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Question:

How to get mildew smell out of rug?

Basically, my dad washed the rug with laundry detergent. But he put it in an area to dry, where there is no sunlight. So it didn't dry all the way and ended up creating this mildew smell on it. I decided to wash it again, but this time with a solution called Fiber Cleansing, that is used to fight stains on carpets. And I vacuumed the rug with a wet/dry vacuum to get all the water out of it. I got most of it out, but still had a smell to it. So I decided to pour a box of baking soda all over it, to get the smell out of it. (What the internet told me to do) After leaving the baking soda on there for 2 days, still nothing. The rug itself is pretty dry now, still a bit damp on the underside of it. It still smells. What can I do?

Answer:

The problem is that most things that get mildew out also take out the color. Can you put it in sunlight with out it getting wet again? Maybe a diluted bleach spray on the back side for just a few minutes - if you don't think it will go through to the colored fibers?? But be careful - if you get bleach on the front you will lose the color and can't get it back.
Forget the bleach and any other solutions given. Re launder the rug but this time add 1/3 cup bicarb soda and 1/3 cup white vinegar to the wash and 1/3 cup white vinegar to the rinse. Both of these will absorb the odour and the white vinegar will kill any mould/mildew. Make sure the rug is dried where there is an airflow, even if there is no sunlight, but sunlight is good. The trick is to make sure the rug dries as quickly as possible and a good airflow helps this happen Re what you did with the baking powder..... the rug needed to be dry first. As it was still damp the mildew was still growing. Sprinkling bicarb soda on a dry rug that has an odour will absorb the odour. I promise, if you follow the instructions, the above will work. that

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