The leading cause for a bad smelling carpet after cleaning is that the carpet backing absorbed some of the moisture in the process and is still wet.
Carpet still damp after cleaning.
The short answer is that proper carpet cleaning does not cause mold.
You may find that after just 8 to 12 hours a very damp carpet will begin to take on a musty or old smell.
The more time a rug spends wet the bigger the chances of it developing mould.
If not dried properly the underlying material becomes susceptible to mildew problems which can cause the musty smell.
What causes wet carpet.
The really bad news here is that sometimes it s not even the underlay s fault.
The longer a carpet stays moist the more potential there is for mold and bacteria to begin growing in the carpet.
If the carpet is located in a room with less air movement and sunlight it will dry a lot slower.
How to dry carpet after cleaning.
The treatment should take place after cleaning and for best results should be gently brushed into the carpet while it is still damp.
Having a damp carpet smell after cleaning should not be neglected.
Carpet is not intended to be saturated with large amounts of water nor is it meant to be damp or wet for long periods of time.
The best way to help your carpet dry is by creating good airflow in the room.
In just a few words.
Steam has a high enough temperature to kill any toxins and also removes the toxins when the steam cleaner sucks up the dead mold spores.
Reasons your carpet smells bad after cleaning it.
Here are a few things you can do to help the carpet dry.
Pets vomit stains can generate lingering odors that resurface every time the carpet gets wet during cleaning.
You can do this yourself or call a professional for help.
Proper carpet cleaning performed by the vast majority of companies does not cause mold.
Most of the possible carpet odor reduction that can be accomplished will be accomplished by the cleaning itself.
The way you dry your carpet after cleaning depends on how it was cleaned.
Steam cleaning wet carpet removes any toxins and deodorizes it.
Carpets can be dry cleaned cleaned using steam or with specialized carpet cleaners.
Deodorizing and pet odor treatments.
And always look for companies that use professional grade fans to speed up dry times.
Likewise if your carpet has sustained any type of water damage the moisture that is trapped between the subfloor and the carpet backing becomes a prime breeding ground for mold and mildew.
However if your carpet is still wet the day after you have it professionally cleaned typically this is an indication that the company you hired did something wrong.