# Why carpeting in bathrooms? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438 "2013-07-14T00:40:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/21 "2013-07-14T12:54:52Z")
I once read in a house hold tip column that she used indoor/outdoor carpeting in her kitchen and bath because it was easier on her feet and was good at hiding stains. Since they were both small areas she could buy remnants and they were cheap and easy to replace, just cut to fit. I think she said she replaced the carpet once or twice a year. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/22 "2013-07-14T13:46:31Z")
^ That starts to make some sense. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/23 "2013-07-14T14:10:52Z")
> [@sahirrnee](#): > > I once read in a house hold tip column that she used indoor/outdoor carpeting in her kitchen and bath because it was easier on her feet and was good at hiding stains. Since they were both small areas she could buy remnants and they were cheap and easy to replace, just cut to fit. > I think she said she replaced the carpet once or twice a year. I can second that emotion. I never wear shoes (and not always socks) in the house any time of the year, and stone, ceramic or even wood is not comfortable. I have a short-nap carpet in the kitchen and replace it when needed. Doesn’t cost much for a small room, even for a custom installation. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/24 "2013-07-14T15:50:13Z")
I never wear shoes, socks, or slippers in my home, either, yet I find the different floor textures and materials interesting, not uncomfortable. Different strokes, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/25 "2013-07-14T17:40:05Z")
it’s there to improve people bathroom habits. hard surface floor: so what if some pee gets on the floor, it will wipe right up sooner or later. carpet: if i dribble a drop it’s going to stain and stink. i’ll even wipe the toilet seat happens as a neatness spillover (ha punny). ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/26 "2013-07-14T17:54:16Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I can second that emotion. I never wear shoes (and not always socks) in the house any time of the year, and stone, ceramic or even wood is not comfortable. I have a short-nap carpet in the kitchen and replace it when needed. Doesn’t cost much for a small room, even for a custom installation. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a kitchen with carpet. If I had to replace kitchen carpet as needed, that would probably mean once a month. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/27 "2013-07-14T18:02:04Z")
I’ve seen houses with carpet in the kitchen. It was hideous and this was the 70s. Same with bathrooms. Give me vinyl, tile, wood or laminate with area rugs any day. I have carpeting that I would love to tear out on the stairs and in the downstairs living areas, but I just can’t afford the expense of new flooring at the moment. Maybe someday… ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/28 "2013-07-14T19:14:03Z")
The house my parents lived in when I was born had blue shag carpet in every room of the house (including the bathroom), except for the kitchen. That room had this nasty orange diamond patterned low-pile carpet. Yes, this was the mid-70s. They ripped the blue shag out when I was learning to walk, Mom said I kept getting tripped up by the carpet. I can’t remember what they put in the rest of the rooms, but my bedroom got vinyl tile and a big throw rug. But that hideous orange stayed in the kitchen until they sold the house. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/29 "2013-07-14T19:21:57Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a kitchen with carpet. If I had to replace kitchen carpet as needed, that would probably mean once a month. Hey! Stop spilling your drinks and shit all over my carpet! What do you think this is, a zoo? ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/30 "2013-07-14T20:09:22Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a kitchen with carpet. If I had to replace kitchen carpet as needed, that would probably mean once a month. I have \*never \*seen carpet in a kitchen or a bathroom, and was surprised to see that so many people have. Rugs, yes, but not carpet. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/31 "2013-07-14T20:23:48Z")
My husband came home with linoleum and carpet for the bathroom. His bright idea was to place the linoleum in the half of the bathroom where the shower is located, and put down the carpet on the other half, where the toilet is located. I came home _just_ in time, had somewhat of a meltdown, and absolutely forbade him to put the carpet down. So, now we have a roll of new carpet in the basement, and only half the bathroom floor has linoleum on it. Boy, was he ticked off at me! He finally saw things my way, thank Deity. Honestly, though. It’s gross to have carpet in the bathroom! I do use throw rugs in there. Eventually, we’ll get around to yanking out what linoleum is in there, and get enough to finish the entire floor. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/32 "2013-07-15T03:34:07Z")
> [@nonacetone](#): > > My husband came home with linoleum and carpet for the bathroom. His bright idea was to place the linoleum in the half of the bathroom where the shower is located, and put down the carpet on the other half, where the toilet is located. I came home _just_ in time, had somewhat of a meltdown, and absolutely forbade him to put the carpet down. > > So, now we have a roll of new carpet in the basement, and only half the bathroom floor has linoleum on it. Boy, was he ticked off at me! His fault for initiating a home ‘improvement’ without getting your OK first. I thought we’d moved past this sort of thing, where the guy figures he can do whatever he wants to the house and/or yard without even checking with his wife first, about 3-4 decades back. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/33 "2013-07-15T03:48:04Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > His fault for initiating a home ‘improvement’ without getting your OK first. I thought we’d moved past this sort of thing, where the guy figures he can do whatever he wants to the house and/or yard without even checking with his wife first, about 3-4 decades back. It was probably my own fault, truth be told. He _did_ ask me about it before I left. I had some things to do that particular day, and wasn’t in the mood to be bothered with bathroom remodeling. I learned my lesson, though. Gah! I told him that it really didn’t matter to me what he did with the bathroom, and to go ahead and deal with finding everything to fix it up. It’s an old house, and anything was better than what was in there. That was my first mistake. I just assumed that he would inherently know that you don’t put carpet in the bathroom. He’s usually a pretty intelligent guy. I don’t know what happened with his brain when he walked into Lowe’s. They must spray some sort of mind-numbing crap into the air that makes people lose all common sense. Anyway, apparently he wasn’t psychic that day, and couldn’t have possibly have read my mind. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/34 "2013-07-15T05:13:15Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > Our first house came with gray berber carpeting in every room, even kitchen and bathroom. Underneath it was beautifully preserved red oak, vintage white hexagonal tiles, and some really hideous (but at least washable) 1970s vinyl. I keep hearing these stories. In _our_ house, under the hideous carpet was concrete (on the bottom floor) or hideous wood sub-floor (upstairs). From watching HGTV, I’d assumed I was entitled to find lovely wood floors when I pulled up the carpet! ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/35 "2013-07-15T07:55:17Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I have \*never \*seen carpet in a kitchen or a bathroom, and was surprised to see that so many people have. The first house my former-spouse and I moved into had carpet tiles in the kitchen, and pink old lady carpet in the bathroom. He replaced the bathroom carpet with cork tiles (which he didn’t seal properly, so they went mouldy), but the gross stained carpet tiles were still there when we sold up and left. Now that I think about it, the house after that had carpet in its bathroom too, but he’d learned his lesson and put waterproof laminate flooring down that time! ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/36 "2013-07-15T11:49:32Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > I keep hearing these stories. In _our_ house, under the hideous carpet was concrete (on the bottom floor) or hideous wood sub-floor (upstairs). From watching HGTV, I’d assumed I was entitled to find lovely wood floors when I pulled up the carpet! Years ago (more than I care to admit to) I bought a row house in the city and I knew there were hardwood floors under the carpet. What I didn’t know was that the previous owner had _ **GLUED** _ the carpet to the hardwood. The same way you would glue down tile. I had to rip the carpet up in pieces and try to scrape up the glue. Being young and stupid I didn’t wear a mask and probably inhaled all kinds of stuff not meant for human lungs. After finding out what it would have cost to have the floors refinished $1000+, this was over 30 years ago, I gave up and got new carpeting put in for $300. I also found out the reason why I kept falling down the stairs, no padding under the carpeting, you need an strip along the edge to keep your foot from sliding. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/37 "2013-07-15T12:09:07Z")
> [@ski](#): > > My wife and I have been looking at a lot of houses recently, and one thing neither of us understands is people that have carpeting in their bathrooms, including in the toilet room. > > Bathrooms get a lot of water splashed around, urine dribbles, shower splashes, shaving cream blobs, toothpaste accidents, and even toilet overflows. Having carpet in such an environment seems really, well, kinda odd. Tile or linoleum, accompanied by floor mats, is clearly much easier to keep clean. At least it is to us. > > So what’s the deal? Please fight our ignorance, why do people have carpet in these areas, and how do they keep it clean? Either someone’s a masochist or has no awareness of the practicalities of bathroom floors. Also probably rating appearance well ahead of usability. Same deal with carpeted kitchens, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/38 "2013-07-15T12:45:40Z")
Several of the houses I’ve seen with carpeted bathrooms didn’t have a proper floor: the carpet or linoleum (in the bathroom and elsewhere) were just plunked down on top of bare earth. The bare earth would have been cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/39 "2013-07-15T12:53:22Z")
I guess I’ll be the only person who’ll admit to both having carpet in the bathroom and putting it there myself. My house is on a slab of concrete. In Wisconsin. Except for the hottest of summer days, that floor is always freezing cold. I’m a very adult female who lives alone and rarely even has company so there’s no pissing, shitting, puking, bleeding, toothpaste splattering or anything else like that going on in my bathroom that ends up on the carpet. Even though it’s carpeted I still use a bathmat when exiting the shower. It’s a very, very short pile (if you can even call it pile) and I vacuum it every week. I’ve never had a toilet overflow but if that happened the carpeting would be replaced immediately. I have vinyl in the kitchen because a lot of stuff _does_ get spilled there. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438/40 "2013-07-15T13:37:04Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > I keep hearing these stories. In _our_ house, under the hideous carpet was concrete (on the bottom floor) or hideous wood sub-floor (upstairs). From watching HGTV, I’d assumed I was entitled to find lovely wood floors when I pulled up the carpet! People just don’t brag about finding subfloor and concrete :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-carpeting-in-bathrooms/663438.md?page=3)