Will Steam Cleaning Cause Carpet Mold?

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Carpet Mold

Carpet, like almost everything else, is susceptible to mold under the right conditions. Mold, generally, is caused by a higher than normal level of moisture in a home. This can come in the form of above average humidity, leaking pipes, standing water, or any other situation in which moisture gets into an area and remains there. Mold is often thought of as occurring in walls where pipes are leaking or in kitchens and bathrooms where humidity and moisture is commonplace.

Any time that carpeting becomes excessively wet, the possibility of mold increases exponentially. This is particularly true in areas of carpeting which don’t have good air flow. Spilling drinks or small containers of water is not typically a problem, but if the carpeting becomes excessively wet due to high humidity in the home or as a result of a leak, the chances for mold increases. This is because the liquids will seep not only through the carpeting itself, but through the layers of padding underneath the carpet (where it will remain for much longer). Basement carpet and carpet that feels damp to the touch are also areas that are prone to molding.

There are a few things to look out for when trying to determine whether or not your carpet has mold:

  • Discoloration or odor – Discoloration on the carpet (usually lighter than the surrounding carpet on dark carpets) or an odor like mildew may be a sign of carpet mold.
  • Visible mold growth – It is somewhat rare to actually see mold growing on the top of the carpet, but it does happen. It is more likely that mold will be in the padding underneath the carpet where it cannot be readily identified.
  • Unidentifiable stains with accompanying odors – If you find stains on your carpet and cannot identify where they are coming from (no spills that you are aware of) and they are accompanied by odors (besides urine, which is very easy to distinguish), it may be a sign of mold. Further analysis of the area may be necessary.

Is Carpet Mold Dangerous?

Carpet mold, just like any kind of mold, can be dangerous. Allergic reactions to mold are extremely common and can include things such as fever, watery and red eyes, runny nose, swelling around the nose and eyes, and some symptoms like those of hay-fever. The symptoms are not always immediate and can take place long after exposure. Some people who encounter mold may wind up with chronic conditions if the mold is not removed in a reasonable amount of time. Mold also commonly release spores into the air which can get into the respiratory passages and cause infections there. Allergic reactions to mold spores are also common. Mold can also release dangerous chemicals known as mycotoxins which can be harmful to humans.

Steam Cleaning and Carpet Mold

Steam cleaning can cause carpet mold under the following conditions:

  • Vacuum is not properly applied after cleaning – The lack of a proper vacuum during the steam cleaning process will leave too much water in the carpet. This problem is, at times, hard to diagnose. A slight loss in suction could lead to a lot of water being left behind but would not be readily apparent to the technician. This could be caused by a drop in RPMs on the cleaning machine or a kink in the vacuum hose.
  • Cleaning uses too much water – Excess water can occur during the cleaning due to any number of factors. This excess water is not good. Extra vacuuming will be required to remove it. This is something that should be readily apparent to the technicians as they are performing the cleaning.
  • Lack of heat in the water – Lack of heat in the water will allow cool water to enter the carpet. This can lead to molding and, at the very least, will not kill any mold or spores that are already in the carpet. This could exacerbate and already bad problem.
  • Rented steam cleaning machines – One of the most common causes of carpet mold is the use of rented steam cleaning machines (like the type that one can get from Wal-Mart). These may seem like a cheap alternative to a professional cleaning, but

Steam cleaning, when done properly, is actually one of the best ways to remove mold from carpet. The high powered vacuum is able to remove most of the mold spores and excess water from the carpet. Chemical agents that are used in the cleaning itself, when combined with the extreme heat of the water used during the cleaning, will kill any remaining mold spores and mold itself that is in the carpet. Once the carpet has been cleaned, check for excess dampness once the allotted drying time has passed. If the carpet is still wet, it may be a good idea to consult the company that performed the cleaning to make sure everything is still alright. Though the technician who performed the cleaning should have advised you to do so, it bears repeating: make sure to keep the air conditioning (or heat, depending on the time of the year) running during the drying time and try and make sure you have air flow in the area by cutting on fans.

Steam cleaning should not be the cause of carpet mold in most cases. Unless the procedure is performed in the wrong way or done by untrained technicians, the risk of carpet mold is minimal. Carpet mold is much more likely to occur as a result of either a leak or excess humidity in the home. Can steam cleaning cause carpet mold? Yes. But only if the steam cleaning is done improperly to begin with.