Can You Put A Refrigerator On A Carpet? (Find Out Now!)
A carpeted home is cozy and nice, right? Well, I guess it is, if you’re a fan of carpeting. (I’m not, but it’s okay.) In most rooms, carpets are okay. They’re obviously not okay in a kitchen, but when it comes to a chic mini bar fridge, things get strange. Can you put a refrigerator on a carpet without having damage done to the carpet?
It’s best to avoid putting a refrigerator on a carpet regardless of how big or small the refrigerator is. The carpet will trap heat at the bottom of the refrigerator, making it difficult for the refrigerator to properly cool itself and maintain air circulation.
The trope of the minibar on a plush carpet is something you should leave to cheap 70s flicks. This guide will dish out what the real scoop is on your carpet.
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Refrigerators On Carpets: Yay Or Nay?
Refrigerators are great for kitchens, but carpets? Not so much. If it is at all possible, try to avoid putting a refrigerator directly on a carpet. It’s not just an awkward look. Doing this can put both your refrigerator and your carpet at risk, not to mention the food inside your fridge, too.
Why Is it A Bad Idea To Put A Refrigerator On Your Carpet?
Refrigerators and carpets don’t mix. No, not even the cute little mini-fridge filled with wine. Same with the kegerator. Here’s why you don’t want to do this in your home:
- First off, refrigerators leak. A leaky refrigerator is far more common than you think. When water leaks from the cooling system or the fridge itself, it can and will ruin your carpet. I’m not even sure renter’s insurance will cover that!
- If food falls out of the fridge, it’s going to turn into mold on your carpet. I know I’m not the only one on the planet who occasionally ends up spilling salsa or BBQ sauce on the side of the fridge. If this happens near carpet, you probably will have a mold issue. Even if you know how to remove salsa from a carpet, your landlord wouldn’t be happy.
- Carpeting reduces the air circulation your fridge needs to work. Circulation is a really big issue with refrigerators. That coldness that your fridge offers has to involve a lot of different air inlets—even if it’s just to cool down the compressor. When you reduce circulation, your fridge will have to work harder to maintain a cool temperature.
- Your carpeting can also cause your fridge to overheat. There are several refrigerator parts that can overheat. These include the compressor, the cooling system, as well as the fan.
- Some models may also end up turning off if they have air circulation obstructions. This can lead to moldy, unsafe food. In some cases, the cooling power of your fridge will also be reduced. This could lead to subpar (yet barely noticeable) increase in heat that puts food at risk.
Is There A Way To Minimize Damage To Your Carpet?
True story: I knew a guy who lived in a single room that was corner to corner carpet. It had a kitchen inside, though it was a rudimentary one. Believe it or not, he found a way to minimize damage to the carpet and still enjoy the necessary luxury that comes with refrigeration. These methods will help you avoid damage to your fridge and carpet:
- Buy a refrigerator flood pan. The flood pan is supposed to keep any water that drips from the bottom of the fridge. However, it serves two purposes when you have a carpet. Along with catching leaky water drips, this gives you a way to push the carpet down flat so it acts like tile flooring.
- Consider putting any mini fridge you have on a counter or tabletop. Yes, it’s tempting to put it on the floor to conserve desk space, but it’s not a good idea long-term. Your fridge still needs a lot ventilation even if it’s tiny.
- Another option would be to use a cabinet to house the refrigerator. Carpet’s big issues are the fibers and fuzz that block the proper airways that refrigerators need. A cabinet acts like a wooden floor, but also gives your fridge (or mini-fridge) a way to be concealed in a tasteful way. Besides, who doesn’t like a hidden refrigerator?
- Finally, you could also put a standing grate above your carpet. Obviously, this will not protect your carpet from any leakage or dust that ekes out of your carpet, but it’s still better than nothing.
- If you have to have a fridge directly on a carpet, try to stick to low pile carpets. The type of “almost bare to the ground” carpeting that you would find in an office is the best type of carpet to risk. Ideally, you’ll pick carpeting that’s meant for high traffic areas like living rooms.
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Related Questions
What can you put under a fridge to protect your flooring?
If you’re worried about the feet of your fridge imprinting on your home’s floor, you’re not alone. The best option is to put cup protectors at the bottom of each of your refrigerator’s feet. This helps evenly distribute the weight, which prevents damage done by focused force on your flooring.
What can I put under my freezer or refrigerator?
Carpet’s clearly not the right answer, but you might be surprised at what is a good choice. The best thing that you can put underneath a fridge is a rubber or plastic mat. A close second would be to have laminate or wooden flooring underneath. (Even wooden flooring has its drawbacks, though.)
Can a refrigerator make carbon monoxide?
If your CO detector is going off, you should pay attention to it. Refrigerators may seem like they’re pretty innocuous, but they do emit fairly moderate amounts of CO. This is also more noticeable if your refrigerator is broken. Most major appliances have the potential to release CO in certain amounts, so don’t treat your fridge like a threat to your wellbeing.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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