# Wall-to-wall carpet in a bathroom - good idea? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742 "2005-06-24T22:50:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/1 "2005-06-24T22:50:08Z")
I’ve just finished painting my bathroom and now I realize just how unutterably ugly the floor in there is. I was going to have someone put sheet vinyl on the floor in there until I found out what it would cost. Now I’m balking. The guy at the carpet store suggested industrial-type wall-to-wall carpet in the bathroom. I have seen a lot of this around here, probably because it is a lot cheaper than vinyl. However, carpet in a bathroom seems strange to me, maybe because I never saw this done before I got here. So, I’m soliciting opinions - is it reasonable to install a non-fluffy, office-type carpet in there? It’s easy to care for, cheap to install, and will hide anything I’m likely to spill. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/2 "2005-06-24T23:05:07Z")
When I moved into my house there was carpet in the upstairs bath. The guys living there before me occassionally missed the bowl. The carpet REEKED. I ripped it out and put down tile. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/3 "2005-06-24T23:23:52Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > So, I’m soliciting opinions - is it reasonable to install a non-fluffy, office-type carpet in there? It’s easy to care for, cheap to install, and will hide anything I’m likely to spill. Thanks. I can assure you it will not. I fear what I will find when I pull the bathroom carpet out of our townhouse. I’m afraid I may have to replace all the subflooring before I put tile down. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/4 "2005-06-24T23:28:38Z")
This is probably a bad idea. Beside the problems of urine stains and smells, carpet is going to be a moisture/mildew magnet. It ranks up there with suspended ceilings as my last choice for bathroom materials. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/5 "2005-06-24T23:41:01Z")
Carpet isn’t good if you’ve got children or a large bathroom, but in a small bathroom it does just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/6 "2005-06-25T00:02:41Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Carpet isn’t good if you’ve got children or a large bathroom, but in a small bathroom it does just fine. Among the things I do not want impregated in my carpeting, I’d rank urine, blood, and essence of fecal material pretty much near the top. Read **Chefguy’s** response. Then read Cecil’s column on the aerosolization that occurs when you flush a toilet. Throw in errant drips of blood, microscopic mold spores, and backsplashed urine microdroplets created when men urinate while standing and, basically, that beautiful carpeting belongs in a vault in the Centers for Disease Control. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/7 "2005-06-25T00:47:52Z")
No way it could be a good idea. Carpet in itself is alreadeay just _evil_. But besides that, a _wet_ carpet is an absolute nightmare. Moisture will make quickly it smell so bad that you’ll have no choice but getting rid of it ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/8 "2005-06-25T01:07:34Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > So, I’m soliciting opinions - Thanks. Like so many similar questions … It all depends! The whole house had just been carpeted and there was a left over scrap just wide and long enough to fit the bath. It was cut to fit the wall, vanity, and around the commode/w.c. NO Glue/nor cement, just drop in place over the old vinyl. Has worked fine. Use a bath mat to step out of the shower/tub. “We aim to please. You aim too, please,” 😉 Have also seen a carpeted kitchen as well as one with quarry tile floors. Those are for good cooks only, not for butter fingered ones. ---
**Author:** ![itanitme\_32301](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d78d45/32.png) [@itanitme\_32301](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/itanitme_32301)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/9 "2005-06-25T03:01:04Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > I’ve just finished painting my bathroom and now I realize just how unutterably ugly the floor in there is. I was going to have someone put sheet vinyl on the floor in there until I found out what it would cost. Now I’m balking. The guy at the carpet store suggested industrial-type wall-to-wall carpet in the bathroom. > > I have seen a lot of this around here, probably because it is a lot cheaper than vinyl. However, carpet in a bathroom seems strange to me, maybe because I never saw this done before I got here. > > So, I’m soliciting opinions - is it reasonable to install a non-fluffy, office-type carpet in there? It’s easy to care for, cheap to install, and will hide anything I’m likely to spill. Thanks. Another “never carpet a wet area” vote. I have installed vinyl tiles (bad idea), and am fairly handy, so when it comes time to cover the basement floor, I’m looking at a semi-decent sheet vinyl - Home Depot wants $50/sq. yard, a local hole in the wall outfit sells the same product for $40/ sq. yd. I’ve slung enough glue (ceramic tile) and know how to layout sheet vinyl, so for me, it’s DIY. Just curious - what was the estimate, and how large is the room? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/10 "2005-06-25T12:07:33Z")
I don’t mind carpet in the bathroom, but we are talking about a childless married couple in a very dry climate here. And I have good aim. Tile is really pretty easy to put down; we have that in our master bath. Add a couple through rugs and you’re all set. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/11 "2005-06-25T12:10:48Z")
My apartment has wall-to-wall everywhere but the (very small) bathroom. If you want bathroom carpeting, get throw rugs that can be picked up and put in the washing machine. You’ll thank me for this idea. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/12 "2005-06-25T12:13:15Z")
Don’t do it. It’s just horrible. Vinyl flooring was invented to serve a purpose. Even if you’re capable of keeping all biological matter aimed at its target (and will that always happen? - imagine if you get a nasty nosebleed, for one not-too-revolting image), other things are going to get onto the carpet. You’ll realise how much mouthwash smells if you manage to drop the bottle. Even the smallest bit of shaving foam or toothpaste is a pain to clean up. ---
**Author:** ![OliverTwistofLime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b487fb/32.png) [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/13 "2005-06-25T12:18:24Z")
Tile is the only way to go…Urine, blood, fecal stains are easily cleaned…Small throw rugs can be put on the tile floor if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/14 "2005-06-25T14:38:39Z")
> [@Lisa Simpson](#): > > I admit I haven’t known Mom as long as you have, but I know when she’s really upset. Her heart won’t just wipe clean like this bathroom countertop: it absorbs everything that touches it, like this bathroom rug. There’s a Simpson’s quote for every one of life’s situations. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/15 "2005-06-25T15:42:53Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > There’s a Simpson’s quote for every one of life’s situations. That’s beautiful, **Balthisar**. 🙂 On the subject at hand; I used to claim a “good aim” too, 'till my girlfriend of some years ago spread paper around the area of our toilet for a couple days. Nix on the carpet, in my enlightened opinion. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/16 "2005-06-25T16:00:01Z")
There’s a scene in _Counselling Day_ where a… well, let’s say ‘unsophisticated person’ was proud to have carpeted the bathroom. He was asked: ‘You’ve never had carpet, have you?’ ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/17 "2005-06-25T16:35:00Z")
Another “no carpet” vote here. Wet carpet, especially carpet that has been repeatedly dampened, develops an aroma all its own. It’s not pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/18 "2005-06-25T16:54:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I don’t mind carpet in the bathroom, but we are talking about a childless married couple in a very dry climate here. And I have good aim. Aim isn’t the only factor, old boy. Any man who has stood at a toilet and urinated–while wearing shorts (short pants)–can usually feel random droplets of urine/toilet water splashing back out of the toilet onto legs and floor. In one day, the amount of displaced urine is perhaps inconsequential. Over a period of months, the additive effect coats the entire area around the toilet with urine. I’ve stayed at some of the world’s nicest hotels. Never seen carpet in any of the restrooms. (Not even shag, baby.) Some people have no problems with urine-impregnated carpet. Different strokes, different folks. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/19 "2005-06-25T17:54:10Z")
If you must have carpet, you might investigate carpet tiles. These can be replaced individually if necessary, but still have that wet carpet smell / urine sponge problem. I have put in vinyl (not linoleum) tile in three bathrooms with excellent results if the floor is cement, not so great if it is a wood sub-floor. If you have any “do-it-yourself” ability of any sort, ceramic tiles are far and away the best solution and not too expensive. There is a fair amount of labor involved, so having it done is expensive. However, most major hardware chains (Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc.) give free classes on this and will rent you the tools for a nominal fee. ---
**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742/20 "2005-06-25T18:11:29Z")
Another “No” vote, after a few month it’ll stink of mildew and pee and if the toilet ever overflows Yuck! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wall-to-wall-carpet-in-a-bathroom-good-idea/309742.md?page=2)