Wet Carpet Smell Elimination

If any area of your home is affected by an unyielding wet carpet smell, you’re undoubtedly looking for an effective way to remedy the problem permanently. Unfortunately, having a damp carpet isn’t the same as having a dusty one. Dry carpet vacuum cleaners cannot be of any help. Depending on how terrible the flooded or soaked carpet is, you may or may not be able to keep it.

A great deal will depend on how the carpet has flooded. A small amount of seepage on a rug may be salvageable, but a sewage-contaminated rug will need to be disposed of.  You may clean the carpet and rug if the damage is less severe. However, watch out for any potential health issues that may develop.

Flooded Carpet Drying

Wet carpet is difficult to clean, and ensuring no mildew growth and odour troubles is a huge challenge. Due to the health risks associated with damaged flood carpets, you should always wear rubber gloves and a protective mask while cleaning the carpets.

First, you can remove the wet carpet from the floor. And if the carpet is not glued down, roll it up and place it outside, into a garage or onto a terrace. Then, if it is stapled or tacked, first remove the staples.

Next, if the carpet is wall to wall and too heavy to move outside, use old chairs or workhorses and prop it up so the air can flow from bottom to top.

If you cannot remove the carpets from the floor, you will necessitate renting or buying a commercial-sized wet-dry shop vac. This will let you suck up most of the water out of the carpets. It is a slow process but a very efficient one.

Remember that your carpets most likely have underlay, which is among the most significant troubles for odour. It’s also the least expensive piece to replace. Take away the old underlay and replace it with a new pad. Use your shop vac to pull out all the water and moisture if you cannot remove it.

Cleaning Wet Carpet Smell

When you remove all the water from the carpets, you will have to clean the carpets too. You can do this yourself or have a professional carpet cleaner take care of it. You will desire to use a good quality cleaning detergent and a sanitiser. A commercial-strength product is ideal for eliminating moulds, mildew, and bacteria. Ammonia works fine and is very economical to buy.

If you’ve removed the rugs from the house, use a garden hose to thoroughly soak them. Start at one end and sweep back and forth across the rug to ensure even coverage and cleaning. Go over the wash and rinse cycle until the water runs clean and there aren’t any further signs of dirt or debris.

When you have washed the carpet, it is essential to dry it as quickly as possible to avoid mildew from forming. One successful technique is with large fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters. Use your fans and heaters and your wet and dry shop vac to suck as much water as possible.

Drying Carpet

Even fans with no heat aid will continuously move the air causing the drying to happen more rapidly. Of course, if you can provide far better heat. The quicker you can dry the carpet, the better. Before placing it back on the floor, you must also ensure it is thoroughly dried. Just being a little damp can cause a mildew dilemma.

Additionally, before placing the carpet back on the floor, wash and disinfect the floor. This will prevent mildew and odour from developing. Dry the floor as much as possible with an air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove the moisture.

Apply a commercial-grade disinfectant to get rid of and prevent odours from developing. White vinegar is also helpful; sprinkle baking soda and excellent ground coffee if the carpet is dry. Vacuum up at a later date. Bear in mind to wear gloves and a mask to protect your health.

Once the water and wet carpet smell are removed, continue using your carpet with no odours or danger to your health.

Call Steam ‘n’ Dry Flood Auckland Services for a wet carpet smell removal at 0800 783 266.

Updated Last: 10 September 2024 By Graeme Stephens