How to Get Mold Out of Carpet in 3 Easy Methods

Is your plush carpet infested by mold? If yes, how do you feel about it? Horrible, right? Mold is a notorious fungus that eats into wet surfaces and produces a nasty smell that is detrimental to human health. Mold infestation is bad news for the health of every member of your household.

For those who aren’t aware, mold only grows and develops in areas with high humidity. It can grow in your carpeted floors and house rugs at home. But, the main question here is how to kill mold in carpet.

Removing mold from carpet is an incredibly complex task. Fortunately, today we’re going to offer a step-by-step mold remediation guide. This guide will help you get mold out of your carpeted floors and protect your family members against the effects of mold, such as asthma, allergies and poor immune system.

Notice

There are situations where seeking the assistance of a professional is inevitable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends contracting a mold removal professional if mold has covered a surface area beyond ten square feet⁽¹⁾, or if you want to kill mold in your HVAC system. Hiring a professional is also best if you have respiratory problems to avoid exposing yourself to countless health risks.

How to Remove Mold from Carpet

Start the mold removal process as soon as you discover mold in your carpet. Wear appropriate safety or protective gear (including clothing, gloves, face mask, and a pair of goggles) and move the piece of carpeting outside to your driveway or any other large outside space. Wearing protective gear is paramount because when mold is touched, it releases spores in the that can be detrimental to your health.
Sweep the mold traces with a broom or a stiff brush from the back and front of your carpet. Scrubbing the affected area of the carpet helps to dislodge the mold for ease of removal. Afterward, hose it down with water.
Next, prepare a solution of baking soda and water in a ratio of 1:3. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and apply it to the area affected by mold.
Vacuum the mold infested spot of the carpet, then empty the contents of the vacuum bag into the garbage.
Prepare a mixture of water and dish-washing liquid in a bucket. Pour the soapy solution directly onto the affected area of your carpet, and then scrub it thoroughly with a sponge.
Hose down with water once again. Make sure that all the cleaning solution has been removed.
Leave your carpet to dry naturally in the sun for at least 24 hours. You can leave your carpet to rest outside for 48 hours of continuous sunlight. Doing so gives it a new lease of life. In the event the carpet is immobile, use a dry rag or towel to pat dry the surface.

Please do not use a fan to dry the carpet or rug. If you use a fan, you are likely to scatter the mold spores (which may have remained in the carpet) to other areas where they may still germinate. It is actually best to leave the carpet to dry naturally in the outside sun.

How to Kill Mold in Carpet

Here’s a second DIY approach that also helps you get rid of mold from carpet. Follow the steps below carefully.

First and foremost, grab a steam cleaner and carry out a base cleaning of the carpet. If you have no steam cleaner on standby or simply can’t access it, don’t worry. Scrub the carpet thoroughly with a rag and a mixture of water and dish-washing liquid.
As soon as the initial surface cleanup is over, make a solution of 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of household bleach (such as hypochlorite solution). Apply this mixture directly to the area infested by mold. Leave the solution to soak into the carpet for 15 minutes.
After the 15-minute timer has elapsed, come back again with your steam cleaner and suck up any moisture in the carpet.
Lastly, dry your carpet as much as possible to avoid the recurrence of mold. Use a clean, dry towel to pat the area dry. Make sure that the towel you use has been thoroughly washed, or you could end up spreading the mold spores to other areas.

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How to Prevent the Recurrence of Mold

Even if you’ve killed the mold, it is likely to grow again if you’re going to put back the carpet into its old environment. The following steps will help you prevent the mold from reappearing:

Keep their air conditioner running frequently to minimize the humidity in the room.
Fix all underlying issues causing humidity—for example a leaking water pipe, flooding issues, or a leaking roof. Remove all wet or damp items available in the carpeted room. Remember, mold spores can germinate and multiply in a matter of hours.
Remove houseplants in the carpeted room because they often retain moisture.
Let the sunlight into the carpeted room, because mold thrives in rooms with dark conditions .
Keep the carpeted room ventilated all the time. Use a fan to circulate air in the room or open windows to let in air.
Watch out for any signs of mold development and take immediate action. Such signs include stale smell; a dank; increased signs of allergy; stain on walls etc.

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Wrapping Up!

Getting mold out of carpet shouldn’t be a bother as long as you know what steps to take to eliminate them. These things can be done even without the assistance of a mold removal specialist. So the next time you come across a mold spot, these two DIY steps prove handy when it comes to getting rid of mold in carpet. Follow every step carefully and no more molds will germinate in your home. Above all, keep the house dry after the mold has been removed to avoid their recurrence.

References:

(1):https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home

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