How to Get Mold Out of Carpet
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Have you had a leak or flooding in the home, and the carpet is moldy? Here’s how to salvage it—and how to know if it’s beyond salvaging.
Mold is a living, growing organism that can appear as green, gray, or white patches on carpet and can add a strong musty odor to a room. It can lead to chronic allergies, asthma, and even bronchitis.
While you may be able to mitigate smaller spots of mold yourself, sections greater than 5 feet in width require treatment by professionals, because it’s likely the mold has invaded the underlay or flooring, which is much harder to remove.
It’s important that you determine how to get mold out of carpet as well as address its root cause—groundwater seepage or other external factors must be resolved at the same time.
“Moisture must be considerable and sustained for a period of time [to produce mold],” says David Ragsdale, Production Manager at ServPro, a cleanup and restoration company. “The period of time is driven by many factors, but primarily by the types of mold spores present and environmental conditions like temperature, airflow, and humidity.”
There are various means for how to get rid of mold in carpet, some more effective than others. Natural antifungal remedies, such as vinegar and tea tree oil, are known to inhibit, but not kill, mold. Bleach can banish mold, but it can also discolor carpet.
Mold can be a health hazard. A pro can help
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Why is my carpet moldy?
Moldy carpet can be due to a combination of things. Untreated dampness on carpet—whether caused by a persistent leak, overzealously watered plants, or a not-quite-house-trained puppy—can create mold growth in a matter of days.
“If the water has additional contamination or has been on the carpet for more than 48 hours then removal vs. extraction and cleaning is a 50/50 decision,” says Neil Carlson, an industrial hygienist at the Health, Safety, and Risk Management department at the University of Minnesota. “If the water is a category 3, such as sewer backup, overland flood water, or heavy rainstorm water, then removal with containment and good hygiene is the best approach. The remaining surfaces will need to be disinfected with an EPA-approved cleaning agent. Follow the directions on the label of the product,” Carlson explains.
Moldy carpet can also be caused by:
- Poor ventilation in the surrounding area
- Organic matter accumulation
- Flooding
- Improper cleaning
- Structural issues
Whatever the cause, it’s critical to resolve moldy carpet issues promptly.
Signs of Mold in and Under Carpet
Recognizing the signs of mold in or under carpeting is crucial in order to address the issue promptly and prevent further damage or health hazards. “Sometimes there may or may not be a musty odor associated with the carpet,” Carlson explains, saying that the odor “is more likely when the carpet is still damp, or in a location with higher equilibrium relative humidity.”
Here are the most common signs of mold to watch out for:
- Visible discoloration
- Damp carpet
- Lifted carpet
- Water damage
- A strong, musty odor
Project Overview
Working Time: 3 to 10 hours
Total Time: 3 hours to 3 days, depending on the extent of mold growth
Skill Level: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $245 to $2,500
Before You Begin
“It is best to follow the [Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification] IICRC-520 guidelines for the removal of porous material with fungal contamination,” Carlson says. “The removal of the moldy carpet pad will cause an increase in the level of fungal spores or conidia because it is being mechanically disturbed. Anyone doing the removal will need HEPA-filtered respiratory protection.”
Tools & Materials
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