OH No! my house has a wet carpet smell. What should I do? Can I get rid of that awful smell or will I have to rip out all the carpet to have a nice smelling house again.
Don’t rip the carpet up yet, let us help you find a solution to show you how to get wet smells out of carpets.
If you live in a humid climate the look and feel of your floor coverings can be compromised and you may notice a wet carpet smell.
Keeping your carpet clean under these circumstances can cause you problems because carpets tend to trap odors. The good news is that there are options to eradicate those odors. Let’s have a look at reasons why your carpet is wet and how to get wet smells out of carpets.
Why Is There a Wet Carpet Smell?
There are four common carpet fiber types. They are: wool, polyester, ole-fin and nylon. Understanding which material your carpets are made from will help you to deal with a wet carpet smell:
- Wool Fibers: Wool is renewable and lauded for its Eco-friendly qualities, it looks fantastic and it can last for a long time. But, as a natural material it doesn’t have the manufactured resistance to stains in the other carpet materials.
- Polyester: This is a popular carpet fiber choice because it’s the most resistant to wear and tear and it has a luxury feel and look. Polyester rugs and carpets are also found in a wider range of styles and colors than other options.
- Olefin: Olefin is often used as a durable and water resistant floor covering in basements or outdoors. It resists moisture, mold and direct sunlight well.
- Nylon: Out of these four options nylon is the most durable and stain resistance carpet material if it’s been sprayed with a stain protector. This is a popular carpet material choice for families with smaller kids, pet owners and other busier homes. Nylon carpet fibers don’t hold bad odors as much as the other three types here, but strange odors are still a possibility.
Cleaning Carpets May Not Eliminate the Bad Odor
Cleaning dirt from your carpets is possible, but it’s much harder to remove a wet carpet smell and understanding the three common causes is helpful.
- Liquid Stains: Certain liquids like milk, wine and soft drinks can leave marks and odors on your carpet. Fast action is needed, if the stains are left too long, the smells tend to get worse over time. But, even if the marks are cleaned away those bad odors may remain.
- Pet Stains: We love our furry friends, but they are the cause of many carpet messes, and this is especially true if they are untrained. Some common causes of pet stains and the associated bad odors, include: fur balls, fur, dander, fluff, urine, feces, saliva and even vomit.These materials contain bacteria, they generate stubborn stains and they create a bad odor that’s hard to remove.
- Water Spills: Water has no inherent odor, but as it mixes with the carpet fibers it will make any lurking bacteria and odors worse. That wet carpet smell is often caused by the growth of mold and mildew caused by spills, leaks and flooding. The signs of mold can appear within a week and this is very hard to deal with. The mold growth will release spores that damage the carpet fabric, discolor the surface and cause health problems for vulnerable people in the home.
How To Get Wet Smell Out of Carpet-Five Ways
Improving Air Circulation:
To prevent the growth of mold and mildew the ideal humidity is 30-50%. At this level, the indoor air quality (IAQ) is also improved and if you have excess humidity, it can be removed in a number of ways, including: opening windows, using fans, running a dehumidifier and more.
Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning:
This is an excellent way to clean carpets and remove foul odors at the same time. Make a solution with 6 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of natural castile soap and 4 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Add this solution to a carpet cleaning machine that you can hire for the day. Follow the instructions for the machine carefully and test a small innocuous area first to check it’s working. This hydrogen peroxide cleaning solution can be poured in a spray bottle and used for spot cleaning too.
Baking Soda:
This is a natural cleaning agent and deodorizer and it works well on carpet fibers. Pour 1-2 cups in a bowl, add 10 drops of essential oils for each cup of baking soda used if you want a specific odor.
Sprinkle this mix on the carpets where you can detect a wet carpet smell. Then use a soft brush to push and distribute this baking soda mix into the carpet. Leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight if the odors are very bad.
Then use the vacuum cleaner to pick up the baking soda and go in different directions for optimal results. A cheap bagless vacuum cleaner won’t do a good job and you may want to hire or borrow a better one for the day.
Some excellent essential oils to add to the baking soda, include: citrus, eucalyptus and lavender. But, small children and pets may have a bad reaction to these odors and in these circumstances they should be avoided.
White Vinegar:
Mix 2 cups of water with 1 ounce of white vinegar and add this solution to a clean spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients well and spray the carpets in rooms where you can detect a wet carpet odor.
Any stains can be removed with a bristled brush. But don’t scrub too hard or you may damage the carpet fibers. Using fans and opening windows will speed up the drying times and help to remove the odors from your home. When the carpets or rugs are fully dry they can be vacuumed normally.
Carpet Shampooing:
Hire a carpet shampooing machine and follow the instructions carefully. Certain carpet shampoo brands are specifically formulated to remove odors and these should be high on your list of priorities. When you’ve finished the carpets must be fully dried and you can use portable fans to speed up this process.
Tips to remove mildew odor from carpet:
Four proven methods to remove mildew odors from carpets:
- Remove the Furniture: The area must be clear to improve airflow and the carpet needs to be as dry as possible. Move furniture and fittings to another room to make the following stages easier to complete.
- Vacuum the Carpet: There will be a buildup of dust in certain neglected areas. This can be removed with your vacuum cleaner.
- Ventilation: At this point, open the windows and doors to improve air circulation in the room. Removing stagnant air will decrease the likelihood of bad odors on carpet and other soft furnishings.
- Dehumidification: Use a dehumidifier to absorb excess volumes of moisture in the room. Repeat this process until you reach the point of diminishing returns. When you’re done, air out the room regularly and vacuum frequently.
How to Get Rid of Wet Carpet Smell in Your House-In Conclusion
So, don’t rush in and remove all your floor coverings. As you can see there are ways to solve the problem of the wet carpet smell. Give these a go before ripping up the carpet.
There is no need to suffer with a wet carpet smell or other problems caused by high humidity in your home. Following these simple tips and tricks will help you to create a healthier home environment for you and your family.