Carpets do not only make a home wonderfully cozy, but they can also warm up a place. A clean and fresh-smelling carpet can enhance the appearance of your home. But, this piece of decoration can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth when water damage occurs. In today’s post, we will explain to you the steps on how to remove carpet odors after water damage.
The Danger of a Damp and Musty Carpet
A musty-smelling carpet is not only unpleasant but it is also dangerous. Your carpet can produce an unpleasant smell that can travel throughout your living space and affect the entire environment. If you realize that you are smelling a moldy odor, it could mean you are inhaling mold spores and other compounds that are toxic and may cause a wide range of health issues like bronchitis, sore throat, difficulty breathing, migraine, sinus infections, and joint pain and inflammation.
Furthermore, a musty carpet can trigger allergies and infections because of the different kinds of allergens, molds, and bacteria that are present in your carpet. Thus, it is important to keep your carpet clean and fresh. It is also a good idea to have your carpets cleaned professionally especially after water damage occurs.
How to Remove Carpet Odors After Water Damage
1. Address the Cause of Carpet Odors
One of the first things you have to do when removing carpet odors is to identify where the musty smell coming from. The musty smell often indicates water damage or high humidity problems. It could be water damage that has not been addressed or some areas of your home could be producing a high level of humidity, preventing your carpet from fully drying.
2. Dry the Area
Once the water problem is fixed, you should dry out the area. Open windows to allow air circulation or install a fan or dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture.
3. Remove Dust and Debris
Before you begin treating your carpet, make sure that it is free from any debris. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Doing this can also help dissolve odor faster.
4. Remove Carpet Odors
Fortunately, there are easy ways in removing carpet odors even after water damage and some of the remedies can be found at home.
- Use of Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar is a natural and very diverse home remedy. It can kill mold and is efficient in removing persistent odor. To make a vinegar cleaning solution, mix one tablespoon of vinegar to every 2 cups of water. Mix it thoroughly and put the solution in a spray bottle. Gently mist your carpet with this solution, but do not oversaturate it as it can trigger mold growth. While your carpet is wet, sprinkle an ample amount of baking soda. Baking soda is an amazing deodorizer. Then, allow these remedies to take effect. Leave them for some hours or overnight. Vacuum up the remaining baking soda.
- Use of Hydrogen Peroxide
When the odor seems tough to handle, you may need to use a stronger remedy. Mix1 part of hydrogen peroxide with 5 parts of water. Use a spray bottle to apply this solution. Allow the solution to sit for some hours to neutralize mold spores and carpet odors.
- Use of Carpet Shampoo
Another way to remove carpet odors after water damage is by using a foam carpet shampoo. This solution can be found in most grocery stores. Apply the shampoo using a sponge to prevent oversaturating the carpet. Then, allow the carpet to dry. You may also need to vacuum the carpet again to remove any remaining debris.
If the odor persists, repeat the process.
5. Contact a Professional
If you have water damage or mold problems that caused your carpet to produce unpleasant odors, you may need to have your carpet cleaned by a professional restoration company, Superior Restoration. Water damage and mold problems can quickly get expensive. So, the earlier you take action the better it will be for your property.
Superior Restoration is the leading restoration company that offers advanced carpet cleaning, water damage clean up and mold removal services to commercial and residential customers. Call us today for professional restoration services.
