How do you get the mildew smell out of carpet?

Question

We just installed really nice (expensive) carpet. Due to a malfunction in our sprinkler system some water came into our newly finished basement and got the carpet wet.

This all happened while we were out of town. We we got home we noticed the wet carpet and a mildewy smell.

We pulled the carpet up in that area to dry out the pad beneath, and have a fan blowing on the carpet but I have a feeling that smell is going to remain.

Any advice from someone who has been here before?

Answer 1

Check out this webpage for answers on mildew removal, good luck on getting it out.

http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/01500334.html

Answer 2

Well, this may help. Not sure, but it worked for me after an apartment fire to get the smoke and mildew smell out of clothes and what not. Place an open dish or a few dishes of vanilla extract in the room with the carpet and it should absorb the smell. Good luck!

Answer 3

use 50% white vinegar to water
don't get it too wet ,
i use a spray then rub over with a damp cloth ,
do this daily for a while, and your mildew smell will disappear
make sure the room is well ventilated to prevent the wretched mildew returning .
all best
:)
If you put some sheets of newspaper ,under the carpet in the damp area , that will help dry things out .

Answer 4

you have great answers so far, put amonia on a cup in the room close room up amonia will absorb odors, it smells bad but will do what it needs to do
p.s. moldy smell means mold, you can't have the smell without it. so after the amonia, if after a day and the smell comes back, totally start over with the drying out...