How can I get rid of "wet carpet smell"?

Question

My apartment had a problem a few nights ago where it was raining and then water started soaking up through my carpet. (There was roof work being done and they left something up there uncovered.)
I have been sucking water out of it madly with a steam cleaner and I have fans on it 24/7 but it is still damp and now it is starting to smell!!!
Help! How can I speed up the drying and get rid of the smell? And please, so smart aleck answers!

Yes, I know they should come in and fix it, but unfortunately they are very inefficient, so I am trying to do something about it in the meantime...

Answer 1

If you have access too a shop-vac they do a great job of pulling water out of carpet. Once it is dry most carpet powder/deodorizers will be effective to eliminate the smell. If has soaked through too the carpet pad you may have too have it removed all together.

Answer 2

If it's a wool or mainly wool carpet them much of the smell will go away once it's completely dried. Wool carpets always smell when they've been wet for a while.

To kill off germs and bacteria, that are probably now breeding, you need to use a sanitizing solution (from a janitorial supplies company). Apply with a sprayer (hand or electric) and work into the pile of the carpet with a soft brush or carpet rake.

To get rid of the smell use an odor neutralizer (also from janitorial supplies company). This is either applied to the carpet directly (as per above) or is sprayed into the air. Spraying it into the air means using a steamer, the product is mixed with water, boiled and steam released into the air - it smells like bubble-gum but once dried the smell goes.

Wool carpets and the foam backing on synthetic carpets deteriorate rapidly when wet - wool becomes weak and rips easily, foam backing crumbles. If either of these are happening then you need to consider replacing the carpet.

As for speeding up drying times - lift the carpet if possible as there'll be a lot of wetness underneath it. If you have wooden floors you'll have to lift the carpet to allow these to dry out. If you can't lift the carpet then the only thing you can do is allow as much heat and ventilation as possible and use a dehumidifier to get the water vapor out of the air (air can only contain so much water vapor, when it reaches it's maximum (SVP or saturation vapor pressure) then no more water will evaporate from the carpet).

Answer 3

not your problem, your landlord is responsible, since it was from a roof leak, to answear the question with that much water in the carpet it does not matter how much you get out, even when it dries it will have a musky smell and possible mold mainly between the bottom of the carpet and floor, it has to be replaced. If it comes to be a problem, get a lawyer or go to small clams court, I had similar situation the landlord had to pay..good luck.

Answer 4

I don't know what state you live in but it California they have to send out a flood remediation company, Carpet molds pretty fast and the spores will get into everything you own. At the very least, you should have a carpet company come out clean the carpet, replace the pad and spray a moldicide.

Answer 5

Just a thought since you have the steam cleaner, how about trying the pet odor remover that you can buy for carpet machines. Does wonders for pet accidents, and the smell is pretty nice

Answer 6

put a fan against it. leave it for all day if you have too. but a heavy duty fan, and FREDDY FENDER, maybe he will bring you happiness. maybe it will be dry before the NEXT TEARDROP FALLS. anyway. just drink JAMAICAN RUM, white you're watching the carpet dry. LOL.
i wanted to say something smart, such who left the open torch on the ROOF.? YOU WILL never get rid of the smell, unless you replace it..

Answer 7

If possible, try to put a heater near the carpet. Sprinkle some baking soda all over the carpet. Let it absorb. It's really good for eliminating odours.

Answer 8

Just spray the lot with straight white vinegar, this will help with any mould and alleviate the smell, (it will not stain any fabrics on furnishings) this will do until you get the landlord or owners to replace or rip up the carpet.

Answer 9

It's not the carpet, but the padding under it. You need to pull the carpet up off the padding & either dry & microban it, or replace it. I would go with the latter of those 2 options.

Answer 10

The only resolution may be to replace the carpet and damaged wallboard and other things damaged by the water. That stuff is really hard to cure without going back to square one.