Contractor - Removing Mildew From Carpets  Local Contractors: Removing Mildew From Carpets
  Home    
 

Removing Mildew From Carpets


How much will this cost? For FREE, NO OBLIGATION contractor pricing for your Removing Mildew From Carpets project Click Here .

If the musty mildew odor is detected, stop its growth. Use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air and, in turn, from the carpet. As long as the moisture is low the mildew will not grow. Open up the windows and use fans to circulate air over the carpet. If the mildew growth is on the surface, open draperies to allow the sun to shine on the carpet. Even artificial light will help.

If flooding occurs and the back of the carpet is not made from all man-made fibers, dry the back of the carpet as quickly as possible. This may require the services of a professional carpet cleaner to take the carpet up and dry it at their plant. On smaller carpet or if only a portion of a large one is wet, one corner of the carpet may be lifted so fans can circulate air underneath. By attaching the hose to the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner, it can be inserted under the carpet and used to blow air.

Caution: Care should be taken when using electrical appliances around a wet carpet to prevent electrical shocks. If the carpet is dried quickly, this should prevent mildew growth.

If mildew growth has started, it will be mainly in the back. If the back can be examined, a discolored area may indicate the growth location. The musty odor will be evident if some moisture is still present. If no odor can be detected, a little hot moisture from a steam iron on the back of the carpet will quickly bring out the musty smell.

To kill the mildew once the area is determined, a rug or smaller wall-to-wall carpet can be taken outside so the back can be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, which will usually kill the mildew in a day or so. Giving the affected back area a light painting of a 1/2% solution of hydrogen peroxide (one part of fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to 5 parts of water) and then letting the sun shine on it, will make the action take place at a faster rate. Cleaning with a diluted carpet cleaning solution will wash the mildew from the surface but this action alone will not kill the mildew.

These procedures usually will not remove the discoloration from inside the fibers. To do this may require very destructive bleaching which can destroy the fibers.

If the carpet is returned and used under the same conditions in which the mildew originally grew, it can grow again. Not that the mildew wasn't killed but, rather, new mildews spores can get on the fibers.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the Georgia Extension bulletin, How to Care for Carpets and Rugs, the Hoover Company, Nebraska Extension bulletin Carpet Care - Cleaning and Stain Removal, the Carpet and Rug Institute, Allied Fibers and Plastics Inc. and DuPont Clean Up Carpeting bulletin.



Credit MSU Extension

Not sure if you want to tackle this project on your own? Let up to 5 contractors compete for your Removing Mildew From Carpets project. This is a free service with no obligation.


How it works - A 3 Step Process

1. Find the right category for Removing Mildew From Carpets at Service Magic
Find the right category and describe your needs
· Select the category that most accurately describes your service need
· Describe your request thoroughly so ServiceMagic {0} will want to work for you
· {0} will choose to accept your request based on your description & their availability


2. Let Service Magic match you to presecreened qualified service professionals
· Avoid playing phone tag. ServiceMagic will immediately contact their matching {0}
· Once their pros confirm their interest and availability, they'll let you know by e-mail
· Meanwhile, get prepared using their HomeFront Library and Homeowner's Toolbox


3. Select the {0} for your Project
· Review detailed profiles from up to four prescreened member {0}
· Read Ratings & Reviews from previous customers to help you make the right decision




Related Entries: mildew carpets rugs floods cleaning


Microwave Oven Care and Cleaning
Care of Plastic Laminate Counters
Cleaning China-Crystal-Glassware
Venetian Blinds - Washing in Bathtubs
Cleaning Leather Upholstered Furniture
Metal Furniture--Cleaning
Solid Element Cooktops-Care and Cleaning
Cleaning Lamp Shades
After a Flood-Supplies
CORELLE-Care and Cleaning
Wood Furniture - Grease Stains