No beating about the bush—take immediate action to get rid of any mold in your home to stop it from growing. Mold spores can have a major negative impact on health.
Mold may be removed from hard surfaces like concrete or metal by washing the area with a cleaning solution. However, the removal of mold from your carpet or rug won’t be as simple.
Mold and mold spores can have a size of only three microns. This implies that cleaning will not get rid of the mold spores because the mold finds its way into even the smallest crevices in soft materials like wood or carpeting.
In order to eradicate mold from carpet, specific cleaning methods could be required. There are a few of the several chemicals and cleaning techniques that can be used to remove mold from carpets.
Let’s get started. But first, let’s see…
Why Is Mold Growth On Carpet Such A Big Issue?
The air quality in your home is seriously harmed by mold. Health issues could arise from breathing in mold spores, particularly for those who are mold sensitive.
According to recent research, those who are sensitive to mold may feel irritation of the eyes, heightened symptoms of asthma, and upper respiratory tract symptoms when exposed to mold and mold spores.
A study discovered a link between respiratory symptoms and more severe asthma symptoms when mold was present.
For those who are allergic to mold, mold spores can also cause allergic reactions. Given that kids frequently play on the floor and that just walking on moldy carpet can release airborne spores, carpet mold becomes an especially serious concern.
Additionally, carpet mold leads to non-health-related issues. Mold gives out a musty, mildewy smell that can permeate your entire home.
The surfaces that mold grows on sustain damage as well. If mold gets under a carpet, it could cause damage to the baseboards or the floor.
CARPET CLEANING HACKS AND TIPS AFTER MOLD DAMAGE
Use Baking Soda To Absorb Moisture
This stage will draw moisture in and lessen smells, but for all but the smallest mold infestation, more work will be needed.
After liberally dousing the problem area with baking soda and letting it sit overnight, vacuum it up.
- You might use baby powder without talc in its place. Talc-containing baby powder should be avoided as it can be quite harmful if inhaled.
- Another option for a replacement is cat litter.
Lysol and Water
Mildly infected carpet mold can be readily removed with lysol and hot water using a spray bottle.
Combine one cup of Lysol with the hot water bottle, then mist the affected area. After letting it sit for twenty-five minutes, remove the mold and other impurities from the carpet with a vacuum or shop vac.
Use White Vinegar To Scrub
Though it doesn’t eradicate all types of mold, vinegar is an inexpensive and frequently successful solution.
Apply sparingly using a spray bottle, scrub in with a firm brush, then use white vinegar to prevent stains. To prevent leaving behind moisture that could encourage the growth of mold, blow dry the carpet or let it air dry in a well-ventilated location.
A solution of equal parts methylated spirits and vinegar has been reported to work well by certain individuals.
Grapefruit Seed Oil Plus Tea Tree Oil
Because these extremely potent natural oils contain both antifungal and antibacterial components, they offer a plethora of helpful cleaning advantages.
Fill a spray bottle with a cup of hot water, a teaspoon of tea tree oil, or ten drops of grapefruit seed oil to use the spray bottle approach.
After spraying the spray on the affected area, let it rest for ten minutes before vacuuming or using a shop vac to remove any remaining mold and pollutants from the carpet.
Employ A Specialist
Carpet cleaning professionals may have access to specialized equipment and chemicals, as well as more experience recognizing particular types of molds.
Hire a professional to perform dry ice blasting or another, different treatment if you’ve already attempted steam cleaning.
Mold Removal from Carpet – A Commonly Used Method
This is an additional do-it-yourself method for removing mold from carpets.
- Start by giving the carpet a basic cleaning using a steam cleaner, if at all possible. If you don’t have access to a steam cleaner, you can use a towel and a solution of dish soap and water to scrub the carpet.
- After completing the first surface cleaning, apply immediately to the affected area a mixture of one cup household bleach (hypochlorite solution) and one gallon of water. Give the solution ten to fifteen minutes to seep into the carpet.
- Suck up any leftover moisture from the carpet by using a steam cleaner once more.
- To stop mold from growing, the carpet needs to be dried as much as possible. Dry the area with a towel that has been dried. Make sure you give the towel you use a good wash.
So After Cleaning, What Should You Do?
In warm, humid environments, mold develops and flourishes. Make sure your carpet dries completely after cleaning in order to prevent mold formation in the future.
A fan should be placed over the damp area and adequate ventilation should be ensured. Additionally, a dehumidifier helps hasten the drying process.
Prevention is better than anything.
Take care of any potential moisture and mold sources. To stop mold growth from spreading, damp crawlspaces or subfloors may require professional treatment or anti-moisture polyethylene sheeting.
Inspect closets, vents, and the bottom of upholstery to ensure that any potential sources of mold are identified and removed. Additionally, look under the carpet if at all possible.
The majority of mildewy upholstery can be cleaned in the same way as carpet, but be sure the color is unaffected by testing a corner first.
Lastly, vacuum regularly. While vacuuming is the recommended method, dust and mold spores can be effectively removed from carpets by deep carpet cleaning them. Shark vacuums are usually much more expensive, but they might be more efficient.
