How to Stop Mold After Water Damage to the Carpet

Shovel and scoop any mud or debris from your carpet. Spray down with a water hose as you work to aid in collection of the trash. Take any furnishings, such as tables, chairs and couches, out of the room as well.

Suck up the water using a water extraction machine or wet/dry vacuum. Remove as much water as possible with the carpet in place and dispose of the water, as it may be contaminated with mold.

Pull up the carpeting present after removing debris and most of the water. Roll it up and remove it from the house, then pull up and remove the carpet padding beneath. Discard the soggy pad, as it tends to disintegrate with moisture. Save the carpet, to be cleaned and dried before replacement, as long as you can clean it within 48 hours and sewage water did not flood the floor, advises the University of California at Irvine.

Mix a solution of 1/4 to 1/2 cup bleach with a gallon of water and spray across the subflooring where flood waters were present, as well as any wood trim along the edge of the floor. Use this solution to kill mold and mold spores or sanitize when dirty, contaminated waters invaded your home, suggests the Minnesota Department of Health. Brush bleach water into cracks and crevices as well to thoroughly clean.

Clean any carpets you plan to reinstall, using a steam cleaner. Reinstall, then vacuum. Clean with a steam cleaner once again, then vacuum again, suggests UC Irvine. Continue running dehumidifiers and fans to speed carpet drying.

Monitor your carpets following the cleaning, noting if any musty smell arises. Combat this odor by sprinkling carpets with baking soda and working it into the carpet fibers with a brush or broom. Leave the baking soda overnight before vacuuming thoroughly to remove.