How to Get Mold Out of Your Carpet (and When to Call a Pro)
Mold is one houseguest you don’t want sticking around
- N-95 respirator
- Safety goggles
- Safety gloves
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Trash bag
- Mold killing cleaner
Your carpets are the centerpiece of your decor. They pull the whole room together and make stepping into your living room cozier. But when you suspect mold has taken over your carpet, you can have some serious trouble on your hands if you don’t act quickly. We’ll show you the best way to get mold out of your carpet, one step at a time.
Prepping to Remove Mold From a Carpet
Mold can be particularly difficult to get out of soft surfaces like carpets. Before you begin cleaning your carpet, you'll want to remove any materials that are too damaged to clean or repair. You might need to throw out some of your furnishings or even remove segments or paneling, drywall or flooring if there was a water leak.
Due to significant potential health risks, non-professionals should only attempt mold removal if the affected area is smaller than 10 square feet. If it’s at the level where you’re considering throwing things away, you probably shouldn’t tackle the job yourself. Your local mold removal company will help you determine what is salvageable and what is not.
If you can smell the odor and you can’t see it, usually that is a sign of something more serious. Mold can hide behind your walls and floors and will require a professional mold remediation company to run indoor air quality tests.
Tackle Any Initial Damage or Dampness
Inspect the area. Do you see a water leak or other signs of water damage? Is an appliance leaking water? Are pet accidents causing the dampness? Dampness leads to mold, so tackling the source of the moisture should be priority number one.
Beyond any emergency plumbing issues you need to address, be sure to mop up any moisture or pools of water before getting to work with cloths or a mop. If the affected area is severely damaged, again, this process and the remediation itself would best be left to the pros.
Ventilate the Room
At this point, you’ll want to ventilate the room and get everyone out of there for a few hours. Open all your windows and run dehumidifiers if you have them. This step will not only help to clear the odor but also ensure that any remaining moisture in your carpets gets thoroughly dried up.
Lift the Carpeting, If Possible
Now is the time to don your personal protective equipment. If you’re able to, lift your carpeting with a pry bar to examine underneath it so you can get a good idea of the damage. If you find a large area of mold under the carpet, you will likely need to replace the carpet or at least bring in a local professional carpet installer to replace the affected area and the carpeting around it.
Scrub the Affected Areas With a Dry Brush
Once you’ve inspected the area and determined it’s small enough to tackle yourself, it’s time to begin lifting the mold. While still wearing your personal protective equipment, scrub the area with a stiff-bristled brush. Don’t use any detergent yet, as a dry brush can help you dispose of the initial debris on both the top and the backside of the carpet, if applicable. As mold comes off onto the brush, place that mold into the trash.
Cover the Area With a Mold-Killing Detergent
You can purchase an over-the-counter mold remediation solution, or you can make your own solution using a combination of water and a mold-killing detergent like Borax (measure 1 cup for every gallon of water). You can also make a vinegar and water solution (1:1 ratio), but you should never, ever mix any of these cleaners together. Choose one method and stick with it.
Saturate the area with the cleaner of your choice, and then let it sit for an hour or so. Then, go in with a rag or similar cloth and begin scrubbing the area. Make sure to scrub the back of the carpet, the matting, and the floor beneath until all signs of mold are gone. Once you’re done, throw the rag in the trash.
Note: Again, use extreme caution during this process and wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and an N95 mask, at all times.
Dry the Area Thoroughly
Once you’re satisfied with the cleaning job, you’ll want the area to dry completely. Leave the room (with the windows open) for around a day to allow everything to dry. Then, spray the area again and allow it to dry again.
Try Steam Cleaning (Optional)
Once you feel you’ve eliminated the visible mold, if you have a steam cleaner, you can use it now for some extra peace of mind. You may also choose to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Just be sure not to vacuum before this step, as it can kick mold around.
Consider Getting an Inspection
Photo: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesEven after all of this thorough cleaning, it may still be worth getting regular inspections for mold, especially if this isn’t the first time you’ve spotted it on your carpet. After all, a pro can help spot a small mold issue before it spirals out of control. They may also recommend that you remove your carpet entirely to avoid future mold growth. Carpet removal costs around $180, depending on how much you need taken away.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Get Mold out of Carpet
It might seem like mold remediation is something you can easily do yourself, but in most situations, hiring a pro is best. For instance, if the mold covers a large area (more than 10 square feet) or has penetrated to the carpet pad or subfloor, that’s a good sign you will need to replace your carpet. Your mold removal pro can help you make this determination and give you tips to avoid mold growth in the future. If you do need to replace your carpet, installing a new carpet costs around $1,000, but can increase if there is subfloor damage.
"Professional mold removal companies have specific chemicals and equipment that are utilized in the removal of mold,” said Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “They’re also able to test the area after the removal process to check that all mold has been removed and that it’s no longer a threat to anyone's health."
For carpets that are salvageable, calling in a local professional carpet cleaning service is a good option. Your pro will have the industrial-quality equipment often needed to kill mold growth. Professional carpet steam cleaning, for instance, can eradicate mold spores due to the high temperatures involved. Just be sure to give them lots of info about your carpeting and the mold situation so they can come prepared. Carpet cleaning costs on average $200, depending on the size and severity of the stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, carpet mold can spread if not addressed properly or quickly. Mold can spread to underneath the carpet, impacting the subfloor or attached walls. Mold and mildew can spread within the first 72 hours, so it is important to address the problem quickly and remove any affected carpet.
Usually, when you have mold, you will notice that your indoor air quality isn’t what it should be. You might notice dank odors, for instance, coming from your carpet, and it may feel damp or spongy. Or you may find that your family members are showing more allergy symptoms than usual, from coughing and sneezing to itchy, watery eyes.
And, of course, if you’ve recently experienced flooding or you live in a particularly humid environment, that’s a good sign you’re at risk for mold growth.
Unfortunately, mold can grow pretty much anywhere, on any kind of surface. However, you’re most likely to see it in damp areas like basements or bathrooms, as well as anywhere there has been a water leak.
