Mold in your home is typically caused by excessive moisture in your house. When it comes to identifying the initial signs of a moldy carpet, it can be hard to spot since the fibers are hiding, and its pores can leak into the air, causing you to breathe it. However, in this article, we’ll talk about how to clean or replace moldy carpet along with removing mold from carpeting. Professional carpet cleaning may sometimes be required.
How to Spot Mold
If you want to know how to clean moldy carpet, you first need to know how to spot it. If your home is prone to getting humid or if you have liquid soaking through your carpets, then you may have mold. One indicator of knowing when to clean or replace moldy carpet is when you notice a musty smell or stains. This may be a sign of mold seeping into walls around your carpet.
Molds vary in their level of danger. Black molds are very harmful to a person’s health and require a professional to help extinguish them. However, there are much less dangerous molds, such as aspergillus. These do not cause irritation or illness unless the person has a compromised immune system.
Here are a few indicators that you need to look out for when trying to spot mold:
● Mold that begins to show on the ceiling corners
● A musty smell coming from the carpet
● Carpet that feels damp
● Blistering or peeling paint
● Water stains located on down walls or the ceiling
● Condensation caused by high humidity from your windows
● Water dripping coming from your wall
Is Mold Dangerous?
You also need to know which types of molds are dangerous, so you can avoid trying to handle it yourself if it’s not safe. Some can be quite hazardous. However, different people will act differently to mold. Here are a few dangerous types of mold to look out for:
Allergenic Molds: This type of mold can cause trouble for individuals who struggle with respiratory issues. As a result, exposure can lead to respiratory distress and mild nasal problems.
Pathogenic Molds: This can be quite dangerous and may lead to respiratory infections.
Toxic Molds: These types of mold will require immediate attention and can produce poisonous and dangerous chemicals. The effects of this type of mycotoxin exposure can be caused simply by inhaling or touching this type of mold. You’ll be required to have a mold removal team to eliminate this type of mold as soon as possible safely.
How to Remove Mold From Carpets
If you want to clean or replace moldy carpet by yourself, it’s best to follow the steps below.
Preparing for Removing Mold Out of Carpet
Since some molds are hazardous and can cause irritation to your lungs and eyes, it’s best to have safety equipment such as rubber gloves, respirator, and goggles. Also, it’s ideal for wearing clothes that you don’t care about.
Eliminate Moisture
Before you even clean a moldy carpet, you must first eliminate the source of the moisture which can be a spill, flooding, or a leak. Use materials such as baking soda, baby powder, or cat litter to soak up the liquid on your carpet. Let the spot air-dry overnight and then vacuum the spot in the morning. Sometimes, this will be enough to prevent mold from occurring. Many mold colonies will die simply by eliminating the moisture and drying the moist spot.
In-Depth Removal
You may also peel off a portion of the carpet that you suspect may have mold. Sometimes the mold has gone too deep, and you won’t be able to do it yourself. In that case, rug cleaning services may be required.
How to Kill Mold In Carpet
You can kill mold by using a carpet cleaner since it’s used as a base cleaner. Once that is completed, follow these steps.
White Vinegar
Apply white vinegar to your carpet spot and it won’t dilute the solution or your carpet.
Bleach
You can apply bleach diluted with water to remove mold. However, it will bleach out the area causing bald spots.
How to Kill Mold In Carpet Using Bleach or Vinegar
● Spray a layer across the moldy carpet spot with your cleaning solution and let it stand for an hour.
● Wear your respirator and give your carpet a good scrub.
● Next air-dry your carpet. You can blow-dry it or hang the carpet outside where you have access to sunlight.
● Kill mold by using both the cleaning solution and sunlight.
Antifungal Sprays
We advise against antifungal sprays since they can be dangerous and potent for your carpet. A professional can provide better recommendations if you’re looking for a strong solution.
HEPA Vacuums
You don’t just want to use a traditional vacuum. Instead, use a HEPA vacuum to prevent the mold from dispersing in the air. It also sucks sup the spores of the mold.
What If There Is Too Much Mold?
If there is too much mold, you shouldn’t handle it all by yourself. If there’s anything mold the size of a ten-square-foot patch, you need to contact a professional. Also, get some help if the mold has seeped past the carpet and onto the floorboards, insulation, or padding.
Always find professionals who are experts that have experience in getting rid of many types of mold. At this point, you’ll need to remove the carpet and replace it with a fresh, clean carpet. Excess water damage under your carpet will lead to structural damage for your home. Therefore it needs to be handled immediately.
Tips to Prevent Mold
When you have finished eliminating the home from your house, make sure to lower the humidity level to under 50 percent. There are many ways to do so such as having a bathroom fan in your shower, or incorporating a dehumidifier. If you reside in a tropical or swampy environment, then you can keep moisture out by closing your windows. If your carpets suffer from water damage, you can usually hire a company to help you solve this.
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