract water damage and even the toughest mold spore. The following recipe uses Borax and white vinegar, which is also an excellent way to kill black mold.
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- 4 cups of water
Mix the ingredients in a bucket. Soak a soft towel and dampen the moldy carpet with the cleaning product. Leave the solution for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Dry the carpet thoroughly to prevent the wet carpet from causing additional mold growths or water damage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold Remediation
Mold growth caused by lack of proper maintenance or an aging home is generally not covered by homeowners insurance. You should be aware that issues caused by improper home maintenance arent usually covered, either. So be sure to review your homeowners policy if you think you might be covered for a mold-related event.
Keeping mold out of your carpets is an active process that involves vigilance and regular home maintenance. Now that you have the tools and know-how to stop mold growth in its tracks, you can continue protecting your home and everything in it.
If youre unsure whether or not a covered event that caused water damage will also cover mold removal, speak with your American Family Insurance agent.
Also Check: Best Way To Clean Mold Off Ceiling
How To Remove Mold From Carpet With Vinegar
Unpleasant and stubborn, mold and mildew are some of the most common household problems across the country. If youre a homeowner or renter, chances are youve dealt with these fungal issues at some point or another. Theres a lot of debate on what products work best against mold, whether natural or chemical cleaners are more effective and what methods work best for removing these pesky infestations.
One of the most commonly debated mold solutions is vinegar. If youre considering vinegar as your preferred cleaning method to deal with a mold infestation, this handy guide can teach you everything you need to know.
