Mould on carpets is not a good look; it's not good for your health and can leave an unpleasant odour drifting around a room. The simple solution is to remove it. However, it's not always as straightforward as you might think.
There may be an underlying issue you haven't spotted that needs to be addressed. If this isn’t addressed, any mould removal technique you use won’t resolve the issue. Hopefully, it will be easier to address. Here, we look at what causes mould on carpet, the best methods to remove it and what to do to ensure it stays away.
Can you remove mould from carpet?
Here's the good news: yes, you can absolutely remove mould from carpet. That said, just as when it comes to how to remove mould from fabric, you will need to take care not to damage the carpet in the process. It is also important to protect yourself from any potentially harmful mould spores present by wearing gloves, a mask and eye protection.
You need to be aware that if the carpet is very badly damaged from prolonged exposure to damp or if rot has set in, it may well be best to start shopping around for a new carpet.
Lee Keet started as a hands on cleaning technician, building a leading cleaning services business. Gaining hands on knowledge and training in a range of cleaning aspects, from eco-friendly products to best practices.
Try these to help remove mould from carpets
This carpet cleaner features a high-pressure spray that penetrates deep into the fibres and a powerful suction that extracts dirt and moisture for fast drying.
A whisper-quiet dehumidifier operating at 40dB, it removes up to 14 L of water per day. In addition to its near-silent operation, it includes a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter to clean the air.
A cordless vacuum cleaner features a 550W brushless motor that delivers significantly lower noise at 45dB. An 8-cell high-capacity battery offers up to 65 minutes of run-time.
What causes mould on carpet?
Before cleaning mould from your carpets, it is important to understand how it got there in the first place. Mould in houses can occur for several reasons, as Lee Keet, Founder of Vapor Clean Ltd, shares, “Mould on carpets is almost always caused by excess moisture combined with poor airflow. Common triggers include leaks, flooding, high humidity, wet shoes or pets, spillages that were not fully dried, or carpets laid over damp subfloors.”
He adds, “Because carpet fibres and underlay can trap moisture deep down, mould can start growing underneath long before it becomes visible on the surface.”
Do natural mould removers work on carpet?
Many people are keen to keep chemicals out of their homes as much as possible, and when it comes to mould removal, there are several natural remedies to try.
Keet says, “Natural remedies such as white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and tea tree oil can work on very small, early-stage mould patches. Vinegar can kill some mould spores, bicarbonate of soda helps absorb moisture and odours, and tea tree oil has mild antifungal properties.”
To use vinegar, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then apply the solution to the affected area. Allow the solution to sit for 15-20 minutes, then blot the area with a clean, dry cloth, repeating until the mould is completely removed.
You can also use another household staple – baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda over the mould and let it sit for a few hours. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda and any trapped mould spores. This method is best for mild cases of mould growth.
But these aren’t permanent solutions as Keet explains, “These solutions only treat surface growth and will not resolve mould that has spread deep into the carpet or underlay.”
Can you steam clean carpets?
There is no reason why you can't use a steam cleaner to remove mould from carpets – they are not just for cleaning hard floors. However, Keet warns, “Steam cleaning can help in some situations, but it is not a guaranteed mould fix.”
He adds, “High-temperature steam can kill surface mould spores, but if the moisture source is not addressed or the carpet is not dried quickly and thoroughly, steam cleaning can actually make the problem worse.”
Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager for Total Clean, adds, “Steam pushes moisture and spores deeper into backing and underlay. For small spots, a technician may use water extraction with antimicrobial and forced drying.” If it's wet for too long, the problem worsens, and you’ll end up needing to replace the carpet.
Having been involved in the cleaning industry since 2010, Henrique Conceicao started off as an office cleaner and worked his way to the position of Area Manager at Total Clean - managing countless cleaning projects covering offices, medical facilities, retail and leisure properties, car showrooms, schools and colleges and hospitality venues.
Which specialist solutions are effective on mould stains?
If natural solutions prove ineffective for you, then it might be time to try a specialist carpet cleaning solution such as 1001 Carpet Stain Remover from Amazon. If you are unsure whether it will be suitable for your carpet, you can check with your manufacturer or test it out on a small, hidden spot of carpet first.
If the stains are particularly bad or you are dealing with a very large area of staining, you might want to think about hiring a carpet cleaner for the job. These machines can be hired for a day rate and are generally very effective.
Alternatively, you could take advantage of some of the early Black Friday deals on carpet cleaners and buy one – the SharkCarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner with Built-In StainStriker from Very is currently being offered for £199, offering a saving of £100 on the usual price.
In severe cases of mould growth, or if you're not comfortable cleaning your carpets yourself, you could employ the services of professional cleaners. A professional cleaner will have the equipment and expertise to remove mould from your carpets safely and effectively.
Preventing mould on carpets
Going forward, you will obviously be keen to avoid repeating the process of removing mould from your carpets, and there are several steps you can take to help.
You need to start monitoring signs of excess moisture in your house. Keet says, “Preventing mould on carpets comes down to moisture control. Fix leaks promptly, dry spills immediately, use dehumidifiers in damp rooms, and ensure good ventilation.”
Conceicao reinforces the actions you need to take to prevent mould on carpets: “Keep indoor humidity below 60% (ideally 40–55%), ventilate well, and fix leaks promptly. Dry spills within 24 hours, use dehumidifiers after wet weather, and improve insulation around cold floors.”
To help stop a mould issue, Conceicao adds, “Choose moisture-resistant underlay, avoid carpet in damp rooms, vacuum regularly, and ensure professional cleans include fast, thorough drying.”
Look out for damp, a leading cause of mould, and address it promptly. Knowing the signs of damp can go a long way towards preventing mould on surfaces throughout the home.
However, when it comes to carpets in particular, there are some steps you can take to safeguard them against mould.
- Make the vacuum cleaner your best friend: Regular vacuuming is one of the best things you can do to prevent mould growth on your carpets – at least once a week, and more often if you have pets or live in a particularly dusty environment.
- Don't allow carpets to get wet: If you spill something on your carpet, clean it up quickly to prevent moisture from seeping into the fibres. Applying a solution of water and vinegar to the area will disinfect it.
- Don't dry laundry in carpeted rooms: If possible, avoid hanging your laundry to dry in rooms with carpet – stick to those with hard flooring, such as tile.
- Consider buying a dehumidifier: it is an effective tool in the fight against damp and mould.
- Invest in a carpet protector: Carpet protector solutions can be highly effective at preventing mould growth on your carpets. They work by preventing spills and stains from penetrating the fibres of your carpet, reducing the risk of mould growth.
FAQs
How do carpet cleaning machines work?
If you are thinking about hiring or buying a carpet cleaning machine you might like to know how they work before paying out.
Carpet cleaners use a combination of carpet shampoo or cleaning solution and water in a water tank. The special tools and powerful brush heads they are fitted with dig deep into the pile of carpet and pull up all the dirt, grime and bacteria lurking in there. The dirty water is then extracted into a dirty tank.
Before hiring or buying one, do be sure that the model you are looking at will fit through your doorways and make sure you get your hands on the right type of carpet cleaning solution to use with your carpet and machine.
Are steam cleaners safe for natural carpets?
If you have opted for natural carpets in your home, you may need to take a little more care when removing mould stains. Natural fibre floorings do not like water, so the better option is to dry clean the carpet.
Mould on carpets is just one of the mould hotspots you can have in your home. Some are more obvious, such as yellow mould on walls, but you should consider testing for mould in other areas of the home to address the issue before it becomes too serious.
