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What to Do If You Have Mold On Your Carpet

When you think of mold, you may think of the more common places for mold to grow, like under the sink or in a water-damaged basement that’s suffered a flood. However, you might not realize that mold can grow on your carpet as well. The fibers of a carpet can trap water and mold damage can occur within 24-48 hours of initial water damage. So if you spill a glass of water on your carpet, you might think “It’s not a big deal, it’ll just dry out.” While yes, usually it will “just dry out,” mold can and does grow on carpets, especially if the humidity in your home is high. Here’s what you should do if you find mold on your carpet.

How Does a Carpet End Up With Mold Anyways?

A moldy carpet isn’t something anyone wants to deal with. You might wonder how a carpet ends up growing mold in the first place. Sometimes, the answer is obvious- if your humidifier leaks, or if you spill something on the carpet, the water damage is easy to trace back to its original source. However, sometimes mold grows on your carpet without a clear source like a spill or a leak. In these cases, it could be that the humidity in your home is too high. If your humidity is high, the water in the air may collect on surfaces such as your windows, your walls, or- you guessed it- your carpet. When that happens, mold can form within 24-48 hours and spread to other carpet fibers. Unfortunately, 

Baking Soda: An Age-Old Fix

Baking soda is used in a lot of things, including toothpaste and some natural deodorants. But did you know that it can also help you remove mold? Sprinkling baking soda on the affected area can help. Leave the baking soda overnight. This allows it to soak up the moisture from the carpet overnight, as well as neutralize any unpleasant odors from the mold. In the morning, vacuum up the baking soda and spritz the area with vinegar and scrub the carpet with a stiff brush. Remember to change the bag on the vacuum after you vacuum up the baking soda, even if it isn’t full yet. Even inside a vacuum bag, mold spores can spread! 

Use a Mold Removal Solution

There are solutions on the market that are formulated specifically for mold removal. Most of these solutions come in spray or powder form and can be found in the cleaning aisle at most grocery stores. You’ll need to have a garbage bag nearby. Apply the solution, then scrub it out and toss the residue in a garbage bag or vacuum it up and change the bag. Be careful not to use cleaning solutions that haven’t been specifically formulated for mold removal, including straight bleach. 

When In Doubt, Call a Professional

Sometimes, home mold damage removal won’t work, especially if you have a widespread infestation. Mold can pose serious risks to your health, so if you have any doubts about whether you’ll be able to remove it, it’s best to call a professional. Americon Restoration has been serving Ohio for over a century and we are experts in mold damage and removal! We know you may have concerns about COVID-19 and we want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to keep our employees and our customers healthy and safe. Americon Restoration is taking all necessary precautions before entering our customers’ homes and closely following CDC guidelines. We want you and your family to feel safe and stay healthy! Please contact us through our website or by phone at (216) 221-5200.