How to treat damp and mouldy carpets

Like most people, you too are probably guilty of postponing your carpet cleaning duties. It is not just vacuuming that should be taken care of, but also stains and other issues like mould and damp.

It is one thing leaving your vacuuming chores for later, but ignoring the serious problem that is mould and damp poses a significant health risk. Breathing the spores released from these substances isn’t good, as it can lead to allergic reactions and respiratory problems. If you live in an area with a humid climate, you may have to address this issue more often. Thankfully, it is not as difficult as you may think.

The first thing you will need to do is acquire the required cleaning materials. You can opt for diluted bleach or a specialised mould remover. Either of these work, as long as you strictly follow the instructions on the product label. Mind your safety – wear a facemask to prevent eye problems. If the mould problem is particularly severe, you may need carpet shampoo to make sure spores are removed from the carpet fibres. Close the door of the room to ensure mould spores don’t escape to other parts of your home but open the window for ventilation purposes. Next, follow these steps:

• Sweep mould debris from the back and the front side of the carpet. It is best to do this outside after the carpet has had enough time to dry in the sun. Make sure there is no residue on the floor where the carpet was.
• Apply the product per instructions on the label. Use it on either side of the carpet and make sure that it soaks properly to kill off all spores within the pile.
• Scrub and leave the carpet to dry off. The majority of mould cleaning solutions don’t require rinsing. However, you should add anti-fungal solution on the floor area where the carpet was located. You should let that dry out completely.

Once you are done, you should douse the equipment you used in the anti-fungal solution too. Do that immediately, to prevent the spores from entering other areas of your home.

An essential aspect to combating damp and mould is prevention. You must take the required precautions to prevent similar problems in the future. Follow these tips in that regard:

• Ventilate your home properly
• Identify sources of condensation. Fix the problem as soon as you can, to minimise the risk of developing mouldy spores in that area. Most commonly, such issue is present in the kitchen and the bathroom. An exhaust fan can greatly help combat damp and mould, in addition to proper ventilation.
• Seal leaky pipes. This should be done right away, else you risk accumulating moisture in one area of your home. It is not just pipes to watch out for. Roof spots and walls can also develop leaks, which must be addressed.
• Clear the gutters. Surprisingly, gutters can lead to building moisture inside your home. It happens when they overflow, allowing moisture to enter your home through doorways and windows.

Now that you know how to properly tackle mould and damp in your carpet cleaning routine, you need only pay attention to prevent this issue in the first place.

If you find these tasks too difficult and you are afraid of damaging your carpet, please get in touch with us. We will send one of our carpet cleaning specialists.

© PCCL Ltd