A New South Wales tenant’s unconventional approach to a severe rental property issue has ignited a firestorm online, after they admitted to attempting to eradicate a mushroom infestation with deodorant.
What began as a plea for advice on Reddit quickly devolved into widespread disbelief and concern, as the renter revealed fungi were sprouting from their living room carpet – and their chosen method of pest control.
“How the hell do I fix this?” the tenant posted, alongside a confronting image of the fungal growth.
They then confessed, “I sprayed some deodorant on it,” in a seemingly desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to kill the persistent shrooms.
This wasn’t a one-off occurrence either; the mushrooms were reappearing in the exact same spot.
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A NSW renter is asking for advice after finding mushrooms growing in their carpet. Photo: Reddit/@Beautiful-Compote915
The bizarre solution immediately raised alarm bells among online commenters, who swiftly pointed out that a surface-level fix like deodorant would do nothing to address the underlying problem.
Many quickly deduced the true culprit: excessive moisture trapped beneath the carpet.
“Why?” one user questioned the deodorant application, before explaining,
“Your mobile Aircon unit needs a way to properly drain… You’ve let all of the condensation from the coils soak into the carpet/sub-floor. This isn’t healthy/normal, and you’re destroying your house.”
The renter subsequently admitted that water from a portable airconditioner was indeed draining onto the floor, which they had been attempting to manage with towels.
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The renter has tried killing off the mushrooms with deodorant. Photo: Reddit/@Beautiful-Compote915
When pressed, they conceded the towels were perpetually wet.
Commenters highlighted that this damp carpet and porous flooring created the ideal breeding ground for fungi, noting that by the time mushrooms become visible, a far more extensive fungal network has typically already established itself below the surface.
The recurring growth strongly suggested the water ingress had been a longstanding issue, with the renter previously admitting their carpet had likely been “wet for nine months.”
While online advice varied, a consensus emerged: the source of the moisture must be addressed first, or the fungal problem would persist indefinitely.
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However, the cause of the mushrooms has been attributed to a portable airconditioner that leaks onto the carpet. Photo: Reddit/@Beautiful-Compote915
Suggestions included redirecting the airconditioner’s drainage into a bucket or tray.
However, the renter’s subsequent declaration that repositioning the airconditioner was “not an option” sparked considerable outrage.
“This dude is beyond saving,” one user lamented.
Beyond the structural damage to the property, many commenters expressed serious concerns for the tenant’s health, advising them to consult a medical professional regarding potential mould poisoning.
NSW Health clarifies that mould is a common organism within the fungi group, which also includes mushrooms and yeast. In many instances, visible mushrooms are merely the “fruit” of a much larger growth thriving in damp conditions beneath the floor.
“Mould may grow indoors in wet or moist areas that lack adequate ventilation, including walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets (especially those with jute backing), insulation material and wood,” NSW Health states in its mould fact sheet.
“If moisture accumulates, mould growth will often occur on indoor surfaces. Many different types of mould exist, and they all have the potential to cause health problems.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of addressing moisture issues promptly and effectively in rental properties, rather than resorting to unusual and ineffective remedies.
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