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It’s the end of the day, and you’re ready to catch up on your favorite shows in the living room. But just as you’re about to put your feet up and relax, you spot a discolored patch on your carpet that wasn’t there before. After searching for answers on the internet, you find out you’ve got a case of mold!
Mold will mostly form in humid places but can also be caused by water leaks or floods in your home. After just a few days, you might be able to spot a couple of green, brown, or white patches on your carpet. You might also notice a musty smell whenever you enter the room.
Luckily, there are ways to properly remove mold from your carpets and keep your home clean and safe!
Why Did My Carpet Grow Mold?
Mold spores might already be floating around in your home; you can’t see them. But once they find a humid or moist area, they can develop into the mold you see on your carpet. Mold can multiply if a carpet is exposed to water. Because most rugs have thick fabric attached to a backing, they can easily trap moisture, making them a breeding ground for mold. If the mold is hidden by furniture, you might not catch it in its early stages, allowing it to spread even further.
Why Should I Worry About Mold?
Having mold in your home may lead to several health issues for you and your family. According to the CDC, having mold inside the house can cause allergies, severe asthma, eye irritation, and skin rashes when touched or breathed in. In addition, the longer you wait to get rid of it, the more it grows. Aside from its health hazards, the musty smell of mold may eventually spread all around your home. Leaving it to develop may also damage your furniture or even the floorboards if the mold has gotten into your carpet.
How Do I Remove Mold From My Carpet?
In severe cases, if your entire carpet is submerged in water or the mold has grown too far, it would be best to throw it out or have professionals take care of it. But if the mold has only grown on a small patch of a carpet or a rug, you can remove it by following these steps.
Step 1: Ventilate
Start by opening the windows to let the mold spores out and fresh air in. If you can, remove the carpet or rug from the room to treat it outside. If that isn’t possible, isolate the mold in the room by keeping the door closed, preventing it from spreading throughout the house.
When it’s time to touch the carpet, consider wearing a facemask, goggles, and rubber boots while in the room and rubber gloves for extra precaution.
Step 2: Examine the Mold
If your carpet is attached to the floor, peel it off first to see if the mold is growing on the backing. If it has, you will need to replace it. If you cannot replace the whole carpet, you can cut out the moldy section with an additional 12-inch border around it. Then replace it with a new patch of carpet.
Step 3: Clean the Carpet
If the mold hasn’t reached the backing, you may then proceed to clean it up. Baking soda has been known to be an effective cleaning agent. You can pour baking soda on the affected area and leave it overnight, allowing it to absorb the moisture and odor.
The following day, pour some distilled white vinegar over the baking soda and moldy area to break it down. You can then use a stiff brush to scrub the mold and the back of the carpet. Afterward, sweep up the mold and throw it into a trash bag. Make sure to tie it up, so no mold gets released back into the air, then dispose of it outside.
Step 4: Use Anti-Fungal Spray
You can also use an anti-fungal spray to slow further mold growth. These can be found in most hardware stores. Remember to get one that says it’s safe for carpets. After scrubbing the carpet, use the anti-fungal spray on the front and back of the affected area, then leave it there for an hour. Soak up the excess fluid with a disposable rag, then leave it again to dry. You can use a dehumidifier or turn the heat up to help dry the carpet.
Try to leave the room for the next 24 hours or at least refrain from stepping on the treated area. While waiting for the spray to dry, you can wash the cleaning tools you used with warm water and soap to ensure no mold spores are left. You may also use the anti-fungal spray on your tools, except for the rag and rubber gloves, which you should dispose of.
Let the carpet dry with the dehumidifier and heat for a few more days. Once the carpet is dry, respray it, following the exact instructions as before. Keep checking on the carpet for the next few weeks to ensure that the mold hasn’t returned.
Step 5: Use a Steam Cleaner
If available, you may also use a steam cleaner to remove mold from your carpet. The heat will effectively kill the mold if you steam the affected areas for at least 12 seconds each. Make sure to let the carpet fully dry after using a steam cleaner.
How Do I Prevent Mold From Growing Back?
- If you have indoor plants, you may unknowingly leak water into the carpet while watering them. To avoid this, place them on a mat that won’t let moisture seep into the carpet.
- If you live in a humid place, investing in a dehumidifier would be an excellent option to keep the humidity levels low.
- Keep your pets from relieving themselves on the carpet.
- Vacuum often or get an air purifier to trap dormant mold spores around the house.
- Check for leaks around your home, from the roof to the basement, to ensure your carpet won’t get wet again.
Wrapping Up
Making sure your carpet is always dry is the most surefire way to avoid mold growth. Keeping your eyes and nose alert will also help you identify if you have a mold problem in your home.
Removing mold from your carpet can be a hassle because you need to act quickly before it spreads. But it is necessary to keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
