If you see black mold on your car carpet, don’t panic! Black mold is usually curable and not the cancer-causing toxic white version. It’s common to have it in homes with moisture issues and humid climates. You won’t be able to smell it but trust us, it’s there. Luckily, removing mold from carpet doesn’t have to be difficult and you should be able to do it with basic cleaning supplies and a little bit of time. Here are some tips on how to get mold out of your carpet without bleach.
How To Get Mold Out Of Carpet Without Bleach
1. Vacuum the moldy area
The first step is to vacuum the area with a HEPA filter vacuum. This will loosen up any mold spores that have attached themselves to your carpet. Just make sure you remove the vacuum bag or empty it immediately so you don’t spread the spores around.
2. Mix hot water and bleach in a spray bottle
Fill the spray bottle with hot water and then add 1/4 cup of bleach to it (yes, it will fizz). Shake well before spraying onto the moldy area. Be careful not to breathe in any of this mixture, as it can irritate your lungs and eyes. If you have pets or children, make sure they aren’t in the room when you use this mixture on your carpet! Now, spray directly onto the moldy area and let sit for five minutes. You may need to repeat this several times or leave it on overnight depending on how severe your mold problem is.
3. Use vinegar and baking soda solution to clean up after bleaching
After bleaching, use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water mixed with baking soda. Spray onto the affected area and let sit for 10 minutes before vacuuming again with a HEPA filter vacuum. This will neutralize any remaining bleach odor that may linger after cleaning up the mold.
4. Wash the area with a bleach-free laundry detergent
This is a trick we use at our own house to get rid of any moldy smell. Instead of using bleach to clean up, we use a bleach-free laundry detergent like Tide Pods or Downy Liquid Bleach Alternative. These products can be purchased with no scent, which makes them perfect for cleaning up mold on carpets. The strong scent of the detergent will neutralize any remaining bleach odor and make your carpets smell fresh again!
5. Spray the area with vinegar
After cleaning the area and neutralizing any bleach left over, spray the area with vinegar. Vinegar will kill mold spores and kill any lingering mold smell. Since vinegar doesn’t have a strong smell, it won’t bother you or your family members if you use it multiple times throughout the day.
6. Vacuum the area with a HEPA filter vacuum
After spraying vinegar on the carpet, vacuum up any remaining mold and debris from the carpet. If you have pets or children in your home, make sure they aren’t in the room when you vacuum as this can irritate their eyes and lungs.
Vinegar And Bicarbonate Of Soda Solution
- Mix a solution of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) or white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray over the moldy areas and let it sit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, scrub the moldy spots with a brush or old toothbrush.
- Rinse the area with water and let it dry completely before vacuuming to remove all the dirt and debris.
- Vacuum up all the loose dirt, dust, and hair around your carpet to make sure you have removed all of it from your carpet entirely.
- Now you can re-apply the solution on your carpet if you see any black spots that are not gone entirely on your carpet yet or use a bleach solution instead if you want to eliminate all of your mold spores from your carpets at once.
Bleach Treatment
- Take a bottle of bleach and spray it on the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then scrub the mold with a stiff brush.
- Then rinse off all the bleach with warm water.
- Repeat this process two more times, making sure to let each time soak for 30 minutes before scrubbing it off again with a stiff brush, rinse again, and dry off all the areas you cleaned with a towel or air dryer.
- After that, vacuum up any remaining mold spores in your carpet by using an upholstery attachment or a small hand broom to clean up around the stains where mold was found.
- If there are still black spots after you’ve cleaned up all of your carpets, apply another layer of bleach to them and let them sit overnight. This will kill any remaining spores that may be hiding in those areas so you can get rid of them during your next cleaning session.
Bleach-Free Treatment
- Spray the area with a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part baking soda. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then scrub the mold with a stiff brush.
- Rinse off all the peroxide and baking soda with cool water. Make sure to let the area dry completely before you vacuum it up. It’s also important to keep in mind that using peroxide on your carpet may damage it if you don’t use protection, so be careful when using it on carpets!
- Repeat this process two more times, making sure to let each time soak for 30 minutes before scrubbing it off again with a stiff brush, rinse again, and dry off all the areas you cleaned with a towel or air dryer.
- If there are still black spots after you’ve cleaned up all of your carpets, apply another layer of peroxide and baking soda to them and let them sit overnight. This will kill any remaining spores that may be hiding in those areas so you can get rid of them during your next cleaning session.
- If you have a lot of black mold on the carpet, then it’s time to call the professionals! They will be able to get rid of it for you with professional equipment and supplies on-site.
Conclusion
Mold is a common issue that can affect almost any household. It can grow on any surface, including your car’s carpet. When you notice mold on your car’s carpet, you’ll want to clean it as quickly as possible. To get rid of it, you’ll want to follow a two-step process. First, you’ll want to remove any excess dirt and moisture. Next, you’ll want to clean and sanitize the area using a cleaning solution. With these steps, you should be able to completely remove the mold from your car’s carpet in no time at all.