Mold is bad news, no matter where it is in your home. For most homeowners, a damp basement is prime suspect #1 when it comes to predicting where mold is most likely to take root, but carpets are close behind: reason being that carpets are havens for dirt and dust, two substances that mold thrives on. So how best to prevent your carpets from getting moldy? Here are five tips from the experts at A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning in Littleton.
Go Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial carpet padding (aka “rubber-slab carpet padding”) is resistant to mold, bacteria, and other sinister substances. It’s pricier than standard carpet padding but provides a significant upside, especially if you live in a high-humidity area. When you’re ready to install new carpeting, we recommend going this route.
Vacuum and Clean Your Carpets Regularly
A little vacuuming goes a long way – especially if you get in the habit of regularly vacuuming your home’s carpet. When too much dirt and dust are allowed to collect on carpet, they’re better able to trap moisture amongst the carpet fibers. And moisture, as well all know, is a prime ingredient for mold. Along with vacuuming on a regular basis, stick to a periodic carpet cleaning schedule. And when you do have your carpets cleaned, employ a “dry form” of cleaning that allows you to reduce the amount of moisture the carpet is exposed to.
Monitor Your Home’s Humidity Level
Water might be the primary ingredient needed for mold to thrive, but heat and humidity are close behind. We recommend maintaining a sub-60% indoor humidity level, since this will hamper mold spore reproduction. The more humid an environment, the easier it is for these spores to spawn. If your town is notoriously high in humidity, thus making it almost impossible to keep your home’s humidity level below 60%, there are two things you can do: 1) always keep your home’s temperature below 80 degrees, and 2) use dehumidifiers in as many rooms as possible.
No Standing Water
One of the main reasons why mold is such a problem is the fact that it requires only a short amount of time (1 -2 days) and a small amount of water in which to grow. Therefore, regardless of how much standing water you may have in your home – ranging from a simple spill to flood damage – you should get rid of the standing water and dry the carpet as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to check your carpet padding. Depending on the amount of standing water you incur, you may need to replace the carpet and padding to ensure your home is mold-free.
Don’t Carpet High-humidity Areas
This last tip is straightforward: avoid carpeting areas prone to standing water, i.e. your basement, bathrooms, and laundry room. Instead, tile these areas so mold can’t get comfortable.
Find out why Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning is the choice for carpet cleaning services near Littleton. Contact us today for additional mold prevention tips, and to make a service appointment.
