If you smell a "wet carpet" smell in your home, try baking soda and your strongest vacuum to remove the mustiness.If mold and mildew have taken hold of your carpet, you may need to clean it with harsher chemicals.If the scent persists, consider consulting carpet cleaning professionals to see if it can be removed.
Step 1: Baking soda can be put on the carpet.
Baking soda is absorbent.If you get a box from the grocery store, pour it over the carpet in the room and it will smell like wet carpet.You can spread the baking soda around the carpet with a broom or sponge.Baking soda can be left on the carpet.You can use powdered borax in the same way.Follow safety precautions on the packaging if you use borax.
Step 2: The carpet has to be vacuumed.
Make sure to cover the entire surface of the carpet with the strongest vacuum you have.Make sure to go over every area of the carpet from at least two different directions after vacuuming the room a second time.
Step 3: If the smell persists, use a commercial carpet cleaner.
Commercial carpet cleaner can help remove odors from the carpet.You can find it at your grocery store or online.If you follow the directions on the packaging, you will be directed to vacuum the carpet first.Some carpet washes are designed to be used in a carpet cleaning machine, while others are used with a sponge.You may need to sponge the carpet, allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes, and then vacuum the entire area again.
Step 4: It's a good idea to spray on a solution to kill mold.
It is very acidic and gives it antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties.It can help remove debris from your carpet and kill mold.To make a cleaning solution, mix 2 cups (0.47 L) of warm water with a small amount of white vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle.Apply liberally to your carpet after shaking the mixture thoroughly.Make more.The room will smell strongly of vinegar until it dries.The room should be vacuumed once the mixture has dried.
Step 5: For use in a carpet machine, mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with a dye-free soap.
You can mix 4% hydrogen peroxide with 15% dye-free mild soap.They should be blended into 6 cups of hot water.It's ideal for home carpet cleaning machines.3% hydrogen peroxide can be found at a pharmacy.The hydrogen peroxide lightens the carpets.This risk is minimal if you keep the percentage of hydrogen peroxide below 3%.
Step 6: It is possible to clean the carpet by hand.
Extra cleaning power can be obtained by using white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together.In a spray bottle, blend 4 cup (59 mL) of white vinegar with 1 percent hydrogen peroxide and 15 percent mild dye-free soap.The rest of the bottle should be filled with warm water.
Step 7: The cleaner should be tested on a spot.
If you use hydrogen peroxide to clean your carpets, make sure you test your cleaning solution.You can rub your cleaning solution on the carpet in the corner of the closet if you wet a towel with it.Wait 24 hours and let it sit for a few minutes.It is likely that your mixture is safe to use on the rest of the carpet if there is no fading.
Step 8: The carpet needs to be kept dry.
The cause of wet carpet smell is humidity.To prevent a musty smell from returning after cleaning, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.If that's what you want to do, keep a fan running and windows open.
Step 9: Open boxes of baking soda can be placed in humid rooms.
Baking soda absorbs odors.To keep the issues at bay, put open containers of baking soda in rooms with a lot of humidity.
Step 10: If necessary, hire a professional carpet cleaner.
Professional carpet cleaners may be able to help you get rid of the wet carpet smell.They will be able to tell you if the carpet can be salvaged.A company that cleans carpets may be able to remove and clean carpets that have been damaged by flooding.
Step 11: If it's possible, remove the carpet.
If you have a carpet that was installed with tack strips, you may be able to remove it and clean it.The padding beneath the carpet should be replaced if you or a carpet cleaning professional are able to save it.If you want to clean the carpet yourself, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water and spray it on both sides.Once the carpet is fully dry, lay it out in the sun.
Step 12: It's a good idea to discard carpeting that has been damaged by water.
You may need to replace the padding beneath the carpet if it has been affected by water.If a carpet was saturated with liquid for more than 24 hours, or if it has been wet, it will need to be replaced.It's possible to dry out a wet carpet if the source of the water was minimal.