Mold in your home is a danger to your family. It's vital to clean any mold growth from carpets. Read our guide to cleaning mold from carpets and keeping your home safe.
Mold spores are one of those small but potentially harmful things. These microscopic spores are released into the air, multiply and float around unseen until they land on damp spots.
When conditions are right, meaning there’s moisture, oxygen, a food source, and a surface to grow on, then you can find yourself with mold growth.
Carpets, in particular, are high risk and provide ample breeding ground for mold. Particularly vulnerable is basement carpeting, those in moist or damp climates, or carpets that may get wet for any period (think bathmats or bathroom carpeting, playrooms or family rooms prone to spills, etc.) Plus, if there’s been extensive flooring water damage, it’s a matter of time until mold shows up.
Molds produce allergens. To people sensitive to molds and spores, the presence of mold can trigger reactions including:
And even people who are not allergic to mold can experience irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. And if you are unaware that mold is present, long-term exposure can damage your health. Read a toxic mold survivor’s story for a classic example of mold affecting a family.
Certain types of molds can cause severe problems because they produce mycotoxins. These are particularly dangerous because they may not cause immediate symptoms, but exposure could lead to:
As we’ve already mentioned, carpet is prone to mold growth. Once you suspect the presence of mold, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible because mold can multiply very quickly.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard to tell whether your carpet has mold growth because it can grow where it’s not visible - under the carpet, in the padding.
Here’s are some signs to look for:
A musty odor coming from your carpet and the surrounding area can be a sign that there is mold growth. However, you might not notice it yourself if you’re home most of the time. Take note of visitors who may comment on the odor.
If you notice green, white or black patches all over your carpet, or even in one small place, you should take action as soon as possible as this may indicate an advanced stage of mold infestation.
Remember that discoloration may already be happening under the carpet before it becomes apparent on the surface. It’s good practice to regularly check underneath the carpet in areas prone to moisture to catch mold growth before it gets worse.
If you or any members of your household (pets included) experience constant allergy and asthma attacks, there may be mold growth in your home. Do a thorough inspection of walls and floors. Pay special attention to the carpet where growth may be hiding underneath.
Mold can grow very fast in damp conditions. Any floor that has been wet or damp for more than 24 hours will grow mold. Check if your carpet is damp. This may be caused by a leak in the floor underneath.
It is vital to act quickly to dry your carpet if you have a spill, leak, or flooding incident. You can do this yourself or call a water damage restoration company to handle it quickly and expertly.
And, finally, old carpets are prone to mold growth. While you may think it’s normal to have a musty smell on your carpet because of its age, it may be an indication that it may have mold growth and that you need to replace it.
So you’ve got mold growth in your carpet. What do you do?
Because mold anywhere in your home can cause serious health issues, it is crucial to act quickly.
There are several things you can try to clean mold from carpet. If mold growth is confined to just a small patch in your carpet, there are home remedies you can try to control it.
But before tackling the job: safety first. You will need goggles, a mask, and gloves.
With safety gear in place, here are the steps you can take in cleaning mold from carpet:
This is the most basic solution you have in the house to use to clean mold from carpet.
While relatively simple, it is nevertheless effective for mild mold contamination. Mix up one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent with hot tap water and use this with a wet vacuum cleaner or a rug shampoo machine to get rid of mold.
Use a wet vacuum cleaner to remove as much excess water as possible. This is very important as the mold may grow back if the area remains damp.
Mix up a cup of bleach with a bucket of water. You will need to use a spray bottle to apply the solution to your carpet for this method.
Note that bleach will immediately take the color out of most carpets, so this method is only recommended for very light-colored carpets. To be careful, test a tiny area first to see what happens.
Allow it to stay on the carpet for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, you will need to take a wet vacuum cleaner and remove all excess water. Again, remove as much of the water as possible.
Another simple yet effective remedy for cleaning mold from carpet is using a disinfectant (Lysol, Pinesol, etc.) and a hot water solution. Like the bleach method above, use a spray bottle for application, mixing 1 cup of disinfectant into a spray bottle of hot water.
Spray onto the carpet and let the solution work for 25 minutes. Use a wet vacuum cleaner to suck up the mold and contaminants out of the carpet.
Using natural oils such as Tea tree oil or Grapefruit seed oil is a chemical-free method of dealing with mold growth. These oils contain antifungal and antibacterial properties that make them effective in cleaning mold from carpet.
Again using the spray method, mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil or ten drops of grapefruit seed oil into a bottle of hot water. Spray the solution onto the affected area in the carpet and allow it to work for 10 minutes.
Using the recommended methods above, use a wet vacuum cleaner to suck out the excess moisture and mold out of the carpet.
Whatever solution you use to clean mold from the carpet, it is essential to dry thoroughly to avoid mold from growing again. Make sure that the area is adequately ventilated.
You may use a fan over the damp area or open up a window if possible. A dehumidifier is likewise a great solution to speed up the drying time.
Our suggested methods work with mild mold growths, remembering that it is imperative to suck up as much dampness from the carpet afterward to prevent additional mold growth.
You may need professional help to address the problem in more extreme cases. If the mold comes back after trying to clean it, you may need help identifying the source and deeper cleaning and sanitation efforts, as the mold could be deep into the carpet pad below or even on the subfloor or slab.
If you have a considerably severe mold growth problem, an expert mold removal company can help you address the issue before it becomes more problematic.
In Murrieta, Wildomar, and other areas in the Inland Empire, FIVE STAR RESTORATION offers expert mold remediation that addresses your problem quickly and safely. When you call us for service, here is what we do for you:
After mold removal, we ensure that the affected area is thoroughly sanitized and dried to prevent mold from returning.
We work directly with the assigned adjuster to make the process as stress-free for you as possible.
Mold growth in your home can be a serious problem if not addressed properly. Click here to read how to protect your home from mold. If you need help, call FIVE STAR RESTORATION for a quick response.
We offer FREE inspections. Call us today at (951) 368-2227
Tags: cleaning mold from carpet, mold growth in carpets, moldy carpets, carpets with mold, clean carpet mold
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