Mildew is a nasty thing to have to deal with. Not only is it an unsightly problem to have, but it also leaves behind a nasty smell that is borderline intolerable. One of the worst places for this problem to occur is on your carpet. If you have a carpet that has taken on that nasty mildew smell, here is what you need to know to get rid of it.
Importance of Addressing the Issue
Mildew may not sound like a big deal at first. Sure, it smells bad and looks terrible, but it can't be a major problem, right? That line of thinking is wrong. Mildew is a bacteria, which is a corrosive, dangerous substance if left unchecked. While it is true that most molds are not harmful to humans, the kind that can get into your carpet can still leave you with serious problems.
First of all, you must think of mildew as a precursor to worse mold types to come. Second of all, mildew spreads by sending spores out into the air. If you are walking on a carpet afflicted with the mildew smell, then there is a strong chance you are kicking up mold spores and inhaling them. This can make you sick. You must understand that mildew is no joke, yet distinctly different from mold, and should be addressed immediately. Even though.
Understanding the Causes of Mildew Smell in Carpets
If you will get rid of the mildew smell in your carpet, then you need to understand where the smell comes from. Finding the source of the smell will help you get rid of the smell.
Moisture and Humidity
Mildew thrives with three things working together: moisture, humidity, and nutrients. Because your carpet is relatively absorbent, whenever you walk in from outside, especially when the weather is rainy, the carpet will absorb any moisture you bring in. Mildew thrives on moisture and nutrients, which a wet carpet and padding supplies.
Lack of ventilation
If there is one thing that can actively prevent mold growth, it would be proper ventilation. This is because proper ventilation does not allow for mildew growth. When an area is adequately ventilated, there is a dryness to the environment that mildew cannot survive in.
Water damage or leaks
If your carpet rests above the plumbing, or if there is a leak from the ceiling or a wall in a room with plumbing, that will supply all the moisture that mildew needs to grow and thrive. Leaks are the number one cause of water damage in the United States.
Steps to Remove Mildew Smell in Carpets
Vacuuming the carpet
One of the first things you can do is vacuum your carpet. This will get any further particulates that mildew could use for nutrients off of the carpet.
Applying baking soda to neutralize odor
After you have vacuumed, you want to apply it to your carpet. This will neutralize the odor in the carpet. You do not want to think your job is done once you add the baking soda. This step merely makes the area odor-free while you finish the clean-up job.
Using vinegar to clean and deodorize the carpet
A mixture of white vinegar with water (at a 70/30 ratio of water to vinegar) is a good, affordable way to kill mildew and deodorize your carpet. Vinegar is great for killing odors. However, it is understandable if you use something a little stronger to kill the mildew growth and ensure it does not come back. In most cases, you can safely use vinegar + baking soda against fungi and their spores.
Applying a commercial carpet cleaner or deodorizer
There are commercially available carpet cleaners designed specifically to deodorize your carpet. Not only will they kill the mildew smell, but they will also get rid of the mildew that caused it in the first place.
Using a steam cleaner to clean the carpet deep
Suppose you want to get aggressive with removing the mildew in your carpet. In that case, utilizing a steam cleaner is a great, often chemical-free, way to kill the mold before allowing you to rehabilitate the smell of the carpet.
Tips to Prevent Mildew Smell in Carpets
Proper ventilation
Proper ventilation is required to keep mildew from developing on your carpet. Run a ceiling fan, or use box fans. So long as you keep good air circulating in your home, you should be able to prevent mildew growth.
Reducing humidity
Humidity is one of the chief causes of mildew. To combat that problem, you can always use your A/C unit and/or a dehumidifier with improved ventilation, which will keep things difficult for mold to grow.
Promptly addressing water damage or leaks
It does not matter if you run a dehumidifier or have good ventilation. If your carpet is regularly exposed to moisture, the mildew will return. Any leaks, no matter how small they seem, must be addressed, or the mildew will become a constant thorn in your side.
Additional Resources and Recommendations
Professional carpet cleaning services
Having a professional touch can make all the difference between having the job done right the first time or devoting time to trial and error. A professional will have all the right tools and cleaning solutions to ensure a thoroughly cleaned carpet.
Products or tools to eliminate mildew smell in carpets
Numerous commercially available tools and cleaners are available to solve the problem independently. This approach has benefits because when you are done with the carpet, you can use the tools and cleaners later in other areas.
When to replace a carpet that has a persistent mildew smell.
Damage Control 911 would remove the carpet if flooded, but very small areas of mildew on the bottom and padding can be corrected in-house. Suppose an entire room of carpet is flooded and saturated. In that case, you should replace it or have a professional inspect it, and possibly test the air quality to ensure it's safe to do it yourself and inform you if the carpet needs replacement.
