If there is mold in my rug. What can I do to take it out?
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There are many ways in which to prevent mold growth in the first place. Reduce the humidity in your home to between 30 and 60 percent. Use a dehumidifier if you have to. Never install carpeting in areas where there is always a moisture problem, such as in bathrooms. When cleaning your carpet with a machine that uses water always be sure that the area is thoroughly dried or this can cause mold growth. If there is flooding or a water spill, the area must be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Mold causes more damage the longer it is allowed to sit so clean these areas as soon as possible.
Whenever dealing with mold and mildew, always wear protective gear. Never touch mold or moldy items with your bare hands. Wear gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm. Goggles, without ventilation holes, are a must to keep mold and mold spores from getting into your eyes.
The first step in cleaning up moldy situations is to find the source of excess water and moisture. Look for any roof or plumbing leaks or flood damage that still needs to be cleaned up or fixed. Be sure to check the air ducts in your home. Heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems can spread mold throughout the rest of the house. This step must be completed before any cleaning will have any effect.
The second step is to determine if the area of mold growth is small enough that you can take care of it yourself or if you should hire a professional. If the area of mold growth is more than 1 to 10 square feet, you should definitely hire a professional. When looking for a specialist in carpet and rug cleaning, make sure that they are specially trained in dealing with mold problems.
The third step, if attempting cleaning on your own, is to begin the cleaning process. If the area is a very small area, you can try cleaning the carpet with a simple solution of detergent and water in a steam-cleaning machine. Wet the surface and suck up the water, repeat until the water starts coming out clear. If detergent and water doesn’t work try some original liquid Lysol and water. Use Lysol only if it doesn’t trigger your allergies.
Another method to try is quite a bit more dramatic. You can use a sanitizing agent such as hypochlorite, or household bleach. The solution is made with 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. This solution can be used on hard surfaces as well as carpets and rugs. To be effective the solution must remain on the surface for 15 minutes. For indoor or outdoor carpeting and rugs you must remove them from the home and place them on a flat area such as the carport or driveway. Hose both sides well to remove dirt and soil. Dump several buckets of the bleach solution on each side and scrub with a broom or hard bristled tool. Rinse both sides well, and remove as much water as possible with a wet/dry vacuum or another cleaner that will pull water. Allow the carpet or rug to dry thoroughly.
Whichever method you choose, always dry the area completely by opening all windows, using a heater, fan, or dehumidifier. This is very important, or the mold will just grow back. Remember to check for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area 24 hours before doing a complete clean.
Remove the rug. Mold will never be completely cleaned out. Spores will make it very difficult to remove (it will come back). Also, it is not healthy for you. You might get allergies or respiratory and skin conditions.
Dry clean it, then brush in a lot of baking soda to get out the odor. You need to dehumidify your home, its too humid.
You might try a mixture of half water and half vinegar to remove the stain. If this doesn't work you may have to replace the rug.
you can dulute bleach with water and take a toothbrush to the spot it should desolve the mold quickly
The Man is right. Get rid of the rug and before laying new, find the source and fix it. You didn't say if there was flooding, or if it just appeared, so I'm not sure how it got there, but you'll save yourself money in the long run, as well as protecting yourself and your family from illness. Mold isn't anything to mess around with. It can be dangerous to your health.
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