Nobody enjoys the thought of mould invading their house, particularly in carpeted areas where it can hide until it is too late. Imagine returning home from a demanding day to a musty smell from your living room. Doesn’t sound nice, does it?
Mould not only compromises the appearance of your house, but could also endanger your health. The good news is that your house can smell fresh and your carpet can remain mould-free. You only need some careful maintenance and frequent deep carpet cleaning.
Let’s explore how you can stop mould from growing in your carpets.
Why Mould Loves Carpet
Understanding why mould is so fond of your carpet in the first place will help us to avoid its growth. Just like you love the beautiful threads that weaved your carpet, so does mould.
It grows in moist, humid surroundings. If your carpet stays wet for too long, you have a strong candidate for mould growth. From a leak to a spill to simply high humidity, moisture in carpet fibres provides the ideal environment for mould to flourish.
Add dirt and dust to the equation and you have a smorgasbord for mould spores.
Sadly, once mould begins to grow in a carpet, it can be difficult to remove as it usually goes deep into the fibres and the padding under.
In humid surroundings, carpets run more risk. Bathrooms or basements are more at risk as moisture is often present there. Although a small amount of water would seem innocuous, mould can grow within 24 to 48 hours if the carpet does not dry fast. That is how sly it is!
Food for mould comes from dust, dirt, food crumbs, and even pet hair. Especially in cases of wetness, these natural substances promote mould development when they get caught in the threads.
While deeper cleaning is required to address the issue at its source, regular vacuuming helps lower this danger.
The Role of Deep Carpet Cleaning
Though professional carpet cleaning is what really makes the difference, regular vacuuming is a fantastic start in preserving carpet health. Beyond appearances, deep cleaning removes moisture, grime, and allergens missed by vacuuming.
It penetrates the foundation layers of the carpet where dirt and moisture usually collect. The mix of moisture and trapped particles without appropriate deep cleaning can rapidly cause mould development.
Deep carpet cleaning is best done using steam cleaning. Apart from sanitising and cleaning, the high-temperature of steam kills mould spores.
Still, this approach calls for appropriate drying following the treatment. Although steam cleaning momentarily increases moisture, when done professionally, the equipment removes almost all the water. This guarantees rapid drying of the carpet.
However, dry carpet cleaning techniques could be the safer choice if you live in an especially humid environment.
Specialised cleaning powders used in this method absorb dirt and moisture from the carpet fibres, therefore lowering the likelihood of mould growth.
This doesn’t leave any lingering wetness since it does not include water.
Preventative Measures You Can Take
Acting to prevent moisture from seeping into your carpets is better than dealing with a soaked one. This will help you avoid a lot of problems, including health issues.
A dehumidifier will help in rooms with high humidity. It’s a simple approach to reduce air’s moisture content, thereby preserving your carpets.
Particularly in basements, dehumidifiers notably help in cases of inadequate ventilation in the space.
There are simple techniques to boost air circulation and enable faster evaporation such as opening windows and running fans. Use fans or even an air conditioner to hasten the drying process.
When you leave your carpet damp for too long, you’re practically rolling out a red carpet for mould.
While vacuuming by itself cannot stop mould, it is a major part of your defence. It eliminates food particles, debris, and dust that can otherwise promote mould growth.
If you have pets or live in a humid area, aim to hoover at least once a week or more.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
If there’s one thing you should learn, it’s that time is of the essence.
Whether it’s a glass of water or a pet-related tragic incident, clean spills right away. Blot as much wetness as you can using absorbent towels, then let the area completely air dry.
Sometimes, even with your best efforts, you could come upon a mould issue too large for one person to manage. Professional carpet cleaning services can be quite useful in these situations.
When Mould Strikes: What to Do
If you see mould in your carpet, don’t worry.
With a combination of water and white vinegar or a mould-specific cleanser, small mould patches can be treated. After giving the afflicted region a thorough scrub, let it dry completely.
In some cases, you unfortunately have to replace the carpet if mould has crept well into it or over a sizable portion.
Although this is a more extreme action, sometimes this is the only way. Remember, your health comes first.
Once you remove the carpet, make sure the floor under is cleaned and sterilised to avoid new problems.
Conclusion About Avoiding Mould in Carpeted Areas
Although maintaining your carpet mold-free requires some work, the benefits are quite justified.
Mould formation can be avoided by routinely vacuuming, extensive carpet cleaning, and awareness of moisture levels.
The next time you enter your house, take a moment to enjoy the fresh clean aroma and relax, your carpet is no longer hiding any unpleasant surprises.