A bad smell coming from your office carpets is not a fun thing to deal with as a business owner – you want to create a pleasant environment for your employees. You might also feel embarrassed to invite guests or clients to your premises because of the problem.
Not only that, but these strange odors can also be dangerous, because they indicate that there could be a leak or mold growing somewhere in the property. Both of these can cause your building’s foundations to rot and become unsafe, posing a health risk to you and your workforce.
If you are dealing with wet carpet smell in your workplace, follow this guide to better understand how to treat it.
Identify the Source of the Smell
It is important to figure out the source of the bad smell in your carpet so that you can know how to get rid of it for good.
Here are the two most common sources:
1. Moisture or Dampness
Moisture and dampness can bring a bad smell to your carpet in many different ways. If your office is based in an area with high humidity, it can because of the air in your climate. If you are somewhere where it rains a lot, forgetting to close the windows can bring unwanted moisture into the property. Having your office in a basement floor, or simply being located in a flood-prone area, can also increase the risk of moisture leaking into the building.
2. Lack of Cleaning
If you notice a persistent bad smell in your office’s carpeting, it may be time to employ a cleaner. If you or your staff don’t have time to regularly clean up after a day’s work, hiring some help is a great idea to keep the area tidy, smelling nice, and a good environment to work in.
Treat the Water Damage on Your Own
Once you have identified why your carpet is emitting a bad smell, it is important to try and treat it as fast as possible. Here are a few steps you can take to minimize carpet odor:
- If it is not raining, leave windows and doors open to get maximum airflow into the area.
- Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in the air. This is especially important if you live in a climate with high humidity.
- Wipe down any wet surfaces with a mixture of vinegar and water to remove bacteria.
- Soak up as much pooled water (if any) as you can with kitchen towels or paper products.
- Cover any remaining wet surfaces with baking soda to soak up any excess moisture.
Call in the Experts
It is important to clean up as much water as you can if you identify water damage in your building. However, oftentimes this is not enough. Some water damage leads to mold and mildew growing inside or underneath your carpets. To protect the safety or your workplace, employees, and health, it is important to call in professionals to make sure mildew and mold does not spread throughout your property.
Not only is it important to call in professionals for health and safety concerns, but also for your carpets themselves. There are 4 basic types of carpet fibers—polyester, nylon, wool and olefin. Rugs can be made of different materials too. Different carpet types require different treatments, so it is important to have experts treat the damage on your flooring to avoid further damage.
Conclusion
Remember, it is important to act fast when you notice a bad smell coming from your carpets. Follow the tips above to protect your office from wet carpet smells that are caused by water damage or old age.