DIY methods to remove carpet mildew fast

Have you ever walked into a room, and noticed that undeniable, musty, stale smell of mildew? You hunt around, following your nose, and the odor eventually leads you to your carpet. If you’re lucky (some luck, eh?), the mildew is visible. But the infestation may just as easily be below surface, on the carpet padding.

In this article, you’ll learn two easy ways to get mildew smell out of carpet.

Friends, health, and wealth – three reasons you must get rid of that mildew smell

Once you’ve detected the smell of mildew and identified your carpet as the culprit, you’ll want to get that mildew smell out of your carpet fast. There’s that odor, for a start. That’s only going to get worse if left, and when the smell gets worse, it means your mildew problem is spreading like wildfire. If your home smells of mildew, you’ll soon find that your friends stop visiting.

You see, not only is the smell unpleasant, your friends understand the health hazard. Mildew contains allergens, and these can cause health issues with breathing, skin, and eyes. No matter how popular you are, your pals won’t thank you for making them sick.

Finally, if you leave mildew-infested carpet uncared for, it’s going to get very expensive. You’ll need a new caret, and the infestation could soon spread to other soft furnishings, furniture, drapes, and even start attacking floorboards.

What causes mildew?

The causes of mildew are very similar to the causes of mold. Dampness is the key initiator. Mildew spores thrive in damp conditions. That’s why it’s so important to mop up any liquid spills, and ensure the affected patch is completely dried.

Humidity is also a component of mildew growth. Humidity provides two of the essential life ingredients for mildew: warmth and moisture. The third is oxygen. Put these together, and you have the perfect environment for a thriving mildew or mold infestation. Just like we described in our article “What To Do If You Find Mold in Your Basement”.

How to get mildew smell out of your carpet for good

There are two ways that most carpet mildew problems can be eliminated. Here are the steps to take:

1. The first thing to do with both methods is to thoroughly dry the carpet. Open windows and let natural air circulation do this job for you, or use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air.
2. With the carpet dry, it’s time to vacuum the affected area. This will remove some mildew spores, dust, and dirt, before you get to work to obliterate the mildew.

Now, depending on which method you are using, continue as follows:

Mildew method 1: Vinegar

1. Mix a solution of warm water and vinegar – two parts of water to one part of vinegar
2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, and apply to the carpet
3. Pour baking soda onto the sprayed area
4. Allow to fizz and dry
5. Vacuum

Mildew method 2: Carpet shampoo

1. Use a foam carpet shampoo, available at most local drug stores
2. Apply in liberal amounts to the affected area of your carpet, following the manufacturer’s instructions
3. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes
4. Vacuum

What if the smell just won’t go away?

In most cases, the above methods will get rid of the mildew from your caret, and remove that smell. But if the odor persists or returns, you may need a little professional help. Remember, the sooner you act, the less expensive your problem will be. If you have a mold or mildew problem affecting your carpets, contact Porter’s Cleaning.

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