Getting mould out of carpet

Mould can strike even the tidiest and cleanest homes, but once it’s taken hold it can be tricky to get rid of.

Butler Carpet Cleaning are experts in getting rid of mould from your carpets, but we’ve also got some hints and tips on how to prevent it coming back again.

So, what exactly is mould?

Mould is part of a group of organisms called FUNGI, that is virtually in all environments both indoors and outdoors.

Mould produces tiny “spores”(ten microns) which can be transferred by air movements to settle onto other surfaces and to spread throughout your home.

Sometimes the first signs of mould growth are not visible, but you can smell a damp, musty odour.

Just because is not visible does not mean that mould growth is not in progress.

What are the health risks of mould on carpets?

The main risks are for people who suffer from asthma or other breathing conditions.

Mould produces tiny spores that are carried in the air, and inhaling these spores can lead to increased asthma symptoms – eye and nose irritation, and in severe cases upper respiratory symptoms.

Mould can be highly toxic, and reactions can be severe, especially for children, seniors, and pregnant women.

The longer you’re exposed to mould, the greater the likelihood of developing serious chronic symptoms or even serious infection, so if you think you have mould in your home or workplace you should act straight away.

How does mould grow on carpets?

Carpeting is an area of the home that can be the perfect environment for mould growth if the conditions are right.

In order for mould to grow, it requires moisture, oxygen and a food source.

If the mould spores that are carried in the air run find wet or damp carpets that contain dust for them to feed on, mould growth will soon be present.

1. Needs Moisture – Moisture can be wet or damp carpet. This may occur after a leaking pipe, a washing machine overflow or a window open during rain.
2. Food Source – Mould colonies get their food source from any organic matter. Fabrics, carpet, dust, dirt, soil, and carpet backings. As you can see carpet can be a supply of smorgasbord for mould.
3. Warmth – Mould grows best between 25℃ to 30℃ a warm, humid environment. Mould, therefore, by seasonal conditions will occur more often in winter. There is more moisture in the air during winter and by turning on the heater and closing the windows in your home, this will increase the humidity, therefore making the perfect moist environment for mould growth.

How do I get rid of mould from carpet?

Firstly, we must dry the carpets completely. By doing this we are eliminating the moisture factor. This is performed by using extraction machines that extract excess water laying on top of the carpet if flooded or just wet carpet. By doing this we are drying the carpet right through to the fibres.

Secondly, we must dry the backing of the carpet, the underlay and sub-flooring. This is done by strategically setting up turbo drying machines in combination with maxi-dehumidifiers. This restoration process will drain all moisture from all levels of flooring.

Once the carpet is completely dry, we then disinfect the carpet with micro-organism decontaminant solution. This powerful anti-microbial solution has a lethal capacity against micro-organisms, especially mould.

How do I stop mould from coming back?

The best way to prevent mould growth is by reducing the amount of moisture or dampness from inside your home. This can be done by

1. Repair all water leaks, fix any broken roof tiles, clear blocked gutters, repair any leaking pipes
2. Increase ventilation – Open windows for cross ventilation, installing exhaust fans in high moisture areas such as kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.
3. Reduce Humidity – Reduce the amount of usage of the clothes dryer by hanging clothes outside.
4. If there are no exhaust fans in the bathroom, shower with open window and try reducing the heat of shower. HOT SHOWER = HUMID AIR!
5. Get a dehumidifier – These are a great investment; you will reduce the amount of time you use air conditioning because the dehumidifier is helping keep the humidity levels lower, therefore saving you money on cooling bills.

Don’t just get any carpet cleaning company.

Get the best, CONTACT BUTLER’S NOW!