Black Stuff Under Carpet Pad: All You Need to Know

You know, a well-structured, clean inner environment with a good smell is very satisfying, and it is ideal for people who love to live a clean life, both mentally and physically. Having a house that is clean to the naked eye is a blessing to the people who live in that house.

In this article we discuss the cleanliness of the floor and carpets, especially the area under the carpets. We know that almost all of you may have seen that there is some black stuff under the carpet pad and are worried about cleaning it because you don’t know what the black stuff is and it keeps coming back after weeks. 

What is under my carpet padding? Usually the black stuff under the carpet can be the rubber residue from the old carpet or the present carpet pad, or they may be carpet glue which was not removed when changing the carpet, or they can be dust which has accumulated under the carpet for a long time. 

What are those black spots under the carpet?

The most frequent explanation is that old carpet’s glue or rubber remnants were left behind and eventually began to turn black. Water stains can occasionally appear after a carpet has been shampooed. Another possibility is that surface-grown mold or mildew has started to leave black spots behind.

How to clean the black stuff under carpet pad?

There are plenty of methods that you can use in order to clean out those black marks and such. So, the following are some of the best methods that you can try on your own. But if the black stuff is hardly bonded to the floor, then it is better to hire a house cleaner because your actions may damage the floor paint also. 

• Using mineral spirits [paint thinner]

This is the most preferred method by people. Just take some mineral spirit into a container and apply the spirit to the black marks by using a cloth. Then simply get a scrapper and scrape off the black marks. Do not use much force because it can damage the floor paint too. 

But before using the scrapper, try to remove the black stuff by just wiping with a cloth. If it works, there is no need to use scrappers. But if it is not working, then use a scraper and, again, do not damage the floor paint because it will cost you additional money to repair the floor. 

• Using a scrapper

If the black marks are rubber residue or something similar, then scraping is a simple solution. Just buy a good scrapper from the marker and you can clean the black marks on your own. 

But as mentioned earlier, make sure that you are not damaging the floor paint. If you are not sure you can do it on your own, just hire a cleaning person and he will do the job for you. 

• Using sand paper

This is not a pretty good idea if the stains are small and can be removed easily. If the stains are widely spread and cannot be removed easily, then this could be a better method because sanding will definitely remove the stains. 

But if you are okay with damaging the floor paint, then only use sanding to remove the black residue under the carpet. If you still want to clean the mess, and you’re tired of trying many things, then just use sand paper, and it will clean out the mess in minutes. 

• Hire a floor cleaner

This is the last option you’ve got if you still failed to clean out the black stuff under the carpet pad. The best thing about hiring a cleaner is that you don’t need to worry about how they clean out the stuff. What you just have to do is sit back, relax, and make payment after the work is completed. 

Is the padding under the carpet toxic?

It is not toxic if it is only the dust accumulated under the carpet. But if it is glue from the old carpet or rubber residue, then it can be toxic.

Whether it is toxic, the risk is very low because you are not trying to smell or taste the black stuff, huh. But if there are children in your house, I recommend you clean out that stuff regularly to avoid the risk of the children.

If you want to know more about the ingredients and the toxic nature of the carpet materials, then read this research on the toxicity of floor carpet materials. 

Can you get sick from pulling up old carpet?

To avoid allergies, asthma attacks, and fungal infections, you should clean your carpet frequently and replace it when it becomes worn. For homeowners who suffer from allergies or asthma, purchasing a high-quality low-pile carpet is a good choice.

Can black mold be removed from carpet?

It can be removed. But if it vastly spreads, then there is no use for trying to remove it. So, in such instances, you may have to change the carpet to a new one. But the black mold is small, so you can clean it by using breaking soda. 

Overnight, leave the mold covered in baking soda. The smell and moisture will be absorbed by the baking soda. The following day, use a scrub brush with a handle to scrub the surface after adding some vinegar to the mold spots. Scrub the carpet’s or rug’s back as well.

What is the black stuff on my subfloor?

Asbestos can usually be found in black stuff on your subfloor. You know generally asbestos is not good for long time use and can cause many diseases. 

The main issue is that some black mastics — but not all — might contain asbestos. Mesothelioma, a potentially fatal condition, has been linked to asbestos. Therefore, it’s crucial to recognize and appropriately handle black mold in your home before taking any action.

FAQs

Read also our guide: Black Spots On Carpet: How To Clean Them Out?