What kills mold and mildew in carpet may come in many forms. If you wish for accessible home solutions, we will go through them below.
As for commercial ones, there is one that may prevent mold and mildew growth. Aside from products, we also have steps and tips in removing and preventing mold growth.
Mold And Mildew In Carpets
Mold and mildew grow in damp and dark environments. They start as mold spores and turn to mold once they find the moisture they can feed on. Look into our article about eradicating mold spores to help prevent mold growth.
The appearance is what differentiates mold from mildew. Mildew is generally flat-looking and powdery. Mold, on the other hand, is more fuzzy-looking and slimy.
Also, mildew is what people often refer to when they say mold growth. However, in reality, it is just a specific type of mold.
The difference between mold and mildew aside, how does mold and mildew form in carpets anyway? Find out about that below.
How do mold and mildew form in carpets?
Carpets acquire mold due to various reasons. One reason may be due to dirt containing mold spores and moisture.
Another reason may be due to leaks, wherein your carpet gets wet. Or maybe your carpet just wasn’t dried properly.
The above reasons are all plausible. However, the biggest reason why carpets acquire mold is because of their ability to absorb moisture. That’s not their fault, though; it’s just their characteristic.
Do they affect people and pets?
Yes, mold affects people and pets. For people, the symptoms can manifest as skin allergies and respiratory issues.
Also, carpets are children’s indoor playgrounds. Hence, if a carpet is mold-contaminated, it may be exposed to mold. Peep into our article about removing mildew stains in your baby’s stroller to protect your baby from mold exposure.
Mold exposure would lead to heightened chances of acquiring asthma. It could also lead to some neurological issues.
The effects of mold on pets can range from respiratory difficulties to loss of appetite. When they ingest mold, they may experience body tremors. So, be careful with the food that you’re giving your pets.
Steps On Removing Mold And Mildew
Step #1. Ventilate and isolate
This may sound contradicting but stay with us. Isolate the mold-contaminated area from the other parts of the house.
Use plastics to block off doors that lead to other areas inside the house. Then, ventilate the room by opening windows or doors that lead outside.
Step #2. Brush or vacuum
Put on protective gear. Then, brush the visible mold using a stiff brush or use a vacuum. If you opt to use a vacuum, use one with a HEPA filter.
Step #3. Clean and disinfect
Use a cleaner that kills mold and its spores effectively.
Step #4. Dry and vacuum
After cleaning and disinfecting the carpet, leave it to dry. Then, after it has properly dried, vacuum it again to remove the remaining spores.
Step #5. Coat
For additional protection, apply an anti-fungal coating. The anti-fungal coating helps in the prevention of mold and mildew growth in the future.
Which Products Work Best?
There are several accessible products at home you can use to kill mold and mildew. Here are some of them:
1. Detergent
Mix a quarter-cup of translucent liquid detergent into a cup of warm water. Then, dip your stiff brush into the mixture and scrub the carpet. This can work with both synthetic and natural fiber carpets.
2. Vinegar
Make a vinegar-water mixture by mixing a cup of vinegar and two cups of water for synthetic carpets. For natural-fiber rugs, use only a quarter-cup of vinegar and an equal amount of water. Scrub the carpet using a stiff brush with the mixture.
3. Ammonia
Ammonia can only be used for natural fiber carpets — mix half-cup of lukewarm water and a tablespoon of household ammonia. After that, scrub off mold using a stiff brush and disinfect the carpet.
Tips in preventing mold and mildew in your carpet
Maintaining humidity levels is the best way to prevent mold and mildew growth. Invest in dehumidifiers to maintain moisture in the air. Other tips are as follows:
Install properly
Properly install your carpets. Also, put them in places that are not prone to high moisture, like your kitchen.
Choose your carpets wisely
Consider the type of carpet you buy as well, especially the carpet’s padding. We recommend carpet paddings with anti-microbial properties that are solid and made of rubber. It is pricier than carpets with other backings, but they’re effective in preventing mold growth.
Clean
Whenever spills happen, dab them with a cloth to dry. Properly dry them off as well by ensuring that the carpet’s top and bottom surfaces are dry. Also, remove your shoes before stepping on your carpet to prevent dirt from clinging to them.
Conclusion
Mold and mildew can be killed using accessible products at home. We hope this article about what kills mold and mildew in carpet was able to help you regarding your problem.