Mold on Cotton Octopus Rug

[Nomad74]

Hello brain trust. Looking for a little advice. I have this 100% cotton rug with mildew spots. The backing is canvas covered latex. I intend to clean it as normal with a wool safe chem and acid rinse. I have terrible luck getting black mildew out of stuff. Whats the secret? peroxide? Oxy? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I know this isn't what you're looking for Damon

But

Why?

Is the rug's real or sentimental value so high that it is worth trying to fix this issue?

I have no doubt that you advised them that anything you'll do is cosmetic, and any health associated risks will remain

 

[Nomad74]

Jim. You hit it. I told the guy it probably wasn’t worth cleaning. I said if he had an emotional attachment to the rug I would be happy to clean it but could not guarantee removal of the mildew stains. He agreed to the cleaning price and said go for it. Got any suggestions?

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Jim. You hit it. I told the guy it probably wasn’t worth cleaning. I said if he had an emotional attachment to the rug I would be happy to clean it but could not guarantee removal of the mildew stains. He agreed to the cleaning price and said go for it. Got any suggestions?

I will assume you've covered yourself from as much liability as possible (especially considering how much more exposure you have in your land of litigiousness...)

You could try a cleaner that contains an oxidizer, such as an encap with 02 or OxyBuff Cotton Shampoo, but in my experience neither types of product do much to impact that level of damage.

I'd pass just based on the fact that working on something that will hardly look better upon completion is less than emotionally rewarding.

 

[Nomad74]

I will assume you've covered yourself from as much liability as possible (especially considering how much more exposure you have in your land of litigiousness...)

You could try a cleaner that contains an oxidizer, such as an encap with 02 or OxyBuff Cotton Shampoo, but in my experience neither types of product do much to impact that level of damage.

I'd pass just based on the fact that working on something that will hardly look better upon completion is less than emotionally rewarding.

Well then. You are not invited to my mildew party.

Lol thanks Jim.

 

[Cleanworks]

Try Sally's 40 volume and put it in direct sunlight for a while.

 

[Nomad74]

I’m going to try some white vinegar. Just got done hand washing a Kilim rug and now working on a big wool rug.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Well then. You are not invited to my mildew party.

Lol thanks Jim.

Start at 1:00

When it comes to saving stuff, I'm a realist/pessimist...and bad at parties.

 

[hogjowl]

Mental masturbation
You’re not going to get it out

 

[BIG WOOD]

Try Sally's 40 volume and put it in direct sunlight for a while.

5% MAX

Treat, expose it to sunlight, let dry, repeat until desired look

12% is too aggressive for natural fiber rugs

 

[Cleanworks]

5% MAX

Treat, expose it to sunlight, let dry, repeat until desired look

12% is too aggressive for natural fiber rugs

Too aggressive for wool rugs, a little safer on cotton. It may weaken the fiber but it also may help in removing the mold stain. Last resort method, not something I would do on a regular basis.

 

[Hack Attack]

I hate cotton

If I felt the need to try I'd use old school haiitian (spell check please Marty) cotton cleaner with more reducer mixed in

 

[hogjowl]

I don’t care how you speak it
Nothings going to work

 

[Nomad74]

Well I was hoping @T Monahan , @Brian H ,@Joe Appleby , @The Great Oz or Robert Mann would comment.

 

[The Great Oz]

Nothing's going to work. You're welcome.

If it were not cotton, or printed, or an octopus, maybe. Or wasn't a piece of cotton fabric glued to a cotton backing with adhesive that will wick yellow up through the face.

Clean it first and see what happens. The yellow adhesive and print will make the rest of the discussion moot.

Or, wow the poop out of the guy by dropping $42 bucks on a new one on Etsy. blue octopus rug


PS: Just to not be 100% negative... Some have had good fortune using CLO2 on moldy synthetic outdoor cushions, seems I remember some discussion here about that product. Give it a try if the print doesn't bleed.


PPS: I know the link is to a smaller rug. The big one should be $84.

 

[FredC]

fook with him and get the aqua instead of multi

Amazon product

 

[Mikey P]

Just how sentimental can a new rug be?

 

[Nomad74]

Holy crap! I found the same exact one on Amazon. I think I'm going to buy it and give it to him and see if he says anything, lol. This should be fun.

Amazon product

 

[FredC]

Holy crap! I found the same exact one on Amazon. I think I'm going to buy it and give it to him and see if he says anything, lol. This should be fun.

Amazon product

lol...good find!





I linked you to it all you had to do was select "multi"

 

[Nate The Great]

Order it on the Wish app.. Heard it's cheaper..

 

[The Great Oz]

If you buy him a new one, do yourself a favor and use a stain protectant on it so it will be easier to deal with next time.

Of course, you're teaching this customer that, no matter how mistreated, you'll make a terrible rug look like new. Good luck living up to that.

 

[Nomad74]

So bitter

 

[Mikey P]

I just want to know why it's sentimental..

 

[BIG WOOD]

It seems Damon is trying to backtrack on over promising and under delivering

 

[Nomad74]

It seems Damon is trying to backtrack on over promising and under delivering

You're just mad at me because I don't agree with your attorney theory.

 

[Nomad74]

Well I have good news. I am an amazing cleaner. The rug responded to Cleaning positively. Letting it dry in the sun now.

 

[Mikey P]

Well I have good news. I am an amazing cleaner. The rug responded to Cleaning positively. Letting it dry in the sun now.

View attachment 118298

I'm surprised prime and offers one day delivery in Redding

 

[Nomad74]

I'm surprised prime and offers one day delivery in Redding

Redding is the center of culture and higher learning.

 

[Mikey P]

Redding is the center of culture and higher learning.

Mold is a culture.

 

[Willy P]

Buy him this. He'll love you.