Did you just discover some black stuff under the carpet pad and are freaking out? There’s no need to worry as the stuff might not be dangerous after all (at least in most cases).
Most household black spots can be removed or treated easily, as highlighted in this guide.
Remember, the cleanliness of your home is vital to your health and boosts your physical confidence. Once they have put a carpet in its place, many people usually clean the top part and assume that the lower part is always clean. But you will discover dirt buildup or some other black stuff over time.
What is Black Stuff Beneath a Carpet?
These are black particles that form below the carpet pad. The black stuff forms from remnants of rubber or glue used to stick the pad that starts to wear off. Also, after shampooing your carpet, leave it dry completely to avoid water stains from forming, which can lead to black spots. Moreover, the presence of mold or mildew may also be the cause.
How to Identify the Black Spots?
You should identify the origin of the black spots to know the best way to remove them.
Mold or Mildew Black Spots
Mildew or mold spots are noticeable since they have some moist sheen. Mold spots can be differentiated from mildew as they have a distinctive smell.
Dirt Accumulation
This is most possibly the main cause of black spots under your carpet. Since carpets attract dirt if left uncleaned, the dirt then forms into a blackish powder.
Rubber or Glue Spots
You may notice that the black pieces are hard and raised a bit. They are probably the residues from the breakdown of the glue or rubber from the pad. This means that your carpet is getting old.
How to Remove the Black Stuffs Below Your Carpet Pad?
The following are easy DIY procedures that efficiently remove black spots under the carpet pad. However, stubborn stains can be hard to remove as they may have stuck on the floor. Then it’s time to call a professional house cleaner since forcing out the residues may damage your precious floor.
Despite the method, you choose to use to remove the residue below a carpet, clean up the floor with water and your preferred cleaning agent. This is to remove all germs left behind and leave the floor to dry before putting the carpet back.
Use a Scrapper
If the black residue is due to dirt, rubber, or glue, it can be removed effortlessly with a scrapper. To use, first, flip over the carpet and scrap off the black substances. Ultimate caution should be practiced when scrapping to leave the floor painting intact.
Use Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits
Many people find the method to be the most efficient. Take a substantial amount of mineral spirit or paint thinner, pour it on a piece of cloth, and apply it on the black spots. Then remove the residue by wiping it off with a cloth.
But, if the above doesn’t work, use a crapper after applying the spirit to eliminate all the black marks. Still, take care to use little force to preserve the floor Paint because if damaged will give you more extra costs for repairs.
Use Sandpaper
Small stains that haven’t spread widely can be removed with the above two methods. Sandpaper is a better option for hard-to-remove stains that have spread to a large area in minutes. However, sandpaper can destroy some floors.
Use a Sweeping Brush
If the black stuff is merely the accumulation of dirt, then you are lucky. You won’t need items like scrappers or mineral spirit since dirt can be swept away easily using a broom or firm brush.
Hire a Professional Floor Cleaner
Call a certified house cleaner if you have tried all the methods and can still not remove the black kinds of stuff beneath your carpets. The best part is that you wait till the cleaning is done and pay. Do not worry about damage to the floors, as cleaning companies know what to use on what surface without doing guesswork.
Steps for Removing Black Stuff Under a Carpet Pad
These general steps are important to remove black mold, mildew, glue, rubber, or dirt residue beneath your carpets.
- Put on protective items like masks, gloves, or safety glasses
- Remove the carpet inspect the black stuff and figure out if it is dirt, mold, or mildew
- Use a stiff but firm brush to remove dirt or mold. You can use a scrapper to remove glue or rubber residue. For either residue, use sandpaper if it covers a wide area
- Apply diluted spirit or an enzymatic cleaner to remove any leftovers
- For cleaning up the area; wipe with a wet rug and let it dry, or use a vacuum cleaner
FAQs
Does Black Mold Grow Under the Carpet Pad?
Carpets and their paddings have the outstanding capability of absorbing and retaining moisture. Also, the space between the carpet and the floor receives no light, thus aiding bacteria growth. This makes them a good site for molds and mildew to breed if they go uncleaned.
How to Prevent the Growth of Black Stuff Under Carpets?
It’s better to work towards preventing dark spots below your carpets since removal isn’t easy, especially for molds. To prevent such spots, ensure the room receives enough light, clean the mats regularly and vacuum them dry in case of spills.
Is the Carpet Padding Toxic?
If the residue accumulated is from dirt, then it’s not toxic. Rubber or glue residue can be toxic because of the ingredients used to make them. Many synthetic carpet paddings are manufactured using nylon or polyester and mixed with other toxic chemicals.
Other carpet paddings like polyurethane are made with recycled wastes, which are cost-effective. The disadvantage is that they include V0Cs (Volatile Organic Compounds), thus toxic and will harm your health. Paddings from natural fibers like animal hair or jute as the best alternatives as they are eco-friendly and good for allergic people.
Carpets and rugs are important as they provide insulation and improve your home’s aesthetic beauty. But if overlooked by not cleaning appropriately by paying special attention to the padding below, it can lead to the growth of unhealthy black stuff. Luckily, you can remove the black spots or call a house cleaning agency if you find it hard or are short of time.