According to Fungal Contamination, what should be done to carpet padding that gets wet?

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When fungal contamination is a concern, absorbing materials like carpet padding are especially risky once they get wet. Padding soaks up moisture and becomes a harbor for mold and spores, and its porous structure is hard to dry completely or sanitize effectively. Even thorough cleaning or disinfecting can miss hidden mold and moisture trapped inside, which means the contamination can persist or quickly return.

For that reason, the recommended action is to discard the wet padding and replace it with new padding after addressing the moisture source and ensuring the area is thoroughly dried. Reusing or simply drying the old padding can leave behind mold and moisture that fuel recurring contamination.

So, discarding the wet padding aligns with the goal of preventing ongoing or renewed fungal growth.