Carpet Odor

If you’ve experienced water damage due to leaking pipes, burst pipes or a flood event, you know how much work it takes to get things back to normal. After all the water has been removed and the cleanup and repair work is over, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. That is, until the smell starts to overtake your space. The most likely source of the odor is your carpeting. Once it gets wet, it’s the perfect place for mold to grow and with it comes a musty smell that is quite unbearable. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to get rid of the odor so you and your family can breathe easier.

The first step in eliminating mold odors from your carpeting is to make sure it’s completely dry. For a small area, simply use towels, paper towels, or newspaper to absorb the water. If an entire room of carpet is wet, use a wet-dry vac to suck up the excess moisture. Once that is done, a dehumidifier or your air conditioner will help capture any remaining moisture. Open windows and a box fan or table fan will create an air current that also helps dry the carpet. Once it’s completely dry, there are several techniques that you can use to eliminate the odor.

One of the best, non-toxic odor removers is regular baking soda. You won’t have to worry about how it will affect your children, pets, or yourself. It’s also one of the least expensive and it’s incredibly easy. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over the affected area and let it sit overnight. In the morning, thoroughly vacuum the room, and your carpet will smell fresher.

If you’re still smelling mold after applying baking soda or vinegar, consider renting a commercial carpet cleaning machine. Carefully clean the carpet using a cleaning solution appropriate for the machine. Be sure that you don’t get the carpet too wet and go over it several times to suck up excess water. Use a fan or dehumidifier to dry the carpets after cleaning so mold doesn’t regrow and cause more odors.

Sometimes, the mold odor will linger no matter how much cleaning you do to your carpets. A simple way to help eliminate the smell is to place a bowl of baking soda, kitty litter, or white vinegar in the room. Any of these substances will absorb the odors in a room without imparting any other aromas. To get the full effect of these odor eliminating materials, change them frequently.

If you’ve tried everything and you’re still smelling a moldy odor, it’s likely that the source of the odor is hidden from view. Mold could be growing beneath the carpeting and padding, in the floorboards, or even in your walls. The best course of action in this case is to call a mold remediation specialist like Twin Home Experts. We’ll inspect your home and get to the root of the problem so that it can be addressed and eliminated. You can contact us online or by phone.  Our experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we’re always ready to take on even the most difficult mold issues.