Why Water May Actually Harm Your Carpet

Carpet is a wonderful addition to any home. The padding underneath makes carpet extremely soft to walk on. The problem is when you spill on your carpet, the liquid seeps through into the carpet backing. The carpet and backing can take days to dry. Excessive water in your carpet backing can promote the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. In fact, if you do not dry your carpet within 24-48 hours of a water spill, bacteria will grow.

How do I know if mold is in my carpet? 

The obvious answer is to first check for visible signs of mold in your carpet. Next, simply smell your carpet where you remember there was a spill. If it smells like mold or mildew, then you probably know it is in your backing or padding.

Tips to help avoid mold and bacteria growth in your carpet:  

1. Avoid steam cleaning: Steam cleaning your carpet can drive the moisture and soil even deeper into your backing and padding. Instead, Chem-Dry believes in using a carbonation extraction process, which leaves your carpet drier and cleaner. Learn more about the HCE process.
2. Avoid installing carpet in frequent, high moisture areas: Do not install carpet in areas that are subject to high moisture such as basements or bathrooms.
3. Dry completely: Make sure to thoroughly dry your carpet after a spill. Use a towel to soak the first layer, then place a fan to air dry the rest.