Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Is there any way to get a musty mold smell out of carpet? The roof leaked at my job. We just moved into a new building (5000 sq. ft.). It is all carpet. The roof leaked in the back corner and a 2ft. by 3ft. area got wet. We dried up the carpet, but the odor is still in the store. What (if anything) can we do to get rid of he smell? Our building has been empty for years. We are a thrift store. Thank you.

By Helen from Oroville, CA

Answers: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

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By 05/11/2010

Twenty Mule Team Borax works well to remove odors purchased from the Hispanic Grocery. Sprinkle evenly and med. coverage, let dry if damp, then vaccuum off, but wear a disposable face mask taping the edges to prevent breathing the dust, and do this with good ventilation. I've left it on my carpets for two weeks before vacuuming it off and it's working great to this day.

God bless and help you. : )

By 05/11/2010

Besides drying it out did you have that area professionally cleaned? Is there padding?

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Removing Odor from Carpet

How do I get rid of bad carpet odor caused by a water leak?

By Carol

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Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

The washing machine overflowed with water running into the hallway carpet before the teenage daughter noticed. The carpet seems to be dry now, but it has left a bad musty sour smell. What can I do to get rid of the smell?

Penny from Australia

RE: Removing Mustry Odor On Flooded Carpet

Ammonia works well. You can put some in a cup or container in the corner. I would try putting some on the carpet itself. I use ammonia with washing detergent to get the musty, moldly odors out of clothes. (01/20/2005)

By glacre

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Vinegar also works good, I used Windex and vinegar in mine. Just basically covered the carpet so that it's barely damp, and just repeat till the smell is gone. (01/19/2008)

By Cassie

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Carpet has a mat underneath and it could be mildewed. You should borrow a carpet cleaner or rent one because that can make you sick. Steam clean with either Tide with Febreze in it, or a very good carpet shampoo that advertises pet odor on it. Make sure you suck all the water back out so it doesn't stay wet long, and put fans on. If you pull up the carpet and there is mildew on the mat, you probably should discard it. (08/01/2009)

By KATIE55

Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

I had a roof leak and rain water entered down my wall to the floor. I rented a carpet steamer to get the water out of the carpet and pad. It smells really bad. I pulled the carpet back to let the pad dry out, but it really has a bad odor. How do I get rid of this odor?

By Keith from New Orleans

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

I work at a floor covering store. First of all, you will need to totally remove the pad. The pad will hold in moisture and mold. Next, you will need a restoration company, such as Service Master, to come in to clean and deodorize your carpet. Then, contact your local floor covering store and have them come out and install new pad and re-install your carpet. This is only way to properly get rid of the smell. (01/29/2010)

By vickster

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Why not call a company that does fire/flood restoration? They would probably be better able to help you. (01/29/2010)

By Indianone

Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Due to a bad storm, I had 2 rooms flood. I have dried out the carpet in both areas, but the mould smell is still very strong. How do I remove the smell without removing the carpet?

By Lesley Ann from Perth, Western Australia

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

You need new carpet or new flooring, good luck. (03/27/2010)

By kffrmw88

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

You can't. Mold is toxic, and can ruin your health for years. Bite the bullet and get rid of the carpets. There is no price on health. Cover your face with good mask and another cloth when removing and seal off rooms so mold doesn't migrate through the air. Vacuum immediately and throw out bags or wash out vacuum. Fill the canister outside. (03/27/2010)

By PIKKA

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

When removing the carpet is not an option at this time, we found that trays of kitty litter will absorb the odour. Just keep replacing it and don't let any cats in the area. (03/28/2010)

By revylady

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

If and this is a big if. If you have a concrete driveway and lots of warm weather coming, pull carpet up and bring outside. Flip upside down so the sun can hit the back for a while (if it's black dump it).

Throw out the padding. Meanwhile you will need to clean the floor, use bleach if possible. Vinegar will also help. You may need to seal the floor if it has soaked in smell wise.

Use a good mask not the cheapy white ones and a stiff brush to back of rug (not wet). Vacuum up afterwards (toss the bag do not bring in house). Take a mild solution of bleach water and scrub small section at a time on the back of the carpet, use towels to dry out as much as possible, again let dry out completely.

Flip over to check the front how is it smelling? You can try using a carpet shampooer with vinegar (not soap). Then use cement blocks or something to raise carpet up (use boards to keep it straight). Rotate the carpet after a few hours so the area that has the boards is able to dry.

If the carpet smells OK toss down baking soda and let sit a day or so then vac. Reinstall with new padding. It is very possible that you may still have a smell on damp days. (03/29/2010)

By HSLINKS

RE: Removing Musty Odor On Flooded Carpet

Go to your janitorial supply store and get an enzyme carpet shampoo. Follow the instructions and clean twice with the shampoo. When finished place fans around the room to help it dry faster. The enzymes eat the bacteria and the mold that are causing the odor. (03/31/2010)

By lostinthe