Moisture’s Constant Companion
Most of the stains we cover in this series have to do with accidental spills and how to clean them off your carpet or rugs. Mildew is seldom the result of a momentary accident but instead develops from unseen moisture. Mildew can affect individuals with sensitive health issues, such as allergies or respiratory problems. Plus it looks terrible on any carpet.
What is Mildew?
Many people wonder what’s the difference between mold and mildew. Basically, it all starts with fungi. A fungus is any kind of organism that survives by breaking down and absorbing the nutrient matter of another organism, whether living or dead. Mushrooms and molds are what most people recognize when we talk about fungi. Molds are widely present on Earth with about 100,000 known species. Molds release spores that float through the air until they rest on a surface where they can propagate. They come in different varieties, and mildews are essentially flat molds. They don’t penetrate deeply and don’t grow very high. Mildew is often powder white or gray in color, turning yellow and then dark brown over time. It’s generally easier to remove than the more pernicious forms of mold. Although mildew is usually not as toxic nor as damaging to your home as mold, it’s still important to remove it once noticed. Prolonged exposure to some types of mildew can make a person sick.
Removing Mildew
Here are a few possible ways to remove mildew from carpet:
- Always wear protective gear (gloves and a face mask) to reduce exposure to mildew spores. Area rugs should be moved into a well-ventilated area. It is best not to work on mildew in an enclosed space, if at all possible.
- Dry the affected area as much as possible. If indoors, it is best to use air movers that have a HEPA filtration system, as otherwise you are just blowing spores everywhere.
- Use a broom to dislodge and sweep up as much of the mildew as you can, then vacuum the affected area carefully to remove the mildew. Again, using a vacuum with HEPA filtration is best.
- In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent (without bleach or lanolin) in 2 cups of warm water. Use a sponge to dab the affected area with the mixture, working from the outer edge inward.
- Let the area dry on its own. Placing weighted towels on the area might assist, but after 20 minutes or so, vacuum the area again.
If this safe method does not work, the best option for removing mildew is scheduling an appointment with Preferred Carpet Care in Redding. Our mold remediation techniques are very effective with mildew. Since the presence of either mold or mildew is often linked with water damage, Preferred Carpet Care offers water damage restoration. We even remove mildew from tile and grout. For more information on saving your carpet from mold or mildew, please contact our office by phone or online form. Let us remove any mildew safely and successfully, so you don’t have to deal with it.