When the carpeting in your residential or commercial property has suffered water damage, it can result in lingering odors. The smell can be an obvious nuisance, but it can also be a sign of a more serious problem.
A Mold or Mildew Issue
The presence of lingering odors from water damage can mean that there is mold or mildew growing in your home or business. The growth of such substances can ruin your carpeting and other materials in addition to causing health problems. Knowing this, you must address any mildew smells right away and have your carpeting checked for mold and mildew growth.
Removing Mold and Mildew Odors
Continue reading for tips on how to remove mildew odors from your carpeting.
Dry the Wet Area
Before you address the mildew smell, you first need to address any water and excess moisture that affects the carpet and other areas. Wipe up any moisture and allow the carpet to dry. Open windows and use electric fans to help dry out the carpet.
When using a fan, make sure it is directed at the carpet to speed up the drying time. If you have a dehumidifier, feel free to use that as well. The dehumidifier will eliminate excess moisture from both the carpet and the air.
Clean the Carpet
Once the carpet is dry, the next thing to focus on is carpet cleaning. Before you do anything about the smell, you want to make sure the carpet is clean.
First, vacuum the carpet to get rid of any dirt, dust, and other debris stuck within its fibers. Then create a cleaning solution made of 2 cups of warm water and 1 cup of vinegar. This solution will be used to absorb the lingering odors. Mix the two together and transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
Spray the solution on to the sections of the carpet with the odor but be gentle with the application. You just need to spray a mist of solution; you do not need to be vigorous with it. In fact, you want to avoid too much solution because over-saturating the carpet can encourage mold growth because of the excess moisture.
Use Baking Soda on the Carpet
Baking soda is another easy remedy you can use to remove mildew odors from carpeting. If you have any children or pets, you do not need to be concerned because it is safe to use with them around. Baking soda is also easy to find and works relatively quickly.
After you spray the carpet with the water and vinegar solution, pour some baking soda on top of the treated areas. The two will mix together, and the baking soda will absorb the odors, thus eliminating it from your carpet.
Make sure you allow the baking soda to sit long enough so it has time to absorb the odor molecules. The baking soda needs time to mix with the vinegar solution and it will be more effective the longer they sit out. Ideally, it should sit overnight. Once enough time has passed, simply vacuum up the baking soda, and the smell will be gone.
Try Alternative Methods
Sometimes, the vinegar solution and baking soda are not enough to combat the lingering mildew smell. In such a case, you should try other methods on your carpet.
A mixture of five parts water and one-part hydrogen peroxide can eliminate the mildew odor while also removing mold spores from your carpet. If you want to use something gentler, try foam carpet shampoo. Use a sponge to scrub the affected areas with the shampoo. Allow it to soak for 20 minutes minimum, and then vacuum up the shampoo.
If the mildew smell remains, then you should consider freshening the air in your property.
Just as baking soda can be used to remove mildew odors from carpeting, it can also be used to eliminate musty odors from the air. To do this, place numerous opened containers of baking soda throughout the affected room and change them on a regular basis.
The same can be done with cat litter (if you don’t have cats) or with bowls of white vinegar.
Seek Help from a Professional
In certain cases, home remedies will not be sufficient at removing the mold or mildew smell from your carpet, but that does not mean that your carpet cannot be salvaged.
If you find that home remedies for carpet cleaning are not working, then get in touch with a professional that provides odor removal services for help. Professional technicians can remove mildew odors from carpeting, as well as odors from other sources, such as mold or smoke, using advanced deodorization methods and techniques. If the odor has also affected the air space, professionals can handle that, as well by deodorizing the air space and conducting air washing.
With professional odor removal help, the mildew smell from your carpet will be thoroughly removed so that your property is comfortable to be in once again.
