If you have carpet that suffered mold damage, then you might be thinking that you’ll have to tear out the whole thing and replace it, but that might not be the case. You can get mold out of carpet if you act fast enough and the mold hasn’t spread so egregiously.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting mold out of your carpet.
Reasons why you get mold under carpet
Carpet can be a great design choice, but it does come with some drawbacks. If it becomes damp for too long — maybe because of a leak or a spill that was not cleaned up — mold can grow, and it doesn’t take long for it to spread. You’ll recognize it by its white, green or black color and the musty smell that comes with it.
Mold thrives in dark, damp spaces, so anywhere that has suffered water damage will be likely to grow mold. If you spill water onto carpet when watering plants, that can also cause mold damage. A pet that isn’t yet house trained can also cause mold damage if you’re not thoroughly cleaning up after your pet.
Why mold should be removed
Mold needs to be removed as quickly as possible. When left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, especially if you’re allergic to it.
Mold will also start to eat away at surfaces in your home, such as wood and carpeting. If you don’t take care of it, then you’ll have to replace much more than just a stretch of carpet.
Some molds can also attract bugs and rodents to your home. If you don’t want to have to call an exterminator on top of a mold remover specialist, so treat mold as soon as you see it.
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Best Ways to Remove Mold from Carpet
Step 1: Ventilate the space
Mold spreads by spores released into the air, and those spores can make you sick. Before you treat your carpet, you need to get air flowing through the space to mitigate the amount of spores you inhale.
Open any windows to get air moving. You may also want to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth as well as a pair of goggles and rubber gloves, just in case. If the mold is clinging to a rug, you can pull that outside for even better ventilation.
Step 2: Scrub the mold
Once you identify where the mold infestation is, it’s time to start treating it. First, take a scrub brush and begin to scrub the area where the mold is clinging to your carpet. This will loosen the spores and take off the top layer. Whatever you do, do not vacuum the spores. That will just recycle them back into the air. Instead, brush them into a dustpan and throw them in the trash, which should then be taken out quickly.
Depending on if you own or rent the space, you may not be able to reach all of the mold that is causing the infestation. The mold may underneath the carpet, which you will need to reach in order to treat the infestation completely. If you rent your home, contact your landlord to get the problem treated, and if you own, contact a mold removal service if you don’t want to slice up your carpeting yourself.
Step 3: Spray an anti-fungal
You can find anti-fungal sprays at any big-box or hardware store in your area, but make sure that it is safe to spray on carpets. Once you have one, spray the entire mold section of the carpet plus six inches around it. If you can lift up the carpet and reach the backside and the floor, then spray those as well.
Now you’ve got to let it sit for about an hour. If you notice any excess spray after an hour, blot it with a disposable rag or paper towel. Close the windows to prevent a breeze from blowing spores around, but don’t use a fan to help the space dry any faster. You don’t want to be breathing in a lot of those chemicals either, and you don’t want the remaining spores to spread. Instead, turn up the heat (if appropriate) and turn on a dehumidifier.
While you’re waiting, this is also a good time to clean your scrub brush and dustpan. They too may be covered in mold spores, so spray them both with the anti-fungal spray.
Step 4: Let it dry overnight
Now you’ve got to be patient and let the anti-fungal spray dry completely overnight. This should take about 24 hours, but it could be longer depending on how much mold is on the carpet. Keep all pets and children away from the area while it dries.
Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 as needed
It may take a few rounds of anti-fungal spray to get rid of mold completely. Go back through each step and keep that dehumidifier running. Once the mold is completely gone, then you should be safe to walk onto the carpet.
Small mold infestations in carpet can be treated if caught early, but if the infestation is much bigger, then you may need professional help. At Atlas Lane, we’ve help hundreds of landlords get rid of mold and keep it away.
Contact us today to see how we can help keep your property safe from mold infestations.
