How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growing in Your Carpet

by Logan S. Natural doctor

Carpets, especially shag pile and soft ones, make your home look comfy and warm. They add such a nice feeling under your feet, and you probably would never let them go. But if you're a proud owner of a carpet, you may be facing common challenges associated with cleaning and taking care of it. And especially so because if you don't, you'll risk having mildew growing on the underlayment and deep in the pile. Here are some pieces of advice to prevent it from happening.

Beware of Humidity

The first thing you need to remember is that mold needs moisture to grow. So don't place your carpet in high-humidity places and try not to spill any liquids on it. If your carpet is somehow subject to moisture, clean it dry.

Low Temperature is Better for Your Carpet

Temperature can also contribute to mildew and mold growth, so be sure to keep it reasonably low. Below 80°F would be enough.

Clean Properly

There is nothing better to clean a carpet than a vacuum cleaner. Use dry mode of cleaning to prevent moisture remaining in the carpet, or dry it carefully afterward. The most important thing to consider here is the type of carpet you have, as not all vacuum cleaners can clean a shag pile carpet, a soft carpet, or a rich oriental carpet properly without damaging it. So check whether or not your vacuum cleaner is suitable for your carpet.

If the Mold has Already Grown

Unfortunately, there are almost no ways to clean your carpet from mold if it has already grown on it. If there are small spots affected, try wet cleaning with detergents, water, and a steam vacuum cleaner. But be sure to dry the carpet afterward. Another way is to simply cut off the affected area and replace it with a new carpet. But this will only be possible if the carpet has no complex design or is not unique. Otherwise, the only thing you can do is to remove the whole carpet.

This article was prepared with the help of wisepick.org.