Use Lemon Juice For A Fresh Fragrance
If you are struggling with how to clean smelly carpet, lemon juice is the way to go. Not only is it a fantastic disinfectant, but it smells fresh, clean, and much better than vinegar. There are multiple ways to use this natural mold remover depending on the level of cleanup required on your carpet. Here is a wonderful carpet cleaning recipe.
- cup of lemon juice
- ¼ cup of vinegar
After combining the ingredients, add them to a carpet cleaner for a full-floor wash. For tough to remove patches of mold, create a paste using a ½ cup of lemon juice and a ¼ cup of salt instead.
Using a toothbrush, scrub the moldy carpet until the particles loosen from the carpet fibers. Blot any wet areas until dry, then vacuum.
For Extra Stubborn Odors: Call The Professionals
When all else fails, call the professionals of ServiceMaster by Mason to remove the musty smell and mildew from your carpet.
While many stains, mold damage, and musty odors can be removed with products at home, others will need some extra effort.
If you feel that you have exhausted all efforts, or just dont want to deal with it, you can call on mold remediation professionals. These technicians will apply commercial grade products, using personal protection equipment to get rid of the mildew and musty smell from the carpet once and for all.
They will also use a truck-mounted system to clean the carpets professionally, removing the embedded mold spores and debris to restore a like-new look to the carpet. Finally, they can provide the peace of mind of not having to worry about the threat of mildew returning to bring back that musty smell.
S In Removing Boat Carpet Mold
While most marketed boat carpets arrive at you readily pretreated to prevent mold growth, this treatment can wear off with time, allowing colonies to begin and build up. With the constant supply of moisture in the open water, the damage from these mold colonies can lead to a fast pace depreciation of the boat, then leading to your boats early retirement.
To keep these floating spores from decommissioning your floating investments, heres how you can get rid of mold growing in your boat carpet.
Don’t Miss: Register Boat Colorado
How To Get Mold Out Of Carpet With Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a wonderful additive that is used in insect repellent recipes and acne treatments alike, in addition to numerous other uses. A natural anti-fungal cleaning agent, tea tree oil is a fantastic way to get rid of mold in carpet, mattresses, or on bathroom tiles and grout.
The smell of tea tree oil is strong, which can be a blessing when that moldy carpet really starts to smell of musty odors. If the oils fragrance is not your cup of tea, the smell usually fades after a day or so.
- 1 spray bottle
Add the tea tree oil to the water in a large spray bottle. Shake the bottle well, then spray the infected area. Instead of rinsing, let the solution dry on its own.
This mixture of tea tree oil is non-toxic and perfect for families with pets. High concentrations of the oil can be harmful if consumed in larger quantities, however, so it is imperative to keep the bottles out of reach of pets and small children as you would with any household cleaning agent.
Better Boat Carpet Cleaning Habits
Cleaning your carpet can be much simpler than you might think. To start cleaning your carpet, use a sturdy brush to clear out any debris thats accumulated over time. This can include anything from small rocks to leaves and buds that have fallen in the boat. Next, use a Boat Cleaner mixed with water, and wash the carpet directly. The best way to apply this solution is to use a brush or spongethough a large brush will make quicker work of the carpet.
After some time, vacuum out the carpet to help it dry out, then leave the boat somewhere protected where it can continue to dry out. This prevents the accumulation of mold and helps to ensure a full, odor-free recovery. If you do continue to have odor or mildew problems, try our Mildew Remover on the affected area. The last step? Enjoy your odor-free boat carpet with a quick trip out on the water!
Recommended Reading: How To Look Up Boat Hull Numbers
Prevent Mold By Reducing The Likelihood Of Damp Conditions
Mold thrives when boats are closed up. Air that is trapped inside holds moisture that cant escape. And with water, air and hull temperatures changing at different rates, condensation forms. Add people living on board and theres even a higher chance for moisture.
There are a couple major actions a boat owner can take to prevent damp. You can either use a dehumidifier and/or maximize ventilation.
A dehumidifier reduces the level of humidity in the air allowing the boat to dry out.
Dehumidifiers work well when a boat is sealed up and left unattended. Many boat owners reduce humidity by using the boats air-conditioning system or you can set up a stand-alone dehumidifier in the galley sink or place one in the bilge so that the water run-off can exit the boat.
The key with dehumidifiers is that the boat must be well sealed. The objective is to take the moisture out of the air within the boat to reduce the likelihood of damp.
The other major action you can take to minimize damp is to make sure the air within the boat is circulated
This can be done by ensuring the boat is well ventilated in addition to having electric vents or fans move the air around.
The ultimate aim, therefore, is to remove the moisture in the air and/or constantly circulate the air so that the possibility for dampness is eliminated.
This leads us to the third main priority to prevent mold and mildew
Boaters Edge Mold And Mildew Stain Remover
One of the secrets to how to protect boat carpets is to get rid of mold and mildew. This product focuses on mold removal, which gives it an edge in the world of cleaners.
The first feature that impressed me is the alkaline formula which targets mold and mildew stains easily. If we have a huge mold problem or want to clean the interior of a boat that hasnt been used for years, a product like this is worth considering. Compared to other cleaners, it targets stubborn stains lifting ground-in dirt to the surface so we can wipe it away quickly.
Another thing I noticed is that the product can be used for multiple applications, whether indoor or outdoor. From wood to concrete to roofs and other upholstery, the spray works well with almost any surface. This is all without harming the stitching or threads on fabrics.
Considering that it is one of the popular starbrite boat carpet cleaners in the market, you can be sure of its quality. Star Brite has been manufacturing cleaners since the 1970s, so they are reliable. In addition, this particular cleaner includes surfactants that remove grease and grime upon contact.
When it comes to user-friendliness, I love the nice black bottle with an easy-to-use nozzle. All I have to do is spray, scrub lightly and rinse off.
- Able to remove mold and mildew easily
- Safe for use on multiple surfaces, including concrete and upholstery
- Made by a legitimate company, Star Brite
- Uses surfactant, which removes grease and grime
- Easy to use nozzle and spray
Read Also: Who Owns Freedom Boat Club
Open Windows For Good Ventilation And Lower Humidity Levels
Never underestimate the power of proper ventilation. Sometimes cleaning mold from carpets requires more than getting rid of the patches of green you see on the floor. Mold is always in the air, so cleaning it while allowing the same conditions that caused it to persist only makes more work for you.
Keeping an area well-ventilated and free of moisture is the best way to prevent mold from returning. There are many ways to reduce humidity in the home. Something as simple as lowering the room temperature by a couple of degrees or leaving open windows to circulate air can help.
If you are unsure about the moisture level in your home, moisture meters are available to monitor the humidity. High humidity means more moisture in the air, providing the perfect conditions for mold to thrive.
Whether you enjoy the heat or are trying to conserve on energy costs, the humidity should be kept below 55%. This prevents moisture from settling in the air and eventually seeping its way into your carpet.
How To Dry Wet Carpet
There are numerous ways how to dry wet carpet. We will discuss a couple of those methods below.
Blotting the carpet dry for small areas of wet carpet, for example caused by someone spilling a glass of water the best way to dry it up and help prevent mold or mildew growth is blotting it dry with a towel. Be sure not to use a towel that has not been washed before because it could transfer coloring to the carpet. By blotting the carpet dry you will help soak up the excess moisture and allow the carpet to air dry. To assist with the drying process you can open windows or move a dehumidifier into the room.Carpet Blowers You can rent for a reasonable fee a carpet blower, which really is simply a high powered fan that is angled to the ground. This creates air circulation that helps effectively dry the carpet.Wet/Dry Vacs A wet dry vac can be used to help extract water from the carpeting if you catch it early enough. On a similar note you can also use a carpet cleaner that usually has a water extraction feature. Both methods are effective for carpet water removal.
Don’t Miss: Does Geico Boat Insurance Cover Engine Damage
How To Remove Black Mold From Carpet
Before starting the removal of the mold and disinfecting of the area, youll want to use safety gear to protect yourself. It is important to wear a medium or high-efficiency filter dust mask to reduce the possibility of inhaling mildew spores. The clothing worn during a clean-up should cover your entire body and be easily removable and cleaned. It is recommended that rubber gloves and goggles be worn during mold removal. Please dispose of these items after using them in a fungus infested area.Step 1: Begin by slightly dampening the affected area. This will make it more difficult for the mildew spores to travel to other places during the removal process.
Step 2: If removing mold from under the carpet, lift up the carpet to examine the padding and flooring below. If the padding is moldy, discard and replace it. Using a stiff scrubbing brush, apply a soap and water mixture to the area. Scrub the area thoroughly until all of the residue from the mold is removed. You will want to clean the flooring below the carpet in the same manner, scrubbing it with the soapy water mixture.
Step 3: Next, using a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part household bleach, disinfect the mold-affected area. Household bleach is fungicidal, which means that it will kill the mould. After disinfection, rinse the affected area thoroughly with hot water.
Spray Nine 32 Oz Marine Cleaner
When it comes to cleaning bass boat carpets or vinyl carpets, the marine cleaner by Spray Nine is one of the most popular in the market. The cleanser is ideal for use on more challenging surfaces that traditional carpet cleaners may not handle.
The first thing that impressed me about this cleaner is that it acts as a disinfectant. The agent can also wash away stubborn algae and scum, which are the bane of every boater. You can also say goodbye to mold and mildew thanks to this powerful cleaner.
For more stubborn stains like dirt, oil, grease, and grime, this product also shines. I used it for cleaning boat carpets above and below the deck, and it worked fine on these non-porous surfaces. I believe it is a good alternative to hydrochloric acid, which removes hard stains without any abrasives.
Since the product works on different surfaces, it is pretty versatile. We can use it for carpet on boat trailer bunks, boat covers, camping equipment, trailers, fiberglass, bait buckets, and sporting equipment.
- Acts as a disinfectant, getting rid of germs and bacteria
- Removes mold, mildew, and algae
- Gets rid of oil and grease stains
- Good alternative to hydrochloric acid, as it removes hard stains without abrasives
- Ideal for multiple uses, both indoor and outdoor
- Strong bleaching abilities that could cause discoloration
Read Also: Clean Mildew Off Boat Seats
Why Is Carpet Mold A Serious Problem
Mold in your house has a serious negative effect on air quality. Inhaling mold spores could lead to health problems, especially in people who are sensitive to mold. The Centers for Disease Control found that people with mold sensitivity can experience upper respiratory symptoms, increased asthma symptoms and eye irritation when exposed to mold and mold spores. The World Health Organization examined multiple studies and found a correlation between the presence of mold and respiratory symptoms, as well as more severe asthma symptoms. Mold spores can also trigger allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies. This makes carpet mold especially problematic since children often play on the floor, and simply walking on moldy carpet can send spores into the air.
Mold also causes problems not directly related to health. The musty mildew odor associated with mold can spread throughout your entire house. Mold also causes damage to the surfaces it grows on. Mold trapped under a carpet could end up damaging the floor or baseboards.
Use A Homemade Carpet Cleaner
Before you consider spending extra cash on commercial cleaners, you might want to consider a homemade carpet cleaner. These cleaning solutions are made from simple household materials that are mixed based on the type of stain you are facing.
Here are the best homemade cleaners for use on boat carpets:
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Dye Stains From Vinyl Boat Seats
Option : Car Or Boat Wash
If you live in an area where boating is popular, theres a good chance youll have car washes that also do cleaning services for boats, or dedicated boat wash companies. Take advantage.
- Pros: Easy, convenient, cheap
- Cons: Pressure can cause holes in carpet, unknown detergents can cause dryness/brittleness over time, size of wash bay may not be adequate
How To Get Mold Out Of Your Carpet For Good
If you have mold in your house, it is vital to remove it as soon as possible. Mold spores may cause serious health problems. On hard surfaces like metal or concrete, scrubbing it with a cleaning solution will get rid of the mold. But if mold shows up on your carpet or rug, removing the mold will not be as easy. Mold and mold spores can be as small as three microns, according to the University of Central Florida. That means the mold gets into the tiniest spaces in soft surfaces like wood or carpeting, and scrubbing will not remove or eliminate the spores.
To remove mold from carpet, you may need some specialized cleaning techniques. Here are some of the different cleaning methods and chemicals that can be used to get mold out of a carpet. We will also cover how to find out which one will work best for you
You May Like: Resale Value Of Pontoon Boats
Would You Like Even More Valuable How
If you like the straight-to-the-point easy-to-use information that I provide, consider purchasing one or all of my sailing/sailboat guides. My aim is to make it easier to get out sailing. The industry is full of disingenuous marine sales people eager to take money from newbiessalty sea dogs make youngsters feel awkward because they dont know a particular sailing termand sailing books are full of complicated equations, charts and explanations.
I make things simple. I help readers to avoid being conned, feeling awkward and/or wasting time! AndI write about ways for you to make it easier to get out sailing. Enough said check out my sailing guides now.
Try A Deep Cleaning Via Hand Scrubbing
All the methods above are suitable for the timely cleaning of your carpet. However, some forms of dirt might find their way so deep into the fabric of the carpet that a vacuum might not be able to clean it up.
Therefore, you should do a thorough cleaning two to three times a year to keep it in its best shape.
One of the best ways to deep clean is through old-fashioned and scrubbing. True, it requires a lot of energy to achieve your aim. But you know what? It always gets the job done!
You need to follow these steps to get the most out of your hand scrubbing:
You May Like: How Do I Register My Boat In Colorado
