How to Remove Mold from Carpets: The Easiest Way to Get Rid of Them at Your Home
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If you have pets that shed, or an indoor humidity problem (or both), you may find yourself with a musty odor and black mold growing on your carpets. Luckily, getting rid of mold is not as hard as it might seem. You don’t need to replace the carpet; you just need to get rid of the mold and its spores. You can do this several different ways, depending on what tools are available to you and how much time you want to spend on maintenance.
What is Causing the Musty Smell in Your Carpets?
The most likely culprit is mold. This black fungus can grow anywhere there is moisture, dirt, and darkness. That means your carpet, upholstery, and other fabric items can grow mold and mildew if you don’t clean them regularly and let them dry out. Mold spores are very easy to inhale, and breathing them in can lead to a number of health problems, including asthma, allergies, headaches, coughing, wheezing, and, in some cases, even pneumonia.
The musty smell is actually a result of the decaying mold, so it’s important to deal with it as quickly as possible. If you have kids or pets who spend a lot of time on the floor, they are likely to inhale some of the spores and suffer some health problems of their own.
Remove the Mold with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a cheap and easy way to wipe out any mold that may be growing on your carpets. It’s also safe to use around people and animals, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful side effects. Baking soda is a mild abrasive. When you mix it with water, it creates a soft, thick paste that is great at scrubbing the mold from your carpet. It is a safe and effective way to tackle the mold on your carpets.
Mix up a Formula to Eradicate the Mold
You can also try mixing up a formula with a heavy concentration of water. If the mold is in patches, you may be able to spray the formula right on top of it and let it sit there to kill the mold. If the mold is spread out, you’ll want to mix up a solution of one part water and two to three parts white vinegar. The vinegar will kill the mold, but it won’t be as effective as a dedicated cleaning product.
Use a Professional-Grade Cleaning Product
If you can’t get rid of the mold using baking soda or vinegar, you’ll need to use a professional-grade cleaning product. There are several products you can choose from, including:
• A liquid cleaning product designed to kill mold and its spores.
• A product that combines cleaning and deodorizing in one.
• A specially formulated cleaner designed to remove the mold and its smell.
Conclusion
Mold is a problem that can quickly spread to other parts of your home if you don’t get rid of it quickly. It can be especially harmful to people with allergies or asthma, and it can also cause damage to your carpet and other items. It’s important to treat it as soon as possible.