Best way to get Mold/mildew smell out of oriental rug

[ruff]

What is the best way to get mold/mildew and its smell out of a water damaged oriental rug, in plant cleaning.

Rug had water damage, landlord just folded it with water still in it without letting client know. It set like that for two weeks, has mold all over.
Cotton foundation is solid though.

What do you use?

 

[Art Kelley]

I would soak it down with a good quaternary ammonium compound such as QuataLot or Chemeister's Sunshine, then wash the mold off if there is any showing. Put it out in the sun to dry.

 

[Royal Man]

Could be trashed. The mold will eat the fibers.

It's not like the fibers are just covered with mold.

Clean like above. If it is still black, trash it.

 

[ruff]

The rug is solid, no damage to foundation.
The mold comes out in cleaning.
More concerned about killing existing mold and dealing with smell.

 

[Art Kelley]

Yes, use a quat. That will kill the odor. "Mold disinfectant is applied to the surfaces for 10-30 minutes prior to wash or scrubbing. Quats leave an antifungal residue after cleaning and discourage mold growth."

 

[sweendogg]

pit soak it.. first with something like Microban Clean Carpet Sanitizer

http://www.jondon.com/catalog/product_i ... aad334c357

It used to be and still may be wool safe approved. This will also do a lot of cleaning. Once I'm done soaking in this I'll rinse and flush clear.. If odor persists I'll do a soak with skunk out.. After that is done if odor persists.. its then the Masterblend Anti Allergen deoderizer.

 

[The Great Oz]

Wash first. Microban. Wash again.

 

[ruff]

Thanks guys.
It was actually washed and cleaned twice in plant. I am not sure they did the Microban soak.

Any idea if 'Benefect' will work?

Also if you do a quat or microban soak, for how long?

They are all pretty high PH, which makes me weary of a long soak and potential bleeding.

It is a nice and valuable rug.

 

[The Great Oz]

Apply with a sprayer to soak from the back. You don't have to immerse in Microban. Wash again to remove as much Microban as possible.

 

[sweendogg]

Remember that in most cases, the buffeting is the killer.. Not the ph... Hence at least with the product I listed why its safe for wool and stain resist alike.

See link for wool safe verification.

http://www.woolsafeusa.org/professionalproducts

 

[J Scott W]

Benefect will work for the mold. The pH is slightly acid (6.0) so there is no danger to the wool.

Wool and other natural fibers can seem dry and still hold a lot of mositure. A key to odor control is to get it thoroughly dry all the way through.

 

[ruff]

Thank you all, that was very helpful.

 

[Cameron1]

We have been having luck lately with a combination home mixed brew, born out of frustration. Take2oz. Micro ban and 2oz. Of dd12 with 2oz of fresh wave( from JOndon) per gal. Of water.

Still working with the dilution but good results so far.