Mushrooms normally grow outside in the grass, but what do you do when they're sprouting in your bedroom? Fungus and mold can take hold in your carpet and start to spread if you don't invest in regular cleaning. Once they appear, getting rid of the growth can be tricky. Bleach isn't a solution because it will also destroy your carpet, but other cleaners may not kill the spores. The good news is that you can rid your carpet of the growth and reclaim a healthy home. Here's what you need to know about carpet fungus and how to combat it.

Signs of Carpet Mold

Sometimes, you can see the mold on the carpet and you know you have an issue. Other times, it's slowly spreading beneath the carpet in hidden areas. Be wary of musty odors because they can indicate the presence of mold. If people in the home have allergies and you notice that they're struggling with them year-round, then mold is likely present.

Mold on the top of your carpet will commonly appear as discoloration, so be wary of black, brown, white or green stains on the rugs. If your carpet has been wet recently, then you should run a dehumidifier to prevent mold from forming. Finally, if you still aren't sure, peel up one corner and take a peek under the carpet to see if mold is present.

Sources of Carpet Mold

Mold needs moderate temperatures, food, and water to survive. Any part of your home can provide the right environment if there is a water leak in the area. Mold can easily use your carpet as a food source, and it only takes a small amount of moisture to start the process. If you find carpet mold, you must also find the water source and correct that problem. Otherwise, the mold will just return at a later time.

The Dangers of Mold

Not all mold is deadly, but it can all cause respiratory problems for people with allergies. It can spread unchecked if not corrected and removed. The spores break off readily and drift through the air, so it can start forming in other areas of the home. Given enough time, it can cause serious illness and structural damage, so it's important to address the issue as soon as possible.

Lift, Vacuum, Steam Clean

Start by lifting any large areas of mold and removing them from the carpet. Put a damp paper towel over any chunks of growth, fold the towel around it and place it in a plastic garbage bag. With the largest chunks removed, start vacuuming the mold. Once most of the mold is vacuumed up, you can steam clean the carpet to blast out the remnants of mold and clean them away. Run a dehumidifier in the area to remove any residual moisture and stop the growth. Finally, lift the carpet in that area to ensure that you don't have mold growing underneath it.

If you have found mold on your carpet, you may be worried that you need to buy new carpeting. However, professionals at High Quality Carpet can address the problem for you. We can kill the spores with safe cleaning solutions and effectively remove most mold infestations. Before you call for new carpet, call us to see if we can address the situation and save your carpet.