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HomeFAQCarpet Cleaning Q&ADoes using hot water to clean carpets cause mold growth?

Does using hot water to clean carpets cause mold growth?

No. Most carpets are made with synthetic fibers. Mold needs an organic food source to grow. Mold can grow on wool or cotton rugs, however most natural fibers are cleaned using low-moisture, dry encapsulation, or dry solvent cleaning. Even with natural fiber rugs and blends, there is little to no danger of mold growth after cleaning. Carpets should never be saturated when they are cleaned. After cleaning, carpets should be damp to the touch. With proper air circulation, most carpets dry within 1 to 6 hours of being steamed. Proper air circulation is very important to carpet drying time. Improper air flow and high humidity can prolong drying times significantly. Also, additional treatments such as topical enzyme treatment, carpet protector, or deodorizers can extend drying times.

Listed below are a few facts about mold:
– Mold needs an organic food source to grow. Most carpets are made from synthetic fibers and mold cannot grow without a food source, such as wood, cellulose, or any other organic material. However, mold CAN grow on a piece of organic matter that is embedded within carpet fibers.  Most often, carpets have millions of mold spores trapped within the fibers. Regular vacuuming and cleaning helps to keep these allergens down to a minimum.  Mildew has often been found to grow on carpets in vacant homes and around inadequately sealed windows. Ask one of our customer care associates about out carpet & upholstery allergen reduction service.

– Organic materials would have to remain saturated at a 20% or higher moisture content for 72 hours before mold starts to grow. Generally, mold would begin to grow on wooden tack strip underneath the carpet and on baseboards surrounding the carpet after 3 full days of saturation.

– Mildew, a fungus like mold, can appear as blue, green, or black and is most often mistaken for mold. Mildew can often be found growing on window sills, around bath rooms, or anywhere likely to be affected by high humidity. A good way to tell if it’s mold or not, is to see if it’s growing on something organic. (Mold can grow on sheet rock, as it is coated in paper, which is made from wood.)

– Bleaching an area colonized with mold can make the situation worse.  On impact bleach lives up to it’s name and bleaches the stalks of a mature mold colony.  Thus, the mold appears to disappear.  Unfortunately, when a mold colony is disturbed, the organisms immediately release millions of spores, which are then transported to other previously unaffected areas where they may take root and colonize.  Mold species emit dangerous chemicals called mycotoxins which can make you very ill and even cause death. Mold colonies should only be disturbed and removed by a licensed professional.

– When administering mold tests, it’s a good idea to call a professional mold tester or a professional remediation company. There are mold spores everywhere and on everything, even in the air we breathe. If a food source is provided and the atmosphere is suitable, the spores can take root and colonize.  Therefore, it is quite possible for a DIY mold test to return a positive result on just about anything anywhere. Mold tests should almost always be administered by a qualified professional.