How to Remove Athlete’s Foot from Carpet? (2022 Guide With Video)

In order to avoid the problem of athlete’s foot while purchasing a new home, you must use various carpet cleaning methods. Before moving into it, clean all of its carpeted areas first. The spores of athlete’s foot can be present in the fibers of the carpet. This will infect the newcomers if the previous owner of that house was infected with this skin condition.

Actually, the spores of the fungus causing athlete’s foot remain in the carpets and shoes for years to come. The fungus infection adopted from public places like pool and gym etc. They cannot be removed adequately just by mopping or vacuuming the home periodically.

In fact, carpeted areas, swimming pool, and bathrooms are some of the places in a household that can help in spreading the viruses and spores of fungus causing athlete’s foot and can infect all the occupants of that household.

Removing spores of athlete’s foot fungus from the carpet

Vacuuming
Initially, you can start with vacuuming the carpets daily to remove dirt and dust along with bacteria and mold. Bacteria, mildew, and mold grow fast in dirty carpets. You, your friends and kids can get infected with the spores of athlete’s foot and various other infectious viruses if they move or play on dirty carpets.

So, to avoid such foot infections you will have to clean your carpet thoroughly as well as disinfect it. For this purpose people usually prefer to clean their carpets themselves by vacuuming them daily.

Cleaning and disinfecting the carpets DIY

If you have time and space to clean your carpet yourself then use a non-toxic and eco-friendly carpet cleaning method to remove all the infectious elements from it as well as disinfect your carpet.

The materials and equipment required for this purpose include white vinegar, hot water, and a steam cleaner. This quick-fix method is inexpensive and safe for everyone including your pets, kids, carpets, and the entire environment.

It can kill almost all the viruses, molds, and bacteria growing in your carpets for long. The steam cleaner used in this process will not only help in killing all the infectious elements but also providing you a properly cleaned room.

Steps to clean and disinfect the carpet

Make a solution by mixing hot water and white vinegar in equal quantities. The vinegar you use should be of full strength to get the best results if your carpet is severely infected.

You can also use a carpet cleaning detergent along with vinegar to increase the potential of the carpet cleaning solution. Now fill this solution in the detergent vessel of the steam cleaner but avoid filling it overly.

Now start running the steam cleaner over your infected carpets according to the instructions provided. Once you have cleaned the carpets by using the solution of white vinegar, hot water, and detergent, you will need to let it dry completely first.

It is better to use this method of cleaning your athlete’s foot infected carpets before going to bed. Once the carpets are dry the smell of white vinegar will also go away by itself.

 Thus by following this method you can easily clean as well as disinfect your dirty and infected carpets at home.

However, if you do not have time to clean your athlete’s foot infected carpets then you can call a professional carpet cleaning service for this purpose.

Cleaning carpet through professional cleaning services

Professional carpet cleaners will use industrial-grade cleaning agents and disinfectants to get rid of a wide range of infectious elements along with dirt, dust, and grime embedded into your carpets.

They can clean your caret more effectively on the basis of their experience as well as by using the equipment specifically designed for this purpose. These days most carpet cleaners use eco-friendly cleaning solutions so that it may not be harmful to the inhabitants, pets, carpets, and the environment.

After cleaning the carpet thoroughly professional cleaners use mechanical dryers to dry the carpets completely before leaving your place.

In this way, you can remove the athlete’s foot from your carpets by using various carpet cleaning methods discussed in this write-up, depending upon the level of dirtiness of your carpet and your budget.

An Outlook in Athlete’s Foot

The athlete’s foot is an infection of the skin that usually appears between the toes and on the soles of the feet. The athlete’s foot can also be spread to other body areas. If you’re wondering if you can catch an athlete’s foot from a carpet, yes, you can develop it from contact with carpets infected with fungus.

Can You Catch Athlete’s Foot From Carpet?

Tinea pedis is a fungal infection that causes what we commonly call “athlete’s foot.” The fungi that cause the disease typically live on the skin’s surface but can multiply quickly in warm, moist areas such as between the toes and on the soles of feet. This makes athlete’s foot common among athletes, who are prone to sweating in their athletic shoes.

The short answer to whether you can catch an athlete’s foot from a carpet is yes: if the rug is carrying fungal spores and you walk barefoot or have direct contact with that area, you can catch the athlete’s foot. However, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening!

Tinea pedis is contagious, so handling it carefully and avoiding spreading it is essential. If you have athlete’s foot and want to prevent spreading it to others or other parts of your own body (such as your hands or groin), consider doing these things:

• Wash your hands after touching your feet or any infected areas of skin
• Wear shower shoes or sandals in public places like locker rooms and showers
• Wear dry socks every day (cotton)

How Long Does Athlete’s Foot Last on Surfaces?

The fungus that causes an athlete’s foot can live on surfaces for an extended amount of time if moisture is present in the environment. This means many opportunities to contract the fungus outside locker rooms and swimming areas. The fungus can continue to live on carpeting, shower stalls, or pool decks at home or when visiting hotels.

The best way to avoid getting an athlete’s foot is to stay away from warm and moist places where the fungus can thrive. When you go to swimming pools, locker rooms, or public showers, wear sandals or flip-flops to keep your feet protected from the floor. After being in these areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and ensure they are scorched before putting on socks and shoes.

How to Clean Floors After Athlete’s Foot?

Bleach is one of the most effective ways to kill fungus. It also kills bacteria and germs on contact. To disinfect your floors and destroy the fungus causing athlete’s foot:

• Start by cleaning the floor with a mixture of water and detergent.
• Make a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water and mop the floors with this solution.
• Allow the floor to dry, and then apply a sealant or wax to prevent the future growth of fungus or bacteria on your flooring.

Here is how step to step:

• Wash the floor with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach and 2 cups warm water. Pour into a bucket and dip the mop into the solution.
• Remove foot fungus from the flooring by scrubbing it with a cleaning toothbrush. Rinse the mop frequently in clean water to remove spores.
• Soak dirty laundry in a solution of bleach and water before washing. Soak towels, socks, shoes, and any workout clothes that have been worn while you had an athlete’s foot or have come in contact with your feet. Wear rubber gloves when handling contaminated clothing or towels.
• Disinfect shoes with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Spray the inside of the shoes thoroughly with this mixture, and then let them air dry.

How to Kill Bacteria on Carpet?

Carpets can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Carpet fibers trap dirt and dust, which create a haven for bacteria to grow and spread. Since bacteria are naturally airborne, they can land on any surface, including carpet. To kill the bacteria, you must remove the source of their growth.

Preparation

Before cleaning the carpet, you must prepare the area for treatment. Remove all furniture and items from the room cleaned, if possible. If you have children or pets in the home, keep them out of the room while working, so they do not accidentally contact any of your cleaning supplies. Next, vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove excess dirt and dust from the fibers. Then spray a mist of white vinegar over the carpet to cleanse it before continuing with more thorough cleaning methods.

Baking Soda

For odor-causing bacteria penetrating deep into your carpet fibers, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area to absorb unwanted odors. Allow it to sit on top of the carpet overnight before vacuuming thoroughly to remove all traces of baking soda residue.

• Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet an hour before vacuuming.
• Vacuum the carpet thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter, which will capture more dust and allergens than other types of filters.
• Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of hot water and put it into a plastic spray bottle. Add two tablespoons of liquid dish soap and shake gently to blend. Spray the solution on the carpet and let it sit for five minutes to loosen dirt.
• Scrub the area lightly with a soft-bristle scrub brush or an old toothbrush to work the solution into the carpet fibers. Blot with paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible from the carpet; do not rub, however, or you will damage the fibers. Repeat if necessary until all stains have been removed from the carpet. Allow to air dry completely.

Vacuum

The first step in eliminating bacteria on your carpet is to vacuum thoroughly, preferably with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. This will help you remove a large amount of the surface material that could be harboring bacteria. You may want to vacuum your carpets once or twice per week to keep them clean, even if you don’t see any visible dirt or stains.

Shampoo

A good shampoo is an effective way to clean your carpets and kill germs simultaneously. It’s essential to get as much water out of the carpet as possible when using a shampooer because the moisture can foster the growth of new bacteria colonies. It would help if you also let your carpets dry completely before replacing furniture or walking on them again.

How to Disinfect Shoes From Athlete’s Foot?

While it may seem counterintuitive, an athlete’s foot is caused by bacteria and fungus. A fungal infection can be spread to your shoes from the floor of a public shower or from walking barefoot in a locker room, gym, or public pool. The best way to prevent an athlete’s foot is to avoid sharing shoes or walking barefoot in these areas. However, if you’re already suffering from an athlete’s foot, it is essential to disinfect your boots with a solution that will kill both bacteria and fungus. Here is how to disinfect shoes from athlete’s foot

• Mix 1 part bleach with nine parts water in a small bowl. Ensure the water is excellent when you mix it with the bleach — hot water can cause bleach fumes to become more potent and harmful if inhaled.
• Dip a clean cloth into the bowl and wring out any excess bleach solution.
• Wipe the interior of each shoe with the cloth until they are thoroughly saturated with the solution. Let them air dry before wearing them again.

Can Hand Sanitizer Kill Athlete’s Foot?

The answer is yes. Hand sanitizer can kill an athlete’s foot because it contains a high level of alcohol. It is thought that the alcohol kills the fungus, which causes the athlete’s foot. The alcohol also dries out the skin, which can help to prevent the athlete’s foot from returning.

You can purchase hand sanitizer in gel form or as a spray. Both are equally effective at killing athlete’s foot fungus, but the bouquet may be easier to apply to difficult-to-reach areas such as between your toes.

Although hand sanitizer may kill an athlete’s foot fungus, it is not recommended to substitute for other treatments. Many over-the-counter products are available to help treat and prevent athlete’s foot that does not contain any alcohol.

An athlete’s foot is an infection of the skin on your feet caused by a fungus known as tinea pedis. The fungus thrives on warm, moist skin and often develops between your toes or soles. Symptoms include itching, burning, cracking and peeling skin, blisters, and redness of the skin between your toes or on your soles.

How to Disinfect Shoes From Toenail Fungus?

When you wear shoes that have been worn before, you can unknowingly bring in foreign germs and bacteria. When the weather is particularly nasty in the winter months, it’s not uncommon to get a cold, cough, or fever due to viruses carried in airborne particles. When it’s hotter, and your feet sweat more, you’re at a greater risk of getting athlete’s foot or ringworm in the summer months.

If this sounds scary, don’t worry! The best way to prevent these things is to disinfect your footwear regularly. You’ll need white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and a shoe brush to do so. The process is simple:

• Use the rubbing alcohol to disinfect the inside of your shoe.
• Once the alcohol dries, use white vinegar to wipe off any leftover residue.
• Brush off any extra dirt with your shoe brush

For anyone who has ever struggled with an athlete’s foot or any other fungus that can be chronicled on their feet, this is an easy way to keep them from spreading.

Wrapping Up

The athlete foot is one of the most common foot infections. It’s also embarrassing to walk around with the signs of a fungus infection all over your feet! On average, 6-12% of the population will get it. People who wear closed shoes and bring their feet into contact with moist carpets are more likely to be afflicted.

Also, read:
How To Remove Dog Urine Smell From Carpet?
4 Tips On How To Remove Carpet Smell – Carpet Cleaning