Mold. It’s the bane of any carpet owner’s existence. Not only does it look unsightly and smell awful, it’s also dangerous: Breathing in mold spores can wreak havoc on your health! Getting rid of it can prove to be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible.
At Dr. Chem-Dry Carpet & Tile Cleaning, we strongly recommend you give us a call if you’ve got mold growing on your carpet. Here’s a few things you can do to help take control of the situation if mold gets on your carpet.
Related: How To Protect Your Carpet From The Most Awkward Of Pet Messes
Make A Thorough Inspection
Mold is a very hard thing to treat on your own. The truth is, in most cases you’ll want to give us a call to get rid of the mold. The more spread out and deeply ingrained they are in your carpet fibers, the harder it is to remove them through household products. You can have some success eradicating mold on your own if it’s just a small patch.
How do you know when you need to call for help? Check the backing of your carpet. If the mold has reached all the way down to the base of your backing, you’ll want to get professional help. And you’ll want to do it soon: If the mold spreads across a large part of your backing, you’ll have to replace the carpet.
Air It Out
Mold feeds off of moisture and humidity. To help kill the mold spores, you’ll want to reduce the amount of humidity that your carpet is exposed to. Open up all the windows and doors in the room that as the moldy carpet. Air flowing in will reduce the humidity and help lessen the moldy odor. If you don’t have any windows in your room, use a fan and blow it towards a doorway.
If you can remove the carpet from the room, take it out and move it outside. Hang it up and leave it out for 24-48 hours. All that direct sunlight will help kill mold spores and dissipate moisture, which will stunt the mold’s growth. If the carpet is soaked through to the backing, it could take a lot longer to dry.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
After the carpet’s been aired out and thoroughly dried, you’ll want to sprinkle the moldy area with a hefty dose of baking soda. You can also use talc-free baby powder; Do NOT use powder with talc, as that can be harmful if it’s inhaled. Let the baking soda sit on it overnight, then vacuum it up the next day. If the mold is still there, scrub it with white vinegar. You can apply it lightly using a spray bottle. Scrub it up with a soft brush, then give the carpet a blow dry. You’ll want to make sure the carpet’s completely dry when you’re done cleaning it. Any lingering moisture in the carpet fibers could lead to the growth of new mold!
Related: What To Look For In A Professional Carpet Cleaning Service
For more information about how to take care of mold on your carpet, give Dr. Chem-Dry Carpet & Tile Cleaning a call at 602-243-6379.
