A musty, damp carpet can make your entire home feel unclean. Even after a spill has dried or a flood has been cleared, that lingering mildew smell remains—making it uncomfortable for you, your family, and your guests. Knowing how to get mildew smell out of carpet requires more than just a quick spray of deodorizer. It takes deep cleaning, the right tools, and sometimes professional help to completely eliminate the odor at its source.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven ways to remove mildew odor from your carpet for good. Whether you’re dealing with a recent spill, past water damage, or high humidity issues, these steps will help restore freshness to your flooring.
What Causes Mildew Smell in Carpet?
Mildew is a type of fungus that thrives in moist, dark environments. When water seeps into carpet fibers and padding—and doesn’t dry quickly—it creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew. Spilled drinks, pet accidents, leaky plumbing, and flooded basements are all common causes.
Mildew smells can persist because the carpet’s padding, backing, or subfloor has absorbed moisture. If not dried and treated properly, even small damp spots can harbor mold spores that produce that signature musty odor.
Step One: Identify and Dry the Source
Before treating the smell, you need to figure out what caused it. Has your home recently experienced high humidity? Was there a leak, spill, or basement flood? Find the original source of the moisture and address it.
Once that’s done, focus on drying the affected carpet thoroughly. Use fans, open windows, and a dehumidifier to lower humidity and increase air flow. For more serious situations, a wet/dry vacuum can help pull water out of the carpet fibers.
Lift up the carpet if needed to check underneath. If the padding is still damp, you may need to replace it. Padding holds moisture more than the surface layer and is a common culprit behind recurring mildew smells.
DIY Natural Solutions to Remove Mildew Smell
You don’t always need harsh chemicals to get rid of mildew odors. Here are some safe, effective home remedies:
Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the dry carpet. Let it sit for at least 12 hours (overnight is ideal). Baking soda absorbs odor and moisture. After it sits, vacuum thoroughly.
White Vinegar and Water Spray: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the affected area—don’t saturate. Let it air dry. Vinegar kills mold spores and neutralizes odors.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: For persistent smells, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water. Test in an inconspicuous area first. Lightly spray and allow to dry. This helps disinfect and deodorize.
Essential Oils: Add a few drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, or lavender oil to your vinegar spray. These oils have natural antifungal and antimicrobial properties and leave a pleasant scent.
Deep Cleaning Techniques for Tough Mildew Smells
Sometimes the smell is too embedded for light remedies. If baking soda and vinegar don’t work, it’s time to deep clean.
Carpet Shampooing: Use a carpet cleaner with a water extraction feature. Choose a cleaning solution labeled for odor removal or mold control. Avoid over-wetting the carpet during the process.
Steam Cleaning: Hot water and steam can help kill mold spores trapped in carpet fibers. Rent or purchase a steam cleaner, or hire a local professional carpet cleaner. Steam penetrates deeply and is often more effective than surface-level scrubbing.
Enzyme Cleaners: These break down organic material and odors at a molecular level. Look for products that specifically say they remove mildew, mold, or urine odors. The Environmental Working Group offers a great database of safer cleaning products.
Dehumidify the Room: After cleaning, it’s essential to reduce humidity. Run a dehumidifier for 24–48 hours to dry the carpet thoroughly. Mildew smells will return if the carpet remains damp or the environment stays humid.
When to Call a Professional Carpet Cleaner
If you’ve cleaned the carpet multiple times and the mildew smell comes back, it may be embedded in the padding or subfloor. At this point, home remedies may not reach deep enough.
Professional carpet cleaning companies have the tools to remove water, lift odors, and treat microbial growth below the surface. They may use antimicrobial treatments or ozone machines to neutralize odor.
If you’re in Northeast Ohio, Green and Clean Home Services offers deep carpet cleaning across Lake, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Summit, Portage, and Medina Counties. Their methods are eco-friendly and safe for homes with kids, pets, and allergy sensitivities.
How to Prevent Mildew Smells in Carpet
Prevention is the key to avoiding this problem again. Here are tips to keep your carpets mildew-free:
- Clean up spills immediately and dry thoroughly.
- Use area rugs in moisture-prone spaces like basements.
- Maintain low indoor humidity (ideally between 30% and 50%).
- Have your HVAC system serviced regularly to manage moisture.
- Open windows and doors on dry days to improve airflow.
You can also treat carpets with mold-resistant sprays or apply baking soda periodically as a maintenance routine.
Are Mildew Smells Dangerous?
In small amounts, mildew is typically a nuisance rather than a health hazard. However, prolonged exposure to mold and mildew can worsen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.
Strong, persistent odors are often a sign of mold growth—not just in the carpet but potentially in your subfloor or walls. If the smell is intense or paired with visible mold, consider a professional mold inspection.
Long-Term Carpet Care for Healthier Homes
Caring for your carpet isn’t just about looks—it’s about your home’s air quality and your family’s well-being. Regular vacuuming, annual professional cleaning, and humidity control all go a long way.
If your carpet has been exposed to flooding or repeated moisture, professional treatment is a smart investment. Services like Green and Clean Home Services combine deep cleaning with deodorization and sanitization to ensure that your carpets don’t just look clean—they feel and smell clean too.
Conclusion
Learning how to get mildew smell out of carpet starts with identifying the moisture source and drying it completely. From natural remedies to deep cleaning techniques, there are multiple strategies to tackle this problem based on its severity.
If you’ve tried every trick in the book and still smell mildew, it may be time to bring in professionals. In Northeast Ohio, trust Green and Clean Home Services to remove odors, restore freshness, and keep your home clean and healthy.
A fresh-smelling carpet doesn’t just enhance your space—it protects your health and gives you peace of mind. Don’t wait for mildew to spread. Take action now to reclaim the comfort of your home.
