BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Remove Mildew from Carpet

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Flooding, wet basements, high humidity - whatever the reason, living with mildewy rugs and carpets is about as unpleasant as it gets. Here's what to do if your carpeting is musty and moldy.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Liquid Dish Soap
Cleaning Cloths
Ammonia
White Towels

Step1

First, try to remove as much of the mildew as you can with a vacuum cleaner, or by beating area and throw rugs outside with a broom. If you use a vacuum cleaner, throw the vacuum cleaner bag away as soon as you're finished.

Step2

Mix a sudsy solution of 1/2 tsp. liquid hand dishwashing detergent and 1 cup lukewarm water.

Step3

Sponge the detergent solution onto the mildew stain. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes.

Step4

Rinse the area with water and blot dry with a clean, white towel.

Step5

Mix a solution of 2 tbsp. ammonia and 1 cup lukewarm water.

Step6

Blot ammonia solution into the stain with a clean, white towel.

Step7

Blot dry with a white absorbent towel.

Step8

Allow rugs to dry outside in the sun, if possible. Or, dry indoors with an electric heater and fan.

Tips & Warnings

To prevent mildew, make sure the rug or carpet gets as much sunlight as possible: open blinds and windows and keep a fan running in rooms prone to dampness.

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Comments

ecodiscoveries said

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on 6/2/2008 As an alternative solution to pungent ammonia odors, you might want to try MoldZyme to remove mildew from carpets/rugs.

http://www.ecodiscoveries.com/Products/MoldZyme/tabid/189/Default.aspx