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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Best steam cleaner for my carpet (to kill all the damn moths 🙀)?

6 replies

Designless · 20/02/2026 15:25

I've been trying to pick one for ages but nothing seems quite right. Was close to getting a kärcher then someone said they're no good for that?

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated

OP posts:
zzplea · 20/02/2026 16:06

If the carpet is wool then I don't think you should use hot water/steam on it, because it will shrink. And if it's not wool then it's unlikely to have moth larvae.

Tortephant · 20/02/2026 16:09

You need to kill the lava/eggs and warm water will help them thrive. I would put something like bicarbonate of soda down as this will dry them out. Leave down for a few days hoover, repeat several times over a few weeks.
I'm happy to recommend the Vax carpet cleaners to use after that.

comeundone · 20/02/2026 16:10

You might be best of speaking to a pest control firm about suitable chemical treatments. For reasons pp mentioned I don't think self treatment with steam is a great idea unless you're prepared to have to get rid of the carpet (which may be the case if you've a lot of moths). Sympathy as I've stayed in a place with a moth infestation before and it was awful.

Nevergotdivorced · 20/02/2026 16:13

You need a smoke bomb.
It will mean leaving the house for 24 hours.

HappyBackHome · 20/02/2026 16:14

I would use (a lot of) diatomaceous earth - sprinkle it liberally all over the carpet and leave for 24-48 hours, then hoover really well. Repeat, if necessary. It will dry out the moths / larvae and kill them, it’s non-toxic, and it won’t shrink your carpet!

Designless · 20/02/2026 19:09

Thanks everyone, ok no steaming!

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