Cleaning carpets is an essential part of maintaining them, without regular cleaning, they would get really dirty and smelly in no time.

It is essential to clean them using the proper methods, though. If you don’t then this can and will cause mould and mildew to grow on the surface of your carpets and potentially inside the underlay.

If the underlay gets infested with mould then it’s lights out for your carpets and time to replace them.

But why does carpet cleaning cause mould in the first place?

Why does mould grow on the carpet?

The most common reason why mould grows on your carpets is due to it being left wet for too long. This could be due to a large water spillage it’s a common problem when people use hired carpet cleaners that pump out a lot of water without the ability to vacuum it back up.

That’s why many people believe carpet cleaning in itself causes mould. It’s not the carpet cleaning that makes this happen, it’s the operator.

How long does it take for carpets to get mouldy?

Mould in carpets can set in as soon as 24 to 48 hours in the spot that was wet. It then rapidly starts to multiply and infest your entire carpeted area and the whole home if left unchecked.

Mould carpets have been known to be the starting point of an entire house becoming infested. That includes the carpets, walls upholstery and bathrooms.

What are the signs of a mouldy carpet?

Musty, rotten vegetable smell

Green or black discoloration on the carpet

Damp carpets with no apparent reason

Allergy symptoms such as coughing or itching in family members or pets

Is mould in carpet dangerous?

Mould in carpets or anywhere can be toxic to us and animals. There are hundreds of different types of mould, some can seriously damage your respiratory system while others can even cause blindness if a spore gets in your eyes.

Mould is no joke and it is essential that you remove it as soon as possible from your home to avoid permanent damage to your health.

Is mould on carpets a common problem?

Mouldy carpets can happen to anyone who gets a wet carpet over a long period of time. It is most common in the spring and summer since the humidity is higher during those seasons, but many people go away on holiday for a few weeks. If a pipe bursts and nobody can clean up the moisture, mould will develop.

Is it safe to sleep in a room with a mouldy carpet?

Never sleep on a mould-ridden carpet. As discussed already, mould can cause severe damage to your respiratory system and spending the night breathing in it is a very bad idea.

Go to a different room until the mould is removed from your sleeping room. If you need to go back in for whatever reason, wear a mask.

Can you clean mould from carpet yourself?

If the area of the mould is currently contained then you can tackle it on your own. White vinegar and baking soda are able to kill the mould in the carpet, then open a window to allow the spores to make their way out of your home.

Always wear the right PPE which is:

Rubber gloves

Eye goggles

Mask

Long-sleeved shirts and pants

As soon as you are done cleaning, dispose of the mask and clean your goggles, gloves and clothes in warm water.

If you need to clean an entire room with mould inside then you can either try our ‘homemade mould carpet cleaner’ or call in a professional to get the job done.

Should I clean the black mould on carpets myself?

You should never try to remove black mould from carpets yourself. It is a highly toxic type of mould which can cause serious bad health effects. Call a mould remediation expert immediately, they will be able to advise you on whether you need to replace the carpet, or if it can be cleaned out.

Can you get mould out of carpet underlay?

No, there is no way of removing the mould without damaging the underlay in the process. Unfortunately, if the carpet padding has been damaged, you will need to replace that part of your carpet.

To lessen the cost of replacement, lift up your carpet and mark where the mould stops. Cut it out and clean the surrounding areas of the surviving carpet. Then simply replace the section that is mouldy.

Can a mushroom grow in my carpet?

It’s crazy to believe but yes, mushrooms and even plants can grow inside your carpets. This happens when a part of your carpet is moist and is exposed to the sun so generally by windows.

If a mushroom has had time to grow in your carpet then it is probably not fixable. The mushroom itself will be highly toxic so keep pets and babies well away. Remove the carpet immediately and dispose of outside your home.

How to clean carpet without risking mould growth?

The only way mould can grow is if it is in a warm and moist environment. We cannot always control the temperature so it’s only logical that we dry the carpet as much as possible after cleaning it to prevent mould growth in your carpet.

First of all, don’t overwet the carpet to begin with! We have written a whole blog on ‘how to avoid over-wetting carpet when cleaning.’

Once you have cleaned the carpets using the right techniques, help your carpets dry as much as possible with drying aids such as fans, heating, and baking soda to name a few. If you want to know more, read our blog on ‘How long does it take carpet to dry after cleaning’ for some great tips.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our blog on whether or not carpet cleaning causes mould. We hope that you are much better informed about how to clean carpets properly to prevent this problem.

Mould in carpets are a real threat to your home and health, if you are worried that you have a bigger mould problem than you can tackle, call a remediation expert.

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