How to Detect Mold in Carpet

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

A moldy carpet can make your home smell bad and even cause health problems. If you think your carpet might have mold growing in it, there are a few things you can do to find out for sure. If you do find mold, try to clean or replace your carpet as quickly as possible before it spreads.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Checking for Signs of Mold

1
Smell your carpet to see if it has a musty odor. Mold has a distinct, off-putting smell. If your carpet smells bad, it may be a sign that it has mold in it.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal agency responsible for coordinating responses to disasters and states of emergency
Go to source}
- Keep in mind there are other reasons your carpet may smell bad. Look for other signs of mold before you take action.
2
Look on your carpet for any black, green, or white growth. If you see growth on your carpet, it’s most likely mold. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done to clean a carpet with visible mold on it. You may need to replace your carpet.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Look underneath your carpet for mold growth. Sometimes mold grows underneath a carpet before it starts growing on the top. If you’re inspecting an area rug, turn it over and check the bottom for mold. If you suspect there’s mold growing in your wall-to-wall carpeting, you may need to hire a professional to lift up the carpet and inspect it for you.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Check your carpets if you’ve been experiencing bad allergies. A moldy carpet can produce allergens that cause you to have allergic reactions. If you’re experiencing excessive sneezing, coughing, red eyes, runny nose, or rashes, inspect your carpets to make sure mold isn’t the cause.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Hire a professional mold inspection service. Sometimes mold is buried deep in the fibers of a carpet and you’ll need a professional’s help detecting it. Search online for a local mold inspection company and have them come test your carpet. They may be able to help you get rid of any mold they find.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Replacing a Moldy Carpet

1
Replace water-damaged carpets if they're not cleaned in 24 hours. After 24 hours, there's a high probability that mold is already growing on the carpet. If it's an area rug, roll it up and dispose of it. If it's wall-to-wall carpeting, you may need to hire professionals to remove the carpet for you.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Check the area around a moldy carpet to see if any mold has spread. Look at the floorboards underneath the carpet and check nearby furniture. There could also be mold on the trim along the base of nearby walls. If you find that the mold has spread, dispose of any moldy items. Clean up the mold or hire a professional to remove the mold from your home.^{[6]
X
Research source}
3
Clean up any mold on the floorboards or walls with bleach. Open all the windows and doors in the room so there's air circulation. Wear goggles and non-porous gloves while you work. Refer to the instructions on your bleach container for specific usage instructions.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners or you could create dangerous fumes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Carpet Mold

1
Know if your carpet is at high risk of developing mold. Carpets that are located in humid climates, below ground level, or in areas where there’s lots of water — like in a bathroom — are more susceptible to getting mold. If you have a carpet in one of these areas, try to keep it as dry as possible and frequently check it for signs of mold.^{[7]
X
Research source}
2
Clean and dry your carpet immediately if it’s exposed to standing water. Mold grows quickly on wet carpet, so it’s important that you take care of leaks and spills quickly. Remove the standing water from your carpet and steam clean your carpet with a carpet cleaner. Then, use fans to dry out the carpet.^{[8]
X
Research source}
3
Use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate. Molds, like most fungi, require water to start growing.^{[9]
X
Research source
Stocker, Susan. Personal interview. 8 November 2019.} Reducing humidity levels around your carpet will help prevent it from growing. Use the dehumidifier to keep humidity levels between 30-60 percent in any rooms you have carpet in.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You can also help to decrease humidity by opening your windows on warm, sunny days and replacing the AC filters in your home every few months.^{[11]
  X
  Research source
  Stocker, Susan. Personal interview. 8 November 2019.}
4
Place anti-microbial rubber carpet padding under your carpets. The padding is resistant to mold growth, and it will help keep your carpets dry.^{[12]
X
Research source}