The musty smell in carpets that have suffered water damage can be unpleasant and dangerous to your health. That musty smell is usually from mold spores. Unless there was severe flooding or black water flood damage to the home, it is possible to get rid of the musty smell from your carpets. If you’d like to try to fix this problem on your own, follow these tips to remove musty carpet odors after water damage in Springfield Missouri.
Dry the Carpets Thoroughly
Make sure your carpets are thoroughly dried. If there is a musty odor, there is either an ongoing water problem that needs to be addressed or there was at some point. Any water damage needs to be fixed so the problems don’t and the carpets must be fully dry before trying to get rid of the smell.
If the home was flooded, have a professional water restoration company take a look to see if your carpets can be saved. You might need to remove both the carpet and the padding to completely eliminate the odors.
Vacuum the Carpet
Remove dust by vacuuming the carpet. This will help the odors disappear faster. A larger more powerful vacuum cleaner can help remove more dust from the carpets, ensuring they’re ready for the next steps.
Use Vinegar and Water Lightly
A mixture of two parts water to one part white vinegar can be sprayed over the carpet. Use a spray bottle to mist the carpet and avoid oversaturation. Increased moisture can cause mold growth instead of removing odors.
Add Baking Soda to the Carpets
Baking soda should be poured on top of the vinegar solution. It is a good idea to use a lot of baking soda, which happens to be a natural odor neutralizer. It is safe for both pets and young children, so there is nothing to worry about with using it on carpets, and it will not cause any damage.
Let the Solution Sit as Long as Possible
The vinegar and baking soda solution should be left on the carpets as long as possible. It’s recommended to leave it there for at least a few hours, if not overnight, to get better results. The longer it sits, the more it can do to help remove the smell.
Try Hydrogen Peroxide
If vinegar and baking soda doesn’t completely remove the smells, hydrogen peroxide is the next option. This should be mixed one part hydrogen peroxide to five parts water and sprayed on the back of the carpet. This helps kill any mold spores along with removing the odor.
Use a Foam Shampoo for Carpets
Another option is a foam carpet shampoo. After vacuuming the carpet to clean it, use a sponge to apply the foam shampoo to the entire carpet. Do not oversaturate, but make sure the carpet is covered. Once the carpet dries, vacuum again to remove any of the shampoo.
Repeat Methods As Needed
Sometimes, odors can remain after trying the above methods. If this happens, it’s possible to try them again to get rid of the smell for good.
If you don’t want to tackle this job on your own, it might be time to call in the experts. Water damage can lead to musty odors after a carpet gets wet, especially if the carpet gets soaked.
If you ever experience musty carpets from water damage, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration to do the water damage restoration job right.