How to Clean Mold on a Wool Area Rug

Wool area rugs can range in style from shag to ornate Oriental floor rugs, but all are susceptible to molding when water damage occurs. Wool rugs can be cleaned at home using basic solutions and tools, or they can be taken for professional cleaning when home remedies fail to work. After you have stopped the source of the water damage and cleaned up standing water, the mold removal process can begin.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Ensure that the rug has had time to dry and air out beforehand. Plug in an air conditioner or turn on the central air conditioning in order to aid in the drying process, but keep the heat off as warm air will foster mold. Place the rug on a clean, dry surface and allow it to dry in the sun. Flip the rug over so that the base of the rug is on top, as this will prevent water, dirt or color seepage from leaking to the surface of the carpet. Use a water extraction unit if you have one, but do not use a dry vacuum cleaner. Flip the rug back over once it is dry.

2. Attempt to brush off the mold from the rug's surface using a dry washcloth. Flip the rug over on a clean surface and repeat the process on the base of the rug if visible mold exists there.

3. Wash moldy areas with soapy water. Dilute liquid detergent into warm water and dampen a cloth with the solution. Carefully scrub the the moldy areas with the cloth in an upward sweep, taking care not to grind the mold into the carpet's fibers.

4. Use a TriSodium Phosphate (TSP) or hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner. Apply the cleaner according to the directions, to allow water to get underneath the mold stain and release it from the carpet fibers. Make your own hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution with 98% water and 2% hydrogen peroxide, dampening a soft cloth and gently apply it to the mold stains.

5. Rent an electric shampoo machine at your local grocery store. Purchase specialty solution to use with the machine, making sure to follow your particular machine's instructions for use. Make sure you properly dry the rug after steam cleaning or shampooing.

6. Prepare a lemon juice and salt solution. Create a 10% lemon juice solution mixed in water and add two teaspoons of salt. Dampen a cloth with the mixture and test an unnoticeable portion of the rug for color safety. Clean mold with a cloth dipped in the solution if your rug color is not affected by the solution.

7. Hire a professional rug cleaning surface to clean, deodorize and dry your rug. Expect shrinkage of one to two inches from the cleaning process. Inquire about the professional's rug stretching services, often performed by power stretchers, which can return the rug to its original size.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that your floors have been dried and wiped before placing the clean rug on top of it, to prevent further water damage. Certain fungicides can be sprayed onto wool rugs to prevent future molding.
• Do not attempt to use baking soda to clean colored rugs, as it tends to lighten rug color. Never use ether-based cleaners, as they are generally dangerous to respiratory systems and wool rugs alike. Do not use bleach solutions as they will affect the color of your wool area rug.