Humidifier On Carpet: A Complete Guide

Humidifiers can be a great addition to a home, but you need to know how to use one properly – especially when it comes to using a humidifier on carpet.

We highly advise against using a humidifier on carpet for a number of reasons, mainly due to the fact that your carpet will absorb the moisture which can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Let’s take an in-depth look into why you should consider using a humidifier somewhere else in the home rather than in a carpeted room.

The Main Problem With A Humidifier On Carpet

The obvious issue with using a humidifier on carpet is that the excess moisture in the air will be absorbed into the carpet. This occurs faster with carpet materials that are prone to absorbing moisture such as wool.

Once your carpet becomes damp then it becomes susceptible to becoming a breeding ground for mold as well as physical changes in size due to the water.

Mold And Mildew

It goes without saying that a damp environment creates the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow, and a damp carpet is no exception to this rule.

Carpets tend to have a very large surface area as well which provides more area for mold and mildew to develop, and once it does it can become airborne rapidly.

Just imagine how many times you walk over your carpet in a day, each time knocking dust and particles into the air without realizing you are doing so.

Now imagine this but alongside the dust and other particles mold and mildew are also becoming airborne, which can lead to health issues and allergic reactions.

Carpet Buckling

Another issue with your carpet absorbing moisture is buckling.

Buckling, which can occur in hardwood flooring as well, is when the edges of your carpet begin to curl. This is often noticed when your carpet becomes uneven with the level of the floor and results in air bubbles forming underneath the carpet as a result of the moisture absorption.

How To Remove Moisture From A Carpet

Reversing the process is relatively simple, and if you’re concerned about excess moisture in your carpet from a humidifier then we’ve got the best ways to go about reversing the process below.

If you have already experienced mold, mildew or buckling you need to address these first, so simply scroll down to that section of the article to see how to tackle those issues.

Fan

One easy way to dry out a carpet is to place a fan pointed directly at the area that needs to be dried.

A fan will increase the rate of evaporation and in most cases can dry out a damp carpet in a matter of hours.

Dehumidifier

This one sounds a bit obvious but a dehumidifier is a great way to get moisture out of a carpet.

Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air, this in turn makes the air dry which will increase the evaporation of water content from the carpet to reach a new equilibrium with the air.

How To Fix Mold, Mildew and Buckling

Now that we understand the problems that a humidifier can cause to a carpet, let’s take a look at how difficult they are to fix.

Fixing Mold and Mildew

If your carpet has a significant build up of mold or mildew and you can physically smell it, you should really consider throwing your carpet away and starting from scratch as per the advice of the California Department of Public Health.

If you notice mold at the vert initial stages of its growth then you need to remove as much as possible using a brush, making sure to wear a face mask whilst doing so.

Discard any mold you have removed in a bag and then use a carpet cleaner to clean the entire area.

Once you’ve cleaned using a carpet cleaner, allow the carpet to dry. Once the carpet is entirely dry use a vacuum to remove any remaining spores. You can find an in-depth guide to removing mold from carpets here.

Fixing Carpet Buckling

Carpet buckling is one of those problems that only has one real solution, and that is to re-stretch the carpet.

This is a process that is best left to a professional and shouldn’t cost too much money, but it is the only way to get a carpet to fit back into place without replacing the entire thing.

What If Your Carpet Is Soaked Through?

If your carpet is soaked through entirely it will need to be cleaned and replaced professionally in most cases.

We have an entire guide to water damaged carpets here if you want a more in-depth look into this topic.

Luckily a humidifier will be more likely to make your carpet damp rather than soaked through entirely, but it is good to be prepared for any outcome.

How To Safely Use A Humidifier On Carpet

If you are required to use a humidifier for whatever reason in a carpeted room you need to regularly monitor the carpet for dampness as often as you can.

You should also use a hygrometer to monitor the level of humidity in the room to ensure it is not too high, and remember that you only need to use a humidifier if the air is dry with less than 40% humidity.

If the carpet starts to become even slightly damp then use the precautions mentioned previously to dry it out as soon as you can.