Why is mouldy carpet so hard to save?
Because carpet is porous all the way through. The EPA's guide to mould, moisture and your home explains that "mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely". It also lists "the underside of carpets and pads" among the places mould hides, which means the top of the carpet can look fine while the problem is underneath.
How do I tell what I am dealing with?
| What you see or smell | Likely situation | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Damp after cleaning or a spill, no smell | Normal drying | Fans, dehumidifier; dry within 24 to 48 hours |
| Musty smell, no visible growth | Moisture in the pad or below, possibly early growth | Find the water source; lift a corner and look at the pad and floor |
| Stains or discolouration that spread | Possible mould; Health Canada lists this as a sign | Treat it as mould; do not wet clean it |
| Visible fuzzy or spotted growth | Mould | Remove the carpet and pad, and fix the moisture |
Health Canada's mould guidance tells you to "look for stains or discolouration on floors, walls, window panes, fabrics and carpets". The table's right-hand column is our reading of the EPA and Health Canada advice, not a formal assessment.
Will a professional carpet cleaning kill mould?
Klein's makes no such claim, and you should be wary of anyone who does. A carpet clean removes soil from the fibres. It does not remove mould that has grown into the backing and pad, and putting water into a carpet that already has mould in it adds to the moisture that feeds it. The fix for mouldy carpet is to remove it and correct whatever made it wet.
How fast does wet carpet go mouldy?
Faster than most people expect. The EPA's flood cleanup guidance says "mold can grow on wood, drywall, carpet and furniture if they remain wet for more than 24 hours", and its mould guide adds that materials dried within 24 to 48 hours will, in most cases, not grow mould. That window is why fast drying after any wet cleaning matters; see how long carpet takes to dry.
How do I stop basement carpet going mouldy?
- Keep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, Health Canada's target; a hygrometer from a hardware store measures it.
- Run a dehumidifier in the basement, especially from June to September.
- Fix leaks, downspouts and grading that let water reach the foundation.
- Clear basement clutter; Health Canada notes cardboard boxes and old clothes "are great places for mould to grow".
- Deal with any spill or flood the same day, and dry it within 24 to 48 hours.
If water came in from outside or a drain, read carpet after a basement flood first. Clean, dry carpet is what Klein's looks after; see home carpet cleaning.
Get a free carpet cleaning quote
Tell us which rooms, how many stairs, and about any pets or stains. We reply within one business day, by phone or email, and the quote is agreed before anyone starts.