After carpets have been flooded they often leave behind a musty odor that can stink up your entire home. If the carpet was salvaged, and you were able to dry your carpets in time, your next battle will be the odor. Even if the water damage was minor, odor can run rampant for several reasons. DM Carpet Cleaning will share how to remove flood or water damage odors from out of your carpets.

Baking Soda Carpet Freshener

When it comes to removing any odor, nothing works better than baking soda. However baking soda isn’t the only step when removing bad odors. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the carpet. Make sure to be generous and cover the affected areas. For the best results, consider sprinkling the baking soda before you go to bed and then vacuum up the baking soda in the morning.

Vinegar on Carpet to Remove Odor

Next, if the odor remains or returns, get a spray bottle and mix together one cup of water and a cup of white wine vinegar into a spray bottle. Lightly mist down the carpet and all other fabrics in the room. Odor is actually microorganisms that are in the air and often they cling onto fabrics which will then hold in the odor. The vinegar can kill most microorganisms which help remove odors.

Cleaning & Drying Carpet After Water Damage

It’s also recommended you clean carpets after water exposure with a carpet cleaning machine. Look for a cleaning solution or product that targets water damage and matches your type of carpet. Make sure you follow the product directions and use proper carpet cleaning methods. After cleaning your carpet, avoid turning on your home’s HVAC system. Secondly, open windows and turn on all the fans to help remove all the moisture out of the carpet. Clean the walls, the furniture, and all other surfaces with the vinegar mixture to kill any remaining microorganisms that may be in the room. To help control odors long term in your home consider getting plants that can help reduce odors. Some recommended house plants that will help control odors are: Golden Pothos, English Ivy, Lady Palms, and Snake Plant. These are just a few. There are a number of house plants that can benefit your home.

Should Carpet Be Replaced After Water Damage

If odors remain after you have followed all of the above steps then you may want to consider mold. Carpets are the perfect breeding ground for mold and often preventing mold is the hardest battle we face after water damage. In most cases, it is best to remove the infected carpet and treat the entire area for mold before reinstalling new carpet. If mold is detected, pull the carpet and the padding and thoroughly clean the sub floor. You will need to replace the padding. However, sometimes the carpet can be reused which will reduce the cost.

Carpet Cleaning, Stain Removal & More in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Covington, Conyers, Loganville & Atlanta Georgia

If the water damage is severe, it is always best to contact a professional water damage restoration company. They will be able to remove the water, assess the damage, and properly treat the areas preventing mold and bad odors from occurring. If you have experienced flooding in your home, contact DM Carpet Cleaning. We provide water and flood damage services and can help restore your carpets and combat nasty odors in your home. Contact DM Carpet Cleaning today!