Month: July 2017

Wicking spots are those pesky spots that reappear after drying. They are one part mystery; one part nuisance. In this Ask the Expert blog, we tackle the why wicking spots are different and what you can do to get rid of them.

Wicking spots are different

Wicking spots are not like regular spots. The spot has actually collected at the tops of the fibers. Other spots typically travel the entire length of the yarn. Wicking spots are also different because liquids have penetrated into the carpet backing or even to the substrate.  A wicking spot is more likely to have moisture readings prior to cleaning. So if you test correctly, you can find them before you start cleaning. Wicking is more likely to occur on hydrophobic fibers such as polypropylene/olefin, triexta and polyester. It can, however, still occur on nylon.

Solving the wicking mystery

If it reappears after drying, can a spotter fix it? Browning treatments and oxidizers can help. A post-application of an  encapsulant, which could be more successful than the browning treatments and oxidizers. After applying an encapsulant, reclean with an absorption method. This has been proven to best course of action.

You can also try pressing a dry terry towel on the affected area to remove additional moisture. Quicker drying with vertical fans also helps. If the fiber is hydrophobic and an over application of moisture has occurred, encapsulants will not work.

When this over wetting occurs, you can’t apply additional wet products. So let the spot wick into something else like a terry towel (slightly dampened) or even an insoluble powder.  Absorbent powders are still preferred. Damp terry towels need to be weighted down onto the fibers in order to be effective. The powder can then be removed with vacuuming.

Not all reappearing spots are wicking

Not all spots that reappear are the result of wicking. This means an absorbent compound won’t work. If a spot reappears weeks after a cleaning, it’s most likely a sticky residue.  A pH meter can determine the kind of sticky residue. Food and beverage sources have pH readings between 3 and 6; detergent residues have pH readings between 8 and 10; and oils generally have no contrast in pH from the surrounding carpet.

Reoccurring and wicking spots are mighty foes to the professional carpet cleaner. You’ll probably have to try several methods to determine what works best in every situation.

If you have any other questions about wicking spots, let us know. We’ll be glad to make a recommendation.

Carpet color loss is a universal challenge. Ultraviolent rays from the son can naturally cause color fading. It’s pretty impossible to shield your carpet from UV rays (however, there is special glass (Low-E) that can help with this).

However, there are other things that cause carpet color loss that you have more control over. Chemical color loss happens due to chemical reactions. There are two types of chemical reactions: reduction/oxidation (REDOX) and Ionization.

REDOX reactions, which are caused by either:

• Reducers from sodium hydrosulfite
• Oxidizers, such as from peroxides

Ionization is caused by acids like hydrochloric or sulfuric. Ionization only impacts nylon not wool. Hydrochloric registers a high chlorine content. Alkalies come from concentrated hydroxides like oven and concrete cleaners. Many of these will show up as oxidizers.

What colors fade first

Generally, color loss occurs one primary hue at a time, especially for natural color loss. The general order is for blue to go first, followed by red  then yellow. This means that a brown carpet will first turn orange, then yellow and finally white. There are specific substances that destroy only one color. Formaldehyde destroys red dye. Formaldehyde is found in wooden floor products. Freon destroys yellow dye. Freon was the common coolant used in air-conditioning

Measuring for chemical reactions

You can measure REDOX and ionization on meters. Measure REDOX on an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) meter. Negative numbers indicate a reducer while the positive values indicate an oxidizer. Mild reducers for removing coffee or tea have ORP values of approximately of -200. Strong red dye stain removers have ORP values of less than -450. Three percent hydrogen peroxide has an ORP value of approximately 360. Strong peroxide stain removers have ORP values of 450 and more.

Chemical color losses

Chemical color losses typically have a pH that is more than 0.3 difference from the surrounding carpet. The pH and sometimes the ORP values will often need to be neutralized before new dye can be reapplied.

The best neutralizers for alkali pH values is acetic acids; the best neutralizer for acidic residues is ammonium hydroxide. That is because both are volatile. However, other forms of mild acids or alkali can work too. You may want to avoid ammonium hydroxide when chlorine is in the carpet. This could create a poisonous gas. Measure chlorine with a chlorine meter,  which looks and operates like the pH and ORP meters.

Color loss occurs in  both nylon and wool carpet. Both are usually dyed with acid dyes. This can cause issues with  alkalinity, especially with wool carpets.

Nylon

Nylon 6 is more prone to loss color than Nylon 6,6. The Nylon 6 is easier to re-dye. A stronger reaction resulting in color loss is more prevalent than wool.

ORP values of less than -300 or over 400 can destroy the color as well. A mild reducer is the best neutralizer for a strong oxidizer, and a mild oxidizer is the best neutralizer for a strong reducer. Mixing strong reducers and oxidizers together on the carpet will create a lot of heat and poisonous gas.

Wool

Wool fiber cannot be harmed by strong acids, but its dyes are still susceptible to damage. It bleeds at slightly acidic pH values. Most wool will measure pH 5.5. That is because it is anionic, and its polarity starts to flip when its reading climbs over 5.9.

Carpet color loss is the result of both natural and chemical reactions. It’s much harder to control UV rays. Instead it’s more prudent to protect carpet color from chemical reactions. If you have any questions about carpet color loss and how you can better protect your clients’ carpets, please get in touch.