With the average cost of carpet replacement ranging from $880 to $2,315, it’s no wonder homeowners who notice a musty smell start to stress out!
If your home has suffered from water damage or a sub-par cleaning job and you’re left with a stinky smell, there’s a good chance you can take care of it yourself. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of mildew smell in the carpet in just a few easy steps.
How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Carpet? First, Dry it Out!
The first and most important step in getting rid of mildew smell is to make sure the carpet is thoroughly dried. You might consider renting out big fans, but you’re honestly better off just calling a professional water damage company. They’ll have all the right equipment to get the job done right the first time.
Once you’re confident that the carpet is completely dry, follow these five additional steps.
1. Vacuum Up Debris
Run your vacuum vigorously across all of your carpeted areas. Pay close attention to any spots where you notice a strong mildew scent. You may need to do this a couple of times, changing out the vacuum bag between sessions.
2. Apply Your Homemade Mildew Remover
Next, create a homemade mildew remover by mixing one cup of white vinegar and two cups of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and lightly mist the entire carpet. Make sure not to get the carpet too wet, as this can encourage even more growth.
Let this mixture sit for three to five minutes, then use a sponge to scrub any areas that carry a strong smell.
3. Apply Baking Soda
Baking soda is an incredible odor remover and it’s perfect for getting rid of any stink that’s still lingering. Give the carpet enough time to air dry, then vacuum up all of the baking soda. At this point, the smell should be eliminated.
4. Try Some Other Options
If the steps above haven’t fixed your problem, there are a few more options you can try. A mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and five parts water should help remove the mold spores that cause a musty odor. Just make sure to test a small area first to ensure that it won’t harm your carpet.
A commercial foaming carpet cleaner may also do the trick.
5. Know When to Call in the Pros
If everything you’ve tried hasn’t worked, you don’t have to give up and replace your carpets yet. First, call in a professional carpet cleaner to see what they can do. This will give you access to equipment, cleaners, and a great deal of experience that you just can’t get with a DIY job.
Find More Tips for Making the Most of Your Home
Now that you know how to get rid of mildew smell in carpet, there’s no reason to suffer with it any longer! Follow the steps above and your house will smell great in no time.
Want even more great tips for making your home beautiful and fun to live in? Explore a few more of our blog posts. We have plenty of great ideas and tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.
These are good steps on how to get rid of a mildew smell. I had to get a professional cleaning service, but they did eliminate the odor.
Very good tips for getting rid of mildew in carpets. We mostly have very low humidity in Colorado so it’s not usually much of a problem.