How Do I Get a Mildew Smell Out of a Carpet?
The smell of mildew is all too familiar to most of us. We recognize it in our basements and other musty, poorly ventilated areas of our homes. Even once mildew is removed from a surface, it can leave behind a lingering odor, especially once it is stuck in the carpet. Luckily, the smell can be removed with a few tools, some elbow grease, and careful maintenance and ventilation. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
- Mask
- Hot water extraction unit
- Broom
- Detergent
- Sponge
- Electric carpet cleaner
- Commercial fungicide
- Baking soda
Instructions
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1
Put on protective eyewear, gloves and a mask.
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2
Examine the carpet for moisture. Pull up a flap of the carpet from the installation strips in one corner. If the carpet and the pad beneath the carpet are wet, remove the carpet and pad, and take them to a professional cleaner to be cleaned and deodorized. You can also replace the pad and try to clean the carpet yourself. If just the carpet is wet or moist, or if the carpet seems to be dry, remove the carpet and pad and proceed to Step 2.
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3
Separate the carpet from the padding. Apply a hot water extraction vacuum to the carpet if the carpet is excessively wet but the padding and floor beneath are dry. Remove all of the excess water from the carpet. Do not use a home vacuum unless it is a wet vac. If the carpet is already dry, take it outdoors and brush off excess mildew with a broom.
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4
Wash the carpet with mild detergent and very little water. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and use a detergent appropriate for your carpet. Use an electric shampoo machine if desired.
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5
Place the carpet outdoors in the sun on a clean, flat surface. Place the pile facedown so that excess soil, mildew and moisture will drain as the carpet dries. Direct fans toward the carpet to help it dry more quickly. Use the hot water extraction machine to facilitate the process and get rid of any excess moisture. Do not dry the carpet in the dryer. Turn the carpet over during drying so the base dries. Make sure the carpet has dried completely before taking it back indoors.
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Check the carpet for odors. Spray the carpet with a commercial fungicidal spray to remove any odors that remain. Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet, let it sit overnight and vacuum it up. Reapply baking soda if necessary until any lingering odors are gone.
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7
Check the flooring and padding underneath the carpet's original location. If the flooring is dry, the pad and carpet can be replaced. If the padding has a musty odor, it should be replaced, as the odor will only progress once the carpet is placed atop the pad. Call a professional. Otherwise, replace the carpet in its original location.
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Prevent future mildew formation. Use an air conditioner in the summer or use a dehumidifier in areas that are not air-conditioned, such as basements. Keep air properly circulating by using fans or exhaust fans to remove excess moisture.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit boots on carpet image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
