In an advanced stage, the easiest way to detect any growth of black mold on the carpet is to see if there’s any discoloration on its surface. Replace water-damaged carpets if they're not cleaned in 24 hours. Doing so can actually cause the mold spores that may still be present to scatter and re-grow in other areas. A general measurement is about one tablespoon per spray bottle of water. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Here’s another do-it-yourself way to approach getting mold out of your carpet. Don’t install it in areas that are likely to receive frequent moisture. Musty Odors After brushing, eliminate loose mold spores using a wet-dry vacuum. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Remove Mold from Carpet – Method # 2. Unmatched in technical excellence, the IICRC Standards are developed to provide the highest quality concepts, terminology, and procedures recognized in the cleaning and restoration industry. So when mold spores in the air find their way on a wet or damp surface with dust that can act as a food source, the conditions are ripe for mold to grow. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of fair wages, employee benefits, and green cleaning practices. The final clue to look out for is any discoloration in the carpet. If you have a musty, somewhat sour odor in the air, you should start searching for the cause. If your carpet has been exposed to standing water, it’s likely ruined and will need to be replaced. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf, https://www.familyhandyman.com/cleaning/mold-and-mildew/how-to-remove-mold/view-all/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Mold may not be easily visible on a carpet’s surface, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. This makes it hard to detect. If carpeting smells or looks moldy it also will almost certainly need to be replaced. Discolored patches may start with various shades of green or black caused by the mold colony in large number. 8 November 2019. “We … Additionally, note its location, since black mold is common in … By using our site, you agree to our. Take the right approach to getting rid of this unhealthy, unsightly organism—for good. Identifying Mold in Carpeting. Mold comes in multiple colors, including green, white, and black. Mold spores landing on the carpet use the moisture and cellulose to begin their germination process and are well on their path to becoming mold. If you cannot remove or lift the carpet, proceed … You can also help to decrease humidity by opening your windows on warm, sunny days and replacing the AC filters in your home every few months. Carpet mold can produce unpleasant odors, degrade your carpet, and cause wheezing in asthma sufferers. Installing carpet in a bathroom is a huge no-no. Look for circular patterns of brown, green or black stains on the carpet. Some of the health risks associated with mold include allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, and irritated eyes. Mold growth occurs in a wet room or an area in your home that receives constant moisture. % of people told us that this article helped them. Smell your carpet to see if it has a musty odor. If this padding becomes wet, chances are both it and the carpet are at risk for mold and may need to be replaced. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 45,043 times. High Levels of Humidity. The following are signs and ways to detect mold growing in or beneath your carpet: A Smell You Can’t Get Rid of – Mold has a distinctive off-putting smell that permeates throughout a home. Wet carpet is mold’s dreamworld, so if it becomes moist, it creates that perfect environment needed for mold growth. Just make sure that the carpet is dried very thoroughly afterward to prevent future mold growth. Deep cleaning will help clear fungi from new carpeting, but after a few years, replacing the flooring may … To learn ways you can prevent carpet mold from happening in the first place, and how to replace a moldy carpet, keep reading! Lastly, clean your carpet using a dry foam if possible. It may be more expensive, but this kind of padding is worth it to prevent mold growth, especially in climates where high humidity is the norm. Make sure you are mixing baking soda with water so it can thoroughly saturate the carpet and reach all sources of mold. If the color of the carpet changes or you notice small patches of fuzzy growth on or between the carpet fibers, it’s time to break out the mold cleaners. 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