Carpet Mildew Odor Removal

Carpeting usually looks great in any room of the house, but sometimes it might need a cleaning or mildew odor removal. Mildew can be caused by wet carpet that doesn't completely dry, like in a bathroom. Some kinds of mildew or mold can be harmful, so follow the easy steps below to rid the carpeting and the room of the mold or mildew and the unpleasant odor.

Step 1: Dry It Out

First, completely dry the area. Either us a blow dryer or suck up excess water with a carpet cleaning machine. If you do not own a carpet cleaner, you can rent one at most grocery stores or home improvement centers.

Step 2: Vacuum

After the carpet has been thoroughly dried, vacuum up any excess dirt, dust or remnants of hair, etc. that could get in the way of cleaning and deodorizing.

Step 3: Prepare a Solution

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray or utility bottle and shake the solution vigorously to blend.

Step 4: Spray Carpet

Spray the carpet where the mildew has formed; but do not saturate the carpet. Use a sponge or soft scrub brush and rub the carpet in a circular motion to disperse and spread the solution evenly. Rinse the sponge or scrub brush and then reapply solution as needed.

Step 5: Dry Again

Use a hair dryer at a high speed or the carpet cleaning machine again to extract any of the remaining vinegar and water solution or any lingering dampness.

Step 6: Sprinkle Baking Soda

Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the carpeting or the area that has the mildew odor and then vacuum it up with a regular upright vacuum.

Step 7: Add Fragrance

Either spray the carpeting with a neutralizer from a home improvement store, or citrus drops, or a fragrant carpet powder to take away any remaining mildew odor.

Step 8: Repeat Process

If the problem persists, repeat accordingly. If the odor will not go away, you might want to seek a professional as it might be a mold problem that cannot be deodorized. Sometimes, there are mold types that could be dangerous or hazardous so be sure to check with a contractor or professional who specializes in the problem.

Step 9: Final Solution

If all else fails and the mildew odor cannot be removed from the carpet, you might have to consider recarpeting the area. Think about tiling instead especially if it is a bathroom since this is a highly travelled area that is constantly in use and a place where water is always on hand.