Having a nasty smell on your carpet may be a result of having mildew on it. This article will be discussing how to get mildew smell out of carpet.
You can either use a vinegar solution or a carpet shampoo to remove the mildew smell from your carpet. If you don’t know how to use these ingredients, continue reading because I will discuss these two methods.
Mildew has the same effect as mold and, when inhaled, can cause allergy-like symptoms. It may also cause more problems to those with weaker immune systems.
The sole difference between mildew to mold is the color and the flat and powdery texture of it. Mildews are white and somehow easy to spot once smelled.
What Causes Mildew On Carpet?
There are different ways for your carpet to accumulate mildew, and here are some of them.
Water damage on the floor
If there is water damage beneath the carpet on the floor, there is a high chance of it getting mold. Since your carpet is just lying there on your floor, you might not notice that water damage is already happening below it.
When there is water damage on your floor beneath your carpet, the moisture it accumulates is enough to let a bunch of mildew grow under it.
The mildew that grows on your carpet will not just affect your health but also the carpet itself.
Having molds on walls
Molds and mildew grow in the same environment and same condition. They both can develop just by having enough moisture and oxygen in the area.
Since walls are your primary defense, it protects you from the water from the rain, making it vulnerable to water damage. Having your walls damaged by water can cause mold growth.
If you have carpets near your walls, you should check your walls for possible mold growth. If you are having trouble identifying them, then here is how to find mold in walls.
How To Tell If There Is Mildew Under Carpet
To know whether there is mildew under your carpet or not, you should check if there is any decolorization, foul odor, or allergic reaction.
The easiest way to know if there is mold is to check any decolorization in any part of your carpet frequently. Once there is, you better get rid of it before it further spreads inside your home.
To know more on how to tell if there is mold under carpet read it there and gain insight regarding the topic.
Ways On How To Get Rid Of Mildew Smell On Your Carpet
Here are easy methods for you to get rid of that nasty odor caused by mildew.
Method #1. Use of vinegar solution
This method is very do-it-yourself type since the materials you need can be seen inside your home. You will need vinegar, a big vacuum, baking soda, and a spray bottle for this.
Start by vacuuming the part where mildew grew. Then mix the 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of warm water, make sure you would not put too much vinegar into the solution.
Put the vinegar-warm water mixture into the spray bottle and spray it onto the carpet. Make sure you won’t spray too much, or you will end up having more molds.
Next is to put a generous amount of baking soda into the affected part of the carpet and let it dry. Once dried, you can vacuum the remnants of the baking soda on the carpet.
Method #2. Use of carpet shampoo
Another way to get rid of the mildew smell from your carpet is by using carpet shampoo. You can buy carpet shampoo at your local drug store that is near you.
Start by vacuuming the carpet as soon as you notice mildew growing from it. Then apply a generous amount of carpet shampoo and spread it with a sponge, and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Once done, vacuum the carpet again.
Health Risk Of Mildew
Mayo Clinic has said that mold has different effects on your health depending on whether you have a mold allergy or not. If you have, you will experience coughing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that are rather irritating.
Sometimes mold allergy is linked to asthma, and exposure can cause restriction on your breathing and other airway symptoms.
The best defense when you have a mold allergy is to avoid any mold exposure. Taking medications can reduce mold allergy symptoms.
How To Prevent Mildew Growth On Carpet
Keeping the humidity low in the area can help in preventing mold growth on your carpet. Since both mold and mildew need moisture to grow, lowering the humidity is great to avoid it.
Another way is to keep your carpet clean. It is essential to vacuum your carpet weekly to prevent any dirt from growing and feed the mildew and mold that will grow there.
If you want to know more about ways to prevent mold on carpet well, here it is.
Conclusion
Now that you have reached this part of the article, you have learned how to get mildew smell out of carpet. Make sure to work on this issue right away to keep your carpets fresh and clean.