How to Clean Mushrooms off Carpet (So They Don’t Grow Again!)

The first time you noticed mushrooms sprouting on your carpet, you probably freaked out. Who wouldn’t?

Mushrooms growing on your carpet speak volumes about the rug and home’s condition. They produce a stuffy stench, encourage microscopic organisms and possible pest outbreaks, and cause breathing problems.

Although they produce what looks like a permanent stain, you can get rid of mushroom stains from your carpet and eliminate any germs, pests, or mold. All you need are 3 things: your humble vac, a steam cleaner, and protective equipment!

This guide will teach you 3 things: why your carpet attracted fungi to begin with, how to remove them properly, and how to prevent them from sprouting again!

Why Mushrooms Grow on Carpets

One word: moisture.

ANY dampness on your carpet, floor, or room creates favorable environment for mushrooms to thrive. Their spores fly around all the time. But they won’t decide to settle in if there’s not enough moisture.

Where mushrooms grow signals the presence of other fungi, such as molds. That’s because mushroom buds grow where there are enough nutrients to foster the growth of other fungi.

Unattended, damp carpets emit a pungent stench and create a ripe breeding ground for pests and, ultimately, diseases. As for mushrooms and molds, they can have a nasty effect on your health, particularly if you suffer from respiratory issues!

Proper Way to Clean Mushrooms off the Carpet

Getting rid of mushrooms on your carpet is not just a matter of uprooting them and tossing them away. There is a lot more that needs doing.

Firstly, you must observe some serious safety precautions. Considering the potential danger mushrooms cause, I strongly recommend contacting a professional cleaning company. I would do it too, even though I’m a professional cleaner!

But if you insist on cleaning the carpet on your own, arm yourself with the following must-have tools:

• Protective gear
• Vacuum cleaner
• Steam cleaner

Follow these steps to safely and effectively remove mushrooms from your carpet:

1. Put on protective gear like gloves, closed shoes, a face mask, safety goggles, and a long-sleeved bodysuit.
2. Carefully uproot the mushrooms and throw them away.
3. Scrap the affected area with a scraper to remove molds and mushroom spores.
4. Remove the remaining chunks of fungi from your carpet using a vacuum cleaner.
5. Disinfect your carpet using a steam cleaner. Steam will kill off any vermin you can think of. Not just fungi but also carpet beetles and dust mites!
6. Dehumidify your carpet and move carpet if possible, then disinfect the floor using the steam cleaner.
7. Run a dehumidifier on the area to dry up any moisture and stop the growth.

Don’ts of Cleaning Molds

• Don’t touch the mushrooms using bare hands or step on the affected area barefoot. You risk picking infectious fungi and other microscopic organisms.
• Don’t clean the area without a face mask and goggles. You may react to some allergens like mushroom spores.
• Don’t eat the mushrooms. Believe it not, they are more toxic when breathed in than eaten. But most carpets have toxic substances such as formaldehyde that may cause food poisoning.

How to Prevent Mushrooms from Breeding in Your Home

If you fail to take preventive measures, you will spend your days cleaning mushrooms off your carpet and treating preventable diseases.

The best way to completely get rid of mushrooms is to starve them. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Vacuum clean all corners of your home.
2. Use a steam cleaner to disinfect all surfaces safely.
3. Dehumidify your home frequently to keep your home dry.
4. Always keep your home well ventilated by opening the windows and air vents to allow unrestricted airflow. Alternatively, you can use a fan.
5. Check behind and under the cupboards, beds, and other dark areas to ascertain that the sites are dry and free from molds or mushroom spores.
6. Call professionals to fix any leaking area.
7. Do thorough cleaning at least once a fortnight.
8. Always keep wet areas like your bathroom and below your kitchen sink dry.

FAQs

What do mushrooms growing in the house mean?

It means that your carpet or the flooring area below it has moisture. But the thing is, carpets are excellent at soaking up humidity from air and trapping it in. So if you live in a humid area or your house is dark, make sure to constantly ventilate! Or get a dehumidifier.

Is it safe to eat mushrooms growing on carpets?

No. Most carpets have toxic organic compounds that the mushrooms absorb as they grow. These substances may cause food poisoning.

Can my children be harmed by mold and mushrooms growing out of my bathroom wall?

Yes, growing mold and mushrooms can harm your children. They contain allergens that can cause coughing, runny nose, and wheezing. But even if your kids don’t have sensitive lungs, you don’t want them to live in a smelly house!