Have you noticed a dank, musty smell coming from your carpet lately? Did you have a leaky pipe or did your home flood recently? You may be dealing with mildew, a type of fungus that grows in damp conditions. Mildew spores can cause some health problems, such as coughing, headache, and sore throat, so you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Fortunately, mildew is only a surface-level fungus, so removing it is easy. Here are a few tips to get rid of any mildew in your carpets.
Dry the area surface
First and foremost, make sure that the carpet is dry. If you’ve only noticed a smell, track it down and see if there are any damp spots. Use absorbent rags, a shop vac, or paper towels to soak up any water and call a professional to fix any active leaks. Once your carpet is dry, you can work on removing the mildew.
Vinegar and baking soda
This is an easy home remedy for removing mildew and odors. Mix one part white vinegar and two parts warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the smelly area of carpet just enough to dampen it but not enough it will stay wet and encourage more mold growth. Add a good amount of baking soda over the vinegar and let it sit overnight or at least for several hours. Vacuum up the baking soda, and you should notice the smell is gone. If not, this procedure can be repeated.
Hydrogen peroxide
If your carpet is very light in color, you might try hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew spores and odors. In this case, use five parts of water for every one part hydrogen peroxide. Spray the carpet until damp and use fans to help it dry faster. Make sure you do a spot test on an inconspicuous area of carpet first since the hydrogen peroxide can bleach the fibers.
Foam shampoo
Foam carpet shampoo is another option is you prefer not to use home remedies. Apply a generous amount of shampoo to the area and rub it in with a sponge. Leave the shampoo to dry (the directions will tell you how long to wait) and vacuum thoroughly.
Call the professionals for mildew removal
If you’d prefer to let someone else handle the problem, call the professionals at Spotless Carpet Cleaners. We offer 24-hour emergency service for leaks and water damage, and we can handle any mildew issues you might have.
Spotless Carpet Cleaners has been serving Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and the surrounding area since 1975. We provide water restoration, ultrasonic cleaning, ceiling cleaning, floor services, and more. If your home or business takes water or smoke damage, we can help! Call us at 423926-9251 or contact us online today.
