If you have mold in your carpet, removing it quickly is the priority before it spreads further. Mold spores can cause health problems, particularly for people who are sensitive to mold, and carpet is one of the hardest surfaces to treat because spores are typically between 2 and 10 microns across, small enough to settle deep into carpet fibers and padding where scrubbing cannot reach them. On hard surfaces like metal or concrete, scrubbing with a cleaning solution is usually enough. Carpet requires more targeted techniques, and in some cases the carpet may need to be replaced entirely.
An air purifier running during and after treatment helps capture airborne mold spores that get disturbed during the cleaning process. Here are the most effective methods for removing mold from carpet for good, and how to decide which approach is right for your situation.
Key Takeaways
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Mold can usually be removed from carpet only if it is a small area, recently wet, and the backing and padding are still dry. If the padding is affected or the carpet still smells musty after drying, replace it.
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Mold spores are 2 to 10 microns across, small enough to settle deep into carpet fibers and padding where scrubbing cannot reach them.
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Steam cleaning has the strongest evidence behind it. A 2014 study found it removed over 99% of mold spores from carpet, compared to 82% for hot water and detergent.
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No cleaning method removes 100% of mold from carpet. The real goal is removing visible mold, drying the carpet completely, and keeping it dry.
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Mold can begin growing on wet carpet within 24 to 48 hours. Acting in the first day or two is the most effective thing you can do.
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Wear gloves, safety goggles, and an N-95 respirator when cleaning. A cloth or surgical mask will not filter mold spores.
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Running an air purifier during and after cleaning helps capture mold spores disturbed by the process.
Can You Get Mold Out Of A Carpet?
Sometimes, but not always, and the honest answer depends on how far the mold has got. Surface mold on a small area of carpet that has been wet for a short time can often be cleaned, and steam cleaning is the method with the best evidence behind it. If the backing or the padding underneath is affected, or the carpet still smells musty once dry, both the
EPA and the California Department of Public Health advise replacing it rather than cleaning it. No cleaning method removes 100% of mold from carpet, so the real goal is getting the carpet dry and keeping it dry.
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Situation |
What to do |
|---|---|
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Small area, recently wet, backing and padding dry, no musty smell after drying |
Clean it. Steam cleaning has the strongest evidence; see the method below |
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Backing or padding is moldy, or the carpet still smells musty after it dries, or the affected area is larger than about 10 square feet |
Replace it. Cleaning will not reach mold that has got into the backing |
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Flooding involving sewage or other contaminated water, or mold spreading beyond the carpet into walls or subfloor |
Replace, and bring in a professional. This is not a DIY job |
What to Consider Before Attempting Carpet Mold Removal
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Replacement is often the better option. The EPA advises that mold can grow into the empty spaces of porous materials, making it difficult or impossible to remove completely. Carpet, padding, drywall, ceiling tiles, and upholstery all fall into this category. Every major mold remediation guide recommends removing and replacing these materials rather than cleaning them.
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Check whether the carpet is salvageable. The California Department of Public Health recommends discarding wall-to-wall carpet if the carpet, backing, or padding is moldy or smells moldy after drying. Only throw rugs that can be thoroughly washed and dried without retaining odor are worth keeping.
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Discard immediately if flooding involved sewage. If the mold was caused by flooding that included sewage or contaminated water, the carpet cannot be salvaged and must be replaced. Read the full guide on mold cleanup after flooding for more on this.
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Wear proper safety gear throughout. Gloves, safety goggles, and an N-95 respirator are required. Cleaning disturbs mold spores and releases them into the air, and some chemical cleaners produce fumes. A cloth or surgical mask will not filter mold spores.
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Consider hiring a professional. Mold remediation contractors have specialist equipment and chemicals that make the job safer and more thorough. Costs vary by region and the size of the problem, but expect to pay $2,000 or more. If the affected area is large or the mold has penetrated the padding, professional remediation is strongly recommended.
If you have assessed the situation and decided to attempt removal yourself, here is the step-by-step process.
How to get mold out of carpet
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Ventilate and isolate the area properly. The goal is to prevent mold spores from spreading throughout other parts of the house, but still keep the area well-ventilated. Close doors or use plastic sheeting to block off some areas, and use fans to blow air out an open window or door that leads outside. It is more important to keep the area well-ventilated than it is to isolate the area, especially when using cleaning chemicals. Do this before you disturb anything, since brushing and vacuuming moldy carpet sends large numbers of spores into the air, and an unsealed room lets them settle everywhere else in the house.
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Use a stiff brush to remove as much visible mold as possible. Sweep the mold into a bag and discard it. You can use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for this, but there is a chance that mold spores will reside in or on the vacuum and spread to the rest of your house next time you use the vacuum. A non-HEPA vacuum might not properly contain mold spores.
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Scrub the affected area thoroughly with cleaner. Bleach is not necessary or recommended: both the EPA and the California Department of Public Health advise that ordinary detergent and water are enough for routine mold cleanup, and on a porous surface like carpet bleach mostly removes the colour rather than reaching the mold growing down in the fibres and backing. Some types of mold produce chemical compounds known as mycotoxins. Removing the mold and mold spores will help remove this concern as well.
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Allow the carpet to dry completely.
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Use a HEPA vacuum on the carpet again to remove as many spores as possible.
Optional steps:
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Apply an anti-fungal coating. These come in spray form and are available at most hardware stores. They can slow the formation of mold.
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Use a steam cleaner. This is the method with the best evidence behind it. In a 2014 study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, steam removed over 99% of mold spores from carpet that had been wet for 24 hours, compared with 82% for hot water and detergent and 81% for high-flow hot water extraction. A follow-up study by the same team in 2015 found that steam needs around 12 seconds of contact time on each area of carpet to achieve over 90% reduction, so working slowly matters more than going over the area repeatedly.
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A 2004 study found that bleach and detergent washing was the most effective method for reducing mycotoxins specifically. Steam cleaning did not reduce mycotoxin levels in that study, which is worth noting since steam is the strongest method for removing mold spores but not necessarily the compounds mold produces.
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Use a vinegar and baking soda mixture. This might kill some mold, and it will help remove musty odors from the carpet.
The same 2014 study found something worth acting on: the longer the carpet stays wet, the worse every method performs, but steam holds up far better than the others. After 30 days of dampness, steam was still removing over 99% of spores, while detergent and hot water had dropped to 60% and high-flow extraction to 43%. Both studies were run in a laboratory on carpet inoculated with a single mold species, so treat the percentages as a guide to which method to choose rather than a promise about your living room.
Can you Get Rid of All the Mold Spores ?
You will not get rid of all of the mold and mold spores. Even the most optimal mold removal methods in the studies cited above did not remove 100% of the mold. There will be some form of mold or mold spores left behind even after the most thorough cleaning.
The only way to prevent mold from forming again is to keep the carpet very dry. The area should be well-ventilated, with low humidity. You should also vacuum often. It can also help to use an air purifier in the area that is able to trap mold spores. Air purifiers with HEPA filters or using other forms of air purification technology can remove mold spores from the air. The Molekule PECO technology, however, is unique. Unlike traditional air purifiers that trap mold particles, the PECO technology can destroy mold spores from the air.
Once mold gets into carpet, it may be difficult to remove. If replacing the carpet is not an option, a thorough cleaning that prevents mold from spreading elsewhere in your house could solve the problem. Keep your carpets dry, and dry them out quickly if they get wet, to prevent mold from forming in the first place.
How long does it take for mold to grow on wet carpet?
Usually 24 to 48 hours. That is the window EPA gives for drying wet materials before mold becomes likely, and it is short enough that a carpet soaked on Friday can be a mold problem by Sunday. The research bears this out: in the 2014 carpet study cited below, mold loading on wetted carpet rose from roughly 1,500 colony forming units per square centimetre at 24 hours to around 10,200 at seven days. Acting inside the first day or two is the single most effective thing you can do, and it is far easier than removing mold once it has established.
Why is carpet mold a serious problem?
Mold in your house has a serious negative effect on air quality. Inhaling mold spores could lead to health problems, especially in people who are sensitive to mold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that people with mold sensitivity can experience upper respiratory symptoms, increased asthma symptoms and eye irritation when exposed to mold and mold spores.
A 2011 review of the epidemiologic evidence in Environmental Health Perspectives found consistent associations between indoor dampness or mold and respiratory and allergic health effects, including more severe asthma symptoms, though the authors noted that the causal links are not yet clear. Mold spores can also trigger allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies. This makes carpet mold especially problematic since children often play on the floor, and simply walking on moldy carpet can send spores into the air.
The musty mildew odor associated with mold can spread throughout your entire house. Mold also causes damage to the surfaces it grows on. Mold trapped under a carpet could end up damaging the floor or baseboards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get mold out of carpet completely?
No. Even the most effective cleaning methods in peer-reviewed studies did not remove 100% of mold spores. Steam cleaning came closest, removing over 99% in controlled conditions, but some spores will remain.
When should you replace moldy carpet instead of cleaning it?
Replace the carpet if the backing or padding is affected, if it still smells musty after drying, if the affected area is larger than about 10 square feet, or if the mold was caused by flooding involving sewage or contaminated water.
How long does it take for mold to grow on wet carpet?
Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of a carpet getting wet. Research found mold loading rose from around 1,500 colony forming units per square centimetre at 24 hours to over 10,000 at seven days.
What is the best method for removing mold from carpet?
Steam cleaning has the strongest evidence. A 2014 study found it removed over 99% of spores even after 30 days of dampness, significantly outperforming hot water and detergent and high-flow hot water extraction.
Is bleach effective for removing carpet mold?
No. Both the EPA and the California Department of Public Health advise that ordinary detergent and water are sufficient for routine mold cleanup. On porous surfaces like carpet, bleach mostly removes color rather than reaching mold growing deep in the fibers and backing.
How do I stop mold from coming back after cleaning?
Keep the carpet completely dry. Maintain low humidity and good ventilation in the room, vacuum regularly, and run an air purifier to capture any airborne mold spores before they can settle and grow.
