What Are The Boat Carpet Mold Removal Steps?
The 11 steps to remove mold from a boat carpet are listed below.
- Get boat carpet mold removal items
- Vacuum over the entire moldy boat carpet
- Spray the boat carpet mold remover liquid 3 to 5 times directly on the dry moldy carpet surface in 2ft. x 2ft. sections
- Let the carpet mold remover liquid sit on the moldy carpet for 3 minutes
- Scrub the surface with warm water and a soft bristle brush
- Wait 4 minutes to let the scrubbed surface soak deeply into the carpet fibers
- Dry off the surface with a towel
- Mix 1 unit of boat carpet cleaner with 10 units of water (the exact ratio depends on the specific boat carpet cleaner used)
- Run the steam cleaner over the recently scrubbed moldy carpet surface
- Let the marine carpet dry out for 15+ minutes
- Once dried, vacuum the entire boat carpet to get rid of any final mold particles
1. Get Boat Carpet Mold Removal Items
Get a 32-ounce to a 1-gallon container of boat carpet mold remover cleaner, a 1-gallon bucket of warm water, 1 carpet steam cleaner, 1 vacuum cleaner, 1 soft bristle brush, 2 microfiber cloths, and 2 microfiber towels.
These items assist with the entire process of cleaning and removing mold from marine carpets.
2. Vacuum The Entire Boat Carpet
Vacuum the entire moldy boat carpet surface to remove all loose dirt and dust. Ensure every corner and hard-to-reach carpet area has been vacuumed thoroughly. This prepares the boat carpet for mold removal in future steps.
3. Spray The Boat Carpet Mold Remover Liquid On The Moldy Carpet
Spray the boat carpet mold remover liquid 3 to 5 times directly onto the moldy surface in 2ft. x 2ft. sections. Do not spray over the entire boat carpet in one go but break down the mold removal into sections. Make sure the spray reaches every carpet fiber within the 2ft. x 2ft. sections. Typically, ¼ ounce of boat carpet mold remover liquid covers a 2ft. x 2ft. section.
4. Let The Carpet Mold Remover Liquid Sit On The Moldy Carpet
Let the carpet mold remover liquid sit on the surface for 3 minutes without touching it. This allows the liquid to seep deeply into the carpet fibers and break down mold particles which helps remove it when scrubbing in later steps.
5. Scrub The Surface With Warm Water And A Soft Bristle Brush
Fill up a 1-gallon container with warm water. The water temperature of the warm water is between 100°F (37.77°C) and 150°F (65.55°C). This warm water helps to break down the mold faster. Do not use boiling water with a temperature of 212°F (100°C) or higher as this temperature damages the marine carpet surface.
Dip a soft bristle brush into the warm water. Scrub the moldy carpet surface with the soft bristle brush in a clockwise, anti-clockwise, forward, and backward direction to get every carpet fiber and mold particle scrubbed.
6. Wait 4 Minutes To Let The Scrubbed Surface Soak Deeply Into The Carpet Fibers
Wait 4 minutes after scrubbing the moldy carpet section to allow the mold remover liquid to soak into the carpet fibers more.
7. Dry Off The Surface With A Towel
Use a soft microfiber towel and dry the carpet in sections by dabbing the towel onto the wet carpet surface. Using a towel helps to soak up any loose dirty mold particles too.
8. Mix 1 Unit Of Boat Carpet Cleaner With 10 Units Of Water
Get a boat carpet cleaner. Mix 1 unit of carpet cleaner with 10 units of water (the exact ratio is labeled on the boat carpet cleaner container). Once the liquid has been mixed, put it into a steam cleaner. This liquid can be mixed directly inside the steam cleaner container if a boat owner prefers this option.
9. Run The Steam Cleaner Over The Scrubbed Moldy Carpet Surface
Run the steam cleaner over the boat carpet surface. As a test, run the steam cleaner over a 1ft. x 1ft. carpet surface to ensure the steam cleaner is working properly. Once satisfied, run the steam cleaner over the marine carpet in 4ft. x 4ft. sections. Run the steam cleaner in a clockwise, anti-clockwise, forward, and backward motion to tackle every area of the carpet and carpet fibers. The steam cleaner breaks down any remaining fungus and bacteria that may have remained.
10. Let The Marine Carpet Dry Out For 15+ Minutes
Once the vessel's carpet is entirely steam cleaned, open all the boat windows to let fresh air into the area where the carpet is located. This helps to dry out the carpet. Wait for 15 minutes+ for the boat carpet to dry out. Do not walk on the carpet or put items on the carpet until it is completely dried out.
11. Vacuum The Entire Boat Carpet Again
Once the boat carpet is completely dried, run a vacuum cleaner over the entire boat carpet again. This removes any remaining mold, mildew, or dirt particles that are remaining. Once the carpet is vacuumed again, the mold is completely removed from the boat carpet.
What Types Of Mold Are Removed From Boat Carpets?
The 12 types of mold removed from boat carpets are listed below.
- Alternaria: This is a small grey, orange, pink, or white-colored mold fungus that forms in separate parts of the carpets. It is found near vents in the boat carpet
- Aspergillus: This is a brown or dark green-colored mold fungus that forms around the skirting area of a carpet. There are hairs protruding from this mold
- Aureobasidium: This is a brown or black-colored mold fungus that forms under carpets, typically in water-damaged boat carpets
- Chaetomium: This is a white-colored, cotton-like mold fungus that forms on the wooden trim under boat carpets
- Cladosporium: This is a green or brown-colored mold fungus that has a suede texture. It is found all over the boat carpet
- Fusarium: This is a pink, white, or red-colored mold fungus that is found deep in carpet fibers. It forms as a result of food particles and water-damaged carpets
- Mucor: This is a grey or white color mold fungus found in clumps around a boat carpet floor, especially around the carpet surface nearest a window
- Penicillin: This is a dark blue, dark green, or dark grey colored mold fungus that spreads quickly. It has a velvet texture. It forms all over the boat carpet and it is the most common type of mold found on boat carpets
- Stachybotrys: This is a dark black or dark green colored mold fungus with a string-like shape. This mold is most commonly found around carpet doorways or on carpet near windows
- Trichoderma: This is a white or green-colored mold fungus that has a wool texture. It forms in sections or clumps around marine carpets
- Ulocladium: This is a black or dark green-colored mold fungus that forms in clumps. It is found in moist boat carpet areas
Both heavy and light mold are removed from boat carpets when following the mold removal process.
Do You Use Hot Water Or Cold Water For Removing Mold From Boat Carpets?
Warm water with a temperature range of between 100°F (37.77°C) and 150°F (65.55°C) is used to remove mold from a boat carpet. While cold water can be used, using warm water is much better as it breaks down mold much easier than cold water.
However, boiling hot water with a temperature of 212°F (100°C) + is not used to remove mold from a boat carpet as this high temperature damages the carpet fibers.
Should A Boat Carpet Be Wet Or Dry Before Removing Mold From It?
Ideally, a boat carpet should be dry before removing mold from it as the carpet mold remover liquid is most effective when applied to a dry carpet surface. However, if the carpet is wet or moist, the mold remover liquid can still be used but it is not as effective at mold removal on wet carpet surfaces compared to dry carpet surfaces.
Boat Carpet Mold Removal Quick Facts
Fact Name Fact Information Skill Level: Beginner Items Needed: 1 pair of gloves. 1 boat carpet mold remover cleaner. 1 vacuum cleaner. 1 soft bristle brush. 2 microfiber cloths. 2 microfiber towels. 1 vacuum cleaner. 1 carpet steam cleaner Items To Avoid: Bleach. Chlorine. Acidic home cleaners. Pressure washer. Baking soda Time To Clean: Between 35 minutes and 45 minutes Benefits: Improved air quality. Clean carpet. Longer carpet life Potential Risks: Carpet damage. Increase spread of mold
What Items Are Used To Remove Mold From Boat Carpets?
The 8 items used to remove mold from a boat carpet are listed below.
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 boat carpet mold remover cleaner
- 1 vacuum cleaner
- 1 carpet steam cleaner
- 2 microfiber cloths
- 2 microfiber towels
- 1 soft bristle brush
- 1-gallon container/bucket of warm water
What Items Are Not Used To Remove Mold From A Boat Carpet?
The 5 items that are not used to remove mold from a boat carpet are listed below.
- Bleach
- Chlorine
- Acidic cleaners
- Pressure washer
- Baking soda
Why Can Bleach Not Be Used To Remove Boat Carpet Mold?
Bleach can not be used to remove mold from a boat carpet as it causes the carpet to get damaged and become discolored.
Why Can Chlorine Not Be Used To Remove Boat Carpet Mold?
Chlorine can not be used to remove mold from a boat carpet as it causes carpets to get damaged, carpet fibers to weaken and the color of the carpet to fade.
Why Can Acidic Cleaners Not Be Used To Remove Boat Carpet Mold?
Acidic cleaners can not be used to remove mold from a boat carpet as they cause the carpet fibers to get damaged and worn much faster.
Why Can Pressure Washers Not Be Used To Remove Boat Carpet Mold?
Mold is created as a result of moisture and water buildup on carpets. A pressure washer can not be used inside a boat to remove mold as it creates water-logged carpets which can cause new mold to grow.
Why Can Baking Soda Not Be Used To Remove Boat Carpet Mold?
Baking soda is a homemade cleaner that can not be used to remove boat carpet mold as it is not a strong enough chemical to fully remove all mold fungi.
What Are The Benefits Of Removing Mold From A Boat Carpet?
The 3 benefits of removing mold from a boat carpet are listed below.
- Improved air quality: Removing mold improves the air quality as mold is a fungus that is harmful to humans
- Clean carpet: Removing dirty mold helps to clean the carpet and restore it to its original condition
- Longer carpet life: Removing mold from a carpet help to increase the boat's carpet life as the carpet is in better condition when mold is not growing on it
What Are The Risks Of Removing Mold From A Boat Carpet?
The 2 potential risks of removing mold from a boat carpet are listed below.
- Carpet damage: Removing mold from a boat carpet can result in the marine carpet getting damaged with holes or a weakened surface
- Increase spread of mold: If removing the mold from the boat carpet is not done correctly, it can result in mold actually spreading faster to other parts of the marine carpet
How Long Does It Take To Remove Mold From A Boat Carpet?
Between 35 minutes and 45 minutes is the time duration to remove mold from a boat carpet. However, this timeframe can increase or decrease based on the size and condition of the marine carpet and how much mold is on the carpet surface.
What Are Alternative Methods Of Removing Mold From A Boat Carpet?
There are 2 alternative methods of removing mold from a boat carpet which are cleaning a boat carpet with a boat carpet cleaner or removing and replacing the boat carpet with a new one. Cleaning the boat carpet with a boat carpet cleaner is the easier method of mold removal compared to removing and replacing the boat carpet with a new one which is much harder for a boat owner to do manually.