Mildew Stain Removal - Difference between Mold and Mildew

Overview
Remove Mildew Smell from Carpet
Remove Mildew Stains from Carpet
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COIT’s Guide on Mildew Stain Removal - History and Facts

When we hear the word “mildew”, there’s a slight tendency to cringe, right? It’s not the best word to hear, and it’s certainly not the easiest thing to clean.

But before we dig into mildew stain removal in more detail, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on with the mildew you encounter.

What is Mildew?

Mildew is a type of fungus that commonly grows on damp surfaces. It’s actually a specific type of mold that has a flat growth, and can be distinguished by two different types: downy and powdery mildew. So what’s the difference?

Types of Mildew

When downy mildew first appears, it tends to look yellow, then it brightens up and eventually becomes a more brownish color. Powdery mildew, on the other hand, first appears white, then gradually turns a yellow brown. It can end up appearing black as well. When you’re thinking about how to remove mildew stains in your home, it’s good to know what type of mildew you’re working with to make sure you don’t leave any behind.

What’s the Difference Between Mold & Mildew?

During your quest to find out how to remove mildew stains in your home, you may stumble across both mold and mildew. So what’s the difference?

First, mold and mildew are different species of fungi that grow on different surfaces. Mold is a type of fungi that attaches itself and feeds off the surfaces it clings to using its spores. It’s very important to limit your exposure to mold in your home, as it can cause allergies and respiratory problems. Mildew can be found on plants and in households, where it spends most of its time attaching itself to moist areas, like sinks, toilets, counters, showers and bathtubs.

Mildew Prevention Tips

Since mildew has been known to cause sinus infections, allergies, eye irritations and more, investing some energy into mildew prevention in your home is always a good idea for your health.

1. Be sure to check for areas in your home that could contain high amounts of moisture. Be aware of areas that are susceptible to mildew growth and be sure to monitor them closely with regular cleanings.

2. Change your air filter at least once a month to minimize humidity inside your home.

3. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. This filter will help you remove mold spores that may be lurking in hidden areas of your carpet.

4. Clean and dry the areas around your sink, toilet and shower, paying special attention to wiping down moisture right after very hot showers.

5. Dry damp clothing as quickly as possible.

By employing a few of these prevention tips in your home, you can decrease your chance of discovering pesky mildew. One less thing to worry about, right?

Remove Mildew Stains with Professional Cleaning

If you find that mildew has built up in your carpeting and do-it-yourself solutions don’t seem to work, give COIT carpet cleaning a call to get the deepest clean possible, using industrial strength equipment. Call your COIT representative to schedule a free evaluation today.

How to Remove Mildew Smell from Carpet

COIT's Guide on How to Remove Mildew Smell from Carpet

Whether you’re home alone or entertaining guests, having carpet that not only looks clean, but also smells clean is a definite must. If you happen to notice that an area of your carpet doesn’t smell pleasant, this may be a sign that mildew could be lurking above or below the surface.

In COIT’s step-by-step guide, learn a few different ways to remove mildew smell from carpet on your own.

How to Get Mildew Smell from Carpet – Method # 1

As soon as you discover the smell, begin to vacuum the affected area as soon as possible. If possible, use a large, more powerful vacuum instead of a small hand vacuum. This will help remove even more dust and dirt from the affected area.
Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of warm water. Be sure to not add too much vinegar, as you don’t want to create too strong of a vinegar smell in your home by over wetting the carpet.
Pour this vinegar and warm water solution into a spray bottle before applying to the carpet. This will ensure you don’t soak the carpet fibers, as this could cause new mildew deposits to form.
Next, pour a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the affected area of your carpet.
Give the carpet some time to dry before vacuuming the baking soda completely.

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How to Remove Mildew Smell from Carpet – Method # 2

Vacuum the carpet as soon as you discover the mildew smell.
Purchase a foam carpet shampoo at your local drug store.
Apply a generous amount of the carpet shampoo and rub it into the carpet using a sponge. Let the carpet sit for at least 20 minutes to dry.
Once the area of the carpet has dried, vacuum the carpet to finish.

How to Get Mildew Smell from Carpet Using Professional Cleaning

In most cases, it’s worth a shot to try and remove stains and smells from your carpet yourself. But if you try the above methods and still can’t seem to get rid of the unpleasant mildew odor, you may want to take a look at what the COIT team can do for you. COIT’s carpet cleaning professionals can remove ground in dirt and mold spores that could be causing these noticeable odors in your home. Going way beyond simple carpet shampooing, our truck-mounted cleaning system can perform deep-down extraction that can actually improve the smell and the quality of the air you breathe. Call COIT today to schedule an appointment and don't forget to checkout our coupons!

Remember to always do a spot removal test on a portion of carpet or upholstery that is normally not visible. These are suggested treatments only and COIT can't be held accountable for any damage sustained by use of the treatments in this spot removal guide.

How to Remove Mildew Stains from Carpet

COIT's Guide on How to Remove Mildew Stains from Carpet

We spend a lot of time on our carpets at home, right? We walk, we run, we lounge and make ourselves feel relaxed and comfortable.

But how comfortable can you be when you come face to face with a mildew stain on your carpet? It may not be the most enjoyable moment, to say the least. But have no fear, you can and will be able to remove mildew from carpet with a few tried and trusted methods. Check out COIT’s handy guide below to learn more.

How to Get Mildew Out of Carpet – Method # 1

It’s important to note that as soon as you discover any signs of a mildew stain, it’s best to tackle the problem head-on, right away. With mildew, time is of the essence, as the spores can become even more unpleasant the longer you leave them.

If you’re dealing with an area rug, bring the area rug outside. Otherwise, work with the carpet where you can.
Using a broom, sweep as much as the mildew out of the carpet as possible. The mildew should start to loosen and come out of the carpeting.
Immediately following this initial sweeping, vacuum the affected area. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag completely into an outdoor trash can as soon as you’ve thoroughly vacuumed the area.
Mix warm water and dishwashing detergent in a bowl to create a soapy mixture.
Using a sponge, repeatedly dab the area where mildew has been present to give it a thorough clean.
Though you may be tempted to point a fan directly on the spot so it dries faster, you’ll want to let your carpet dry on its own. If you blow a ceiling or floor fan directly onto the carpet, any spores that may still be present could be scattered to other parts of your home.

These 6 do-it-yourself steps should help you succeed in conquering the task of how to get mildew out of carpet.

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How to Remove Mildew from Carpet – Method # 2

Here’s another quick and easy way to keep your carpets mildew-free.

Mix together 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 5 parts water.
Apply this solution to a clean towel or rag that you can dispose of after using. Be sure to gently press the stain, working from the outside toward the inside.
Let the affected area of the carpet dry on its own.

Utilize Professional Carpet Cleaning Services

If you find that either of these above-mentioned solutions aren’t completely removing the mildew from your carpet, you may want to explore COIT’s carpet cleaning services. Using commercial-grade technology, our technicians can put your carpet through a professional treatment that digs way below the surface, removing mildew at its source. Call today to learn more about COIT’s 100% satisfaction guarantee and don't forget to checkout our coupons!