How to Kill the Mildew in Carpet
Mildew can form on carpet for a variety of reasons. Dank rooms, like basements and bathrooms, can develop mildew on the carpet over the years without your even noticing. Even if your roof sprung a leak while you were on vacation and water is all over your carpet, it does not necessarily mean your carpet is ruined. Take steps to remove mildew from your carpet before pronouncing your carpet kaput. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hot water extraction vacuum
- Electric carpet shampooing machine
- Carpet shampoo
- Sponge
- Damp cloth
- Electric fan
Instructions
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1
Lift up a corner of the carpet if the area is waterlogged. The carpet may become waterlogged due to flooding, a washer unit overflowing or a leak in the ceiling dripping onto the carpet. If the pad underneath the carpet is soaked, you may have to replace part or all of the carpet. If the pad is dry, continue to take steps to remove the mildew.
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2
Remove any excess water from the carpet with a hot water extraction vacuum, which is a specialty item available for rent at many hardware stores and carpet cleaning facilities. This will ensure the carpet will not continue to grow mildew after the cleaning process is complete.
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3
Rent an electric carpet shampooing machine from your local hardware store or carpet cleaning store for large jobs. If mildew is covering the majority of the carpet, the amount of time the machine will save you is well worth the money you will spend.
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Lather the carpet with a thick carpet cleaning shampoo and a sponge for smaller jobs. If the mildew occurs only on a small area of the carpet, saturate the area in a thick lathering carpet shampoo, which you can purchase at your local hardware or home warehouse store.
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Rub the rug down with a clean, damp cloth. The cloth should not be so damp that it leaves the carpet wet to the touch. Turn an electric fan on, and blow it directly at the wet area overnight to allow the carpet to dry completely.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a dehumidifier in a dank room to prevent the carpet from mildewing again.
Open all windows while using carpet shampoo or a carpet shampooing machine.
