Wicking of Soil after Cleaning Carpet |
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Wicking of Soil and Dirt after Cleaning Carpet Causing Recurring Spots and Stains
Friday, October 25, 2019
ONE DAY AT A TIME
All of us from time to time worry too much about a task or tasks that we have to do. Are you worrying about tomorrow or next week or even further into the future? While you don’t want to dismiss the future, you cannot spend all your time worrying about it.
So what is the answer? Try living One Day At A Time and within that, focus on each hour in a day and decide what can be accomplished each hour. By concentrating on one day’s work and shutting out other thoughts, it is possible to get a day’s work done without experiencing mental fatigue and worries about the future.
Many obstacles that stall our momentum are worrying about the bigger picture as opposed to the task at hand.
We can therefore help alleviate mental stress and fatigue by doing the best we can with the time we are given and by living One Day At A Time.
Related Carpet Cleaning Business Articles and Information:
- Building Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business
- Four Characteristics of a Successful Person
- Twenty Steps to Success
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®
Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/.
Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com.
The Bane-Clene® Team.
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A
to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Carpet Matting, Carpet Crushing and Roll Crush
Carpet Matting, Carpet Crushing and Roll Crush Versus Wear
One of the most frequent complaints and misunderstood conditions with carpet is matting and crushing.
Reprinted from the Bane-Clene® Cleaning Digest - by Mark Johnston*
One of the most frequent complaints and misunderstood conditions with carpet is matting and crushing. Matting and crushing has been improperly labeled for a wide spectrum of maladies; however, the most common misconception is that matting and crushing is a sign of excessive wear. Consumers tend to erroneously evaluate wear on carpet in the one dimensional concept that any change in the textural intensity or structural organization of the carpet’s surface is excessive wear. Trying to differentiate these two conditions for the consumer can be quite exhaustive for a dealer or mill claims analyst.
One needs to look no further than the typical manufacturer’s wear warranty to understand that textural discrimination of actual fiber wear is deemed as an abrasive loss of fiber (usually 10% or more), and that conditions such as tears, pulls, cuts, pilling, shedding and matting and crushing are specifically excluded. While the language used in manufacturer’s wear warranties may clarify our industry’s definition of wear, this usually does not satisfy the consumer’s complaint or change her perception of “wear” on her carpet.
When matting and crushing occurs, fibers become bent and compressed by fatigue. Each fiber type and carpet construction will show varying degrees of departure from the carpet’s normal profile. Strong departures, however, are generally experienced when an improper pad is specified, or when improper maintenance and soil accumulation is present. Consequently, these conditions often cause the carpet fibers to become compacted and entangled beyond any hope of restoration of appearance or recovery of pile thickness.
Consumers should understand those changes in a carpet’s appearance, including textural changes (uniformity of texture), take place from the start of use and continue to occur throughout the life cycle of the carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute’s life cycle analysis, the typical residential carpet is replaced every 11 years. However, replacements are made due to styling trends or from a loss of appearance, and not from wear. The most noticeable change in appearance occurs between the use areas such as in front of a chair or sofa, in the hallway and in the pivotal areas, when compared to the nonuse areas. These changes include staining, soiling, loss of tuft definition (untwisting of the yarn, decrimping of the fibers), a decrease in spatial density, and a tendency toward randomness. Heterogeneous properties, such as those obtained by blended yarns, may be altered and tufted patterns or features may become varied. Some or all of these conditions will eventually occur with every textile floor covering. Actual fiber “wear” on the other hand is normal, and will in almost all cases never occur with today’s modern synthetic fibers. They simply suffer from a gradual loss of appearance due to the aforementioned conditions. Considering this, the more informed consuming public has begun to question the meaningfulness of wear warranties. In response, many manufacturers now provide consumers with a quantifiable measurement that pertains to appearance change in the scope of their performance assessment. Although this type of analysis is based on a “square profile,” it provides an excellent means for evaluating textural changes on a carpet comparison basis. Several years ago, one major yarn producer did a study on approximately 300 homes with the typical family of four. According to this study, the commonly used performance assessment floor traffic count used today equated to one year of residential hallway traffic and 2 1/2 years of open space traffic. However, since each end-use has its own unique conditions, the rating a carpet receives cannot be accurately equated into a certain number of years of use in all cases, nor can it always be used as a benchmark to determine appearance based on number of occupants. As an example, a retired couple could conceivably put more traffic on a carpet in a shorter period of time than a home with two working adults and two teenagers.
Although matting and crushing will eventually occur with all fiber types and carpet constructions, carpet appearance can be prolonged and matting and crushing can be slowed by installing carpet over firm cushions. Without the support of a firm cushion, the face fibers of the carpet must absorb the traffic shocks on their own. Matting and crushing can also be offset by adopting a routine soil management program, and by occasionally rearranging furniture to alter traffic lanes. Carpet construction is also critical. Low, tight gauge, densely constructed carpets will maintain their appearance over a longer period of time than a medium or low grade construction in the same end-use. If you know a carpet is going to get heavy or more frequent use, the right carpet must be specified for the demands anticipated.
In the floor care arena, there is no question that the heat and/or moisture provided by steam cleaning can significantly help restore crushed fibers. What consumers should understand is that even with today’s advancements in fiber technology, we cannot totally offset the compressible nature of textile surfaces and the effects that constant foot traffic plays on floor coverings. If this weren’t true then every carpet made from a physically bolstered yarn system would obtain a negligible or no change rating (5.0) when subjected to floor traffic testing. Even then, matting and crushing would eventually occur sometime after the floor traffic test count had been exceeded by the end-user. Considering this, one must accept that various degrees of matting and crushing will remain a normal characteristic of carpet with use. However, virtually every claim or these conditions can be postponed and the appearance of the carpet maintained for a longer period of time when the right carpet and components are selected for end-use.
Editor's note: NOTHING will satisfactorily correct crushing, roll marks and matting on olefin (polypropylene) or polyester carpet because olefin and polyester fibers have zero resilience! A Jiffy Steamer® is excellent for removing crush marks, roll marks and matting from nylon carpet.
What Is Carpet Roll Crush or Pole Crush and How to Cure?
Carpet Roll Crush from Improper Storage and Shipping of Carpet
If the carpet roll has sat too long in storage or had rolls stacked too high on it, the weight will compress the carpet face resulting in what is called Roll Crush. Roll crush or pole crush rarely occurs at the manufacturing level since rolls are stored one roll in height at the mill. As a result, roll crush is usually not considered a manufacturing defect. Consequently, carpet manufacturers will often blame everyone else and refuse to fix the problem.
But, some carpet retailers store rolls at heights of three or more rolls! Roll crush also may occur during shipping where rolls are loaded several rolls high.
Carpet Roll Crush marks appear as wide bands across the carpet width and are easily identified since they are not evenly spaced but are progressively spaced closer as the carpet roll gets closer to the center.
How to Fix Roll-Crush:
In Nylon Carpet, roll crush marks often come out over time with heat and humidity especially in the summer - if the carpet was properly power stretched in place rather than knee-kicked in. If stubborn, they can usually be forced out by steaming with a “Jiffy Steamer” or by having the carpet hot water extraction cleaned. Sometimes, a pile lifter will help.
Polypropylene (Olefin) Carpet is a different story. Since polypropylene fiber has zero resilience, once it is crushed, it will not come back up - not even with steam.
Related Information, Articles and Videos:
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Bane-Clene Home Page
Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.
Authors: Mark Johnston
*Mark Johnston was the Technical Manager at Beaulieu United, Dalton, Georgia until he passed away in 2011.
and Donald W. Terry, Sr., Bane-Clene’s Chemist
Date Modified: October 23, 2019
Date Published: October 12, 1999
Friday, October 18, 2019
PURSUIT OF MONEY
Money is a conundrum.
If you don’t get it, you are considered a loser and a failure.
If you do get it and don’t share it, you are a miser and selfish.
If you don’t even try to get it, you lack ambition and drive.
If you get it and spend too much, you are a spendthrift.
If you still have it after a lifetime of work, you're a person who never got any fun out of life.
So, what is the answer? Work hard, save for a rainy day, enjoy life and share your good fortune with others.
Related Carpet Cleaning Business Articles and Information:
- Building Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business
- Four Characteristics of a Successful Person
- Twenty Steps to Success
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®
Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/.
Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com.
The Bane-Clene® Team.
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Bane-Clene Home Page
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Successful Pro's Choice CTI Stain Removal and Odor Control Class Held by Bane-Clene®
A well-attended and informative class by CTI Pro's Choice was held at the Bane-Clene® Training Center on October 11, 2019!
The CTI Pro's Choice instructor, Brian Bond, taught the class, including a Power Point presentation and hands-on demonstrations of the Pro's Choice carpet spot and stain removers and also the pet odor control products. Ted Gurnowski of Service Associates II, who teaches our stone care and wood floor restoration training classes and also participates in our 3-day Management Training School, assisted Brian.
Brian split the spotting part of the class into 4 basic categories:
- Synthetic Food Dyes: Stains containing man-made dye such as Kool-Aid®, Cough Syrup and Betadine® (Iodine).
- Organic Stains: Stains from a natural source such as Wood Furniture, Mustard, Coffee, Tea and Pet Urine.
- Petroleum-Based Stains: Petroleum Derivative such as Colored Candle Wax, Gum, Grease, Tar, Ballpoint Ink, Permanent Marker, Asphalt and Glue.
- Protein-Based stains (Biological): Stains originating from body secretion such as Cooking Grease, Vomit and Blood.
Brian Taught and Demonstrated Pro's Choice Spot and Stain Removal Products:
- ARA Anti-Resoiling Anti-Wicking Agent
- Power Gel
- Pro-Solve Gel
- Pro-Solve Liquid
- Pro-Zyme
- Red 1
- Red Relief
- Stain 1
- Stain Magic
The odor control portion of the class covered the basics of pet odor identification, mapping and treatment.
The Pro's Choice Odor Control Products Covered by Brian Included:
- Molecular Modifier
- Odor Barrier
- OS-1 Pet Urine Odor, Stain & Soil Remover
- OSR-XG Cat and Dog Urine Odor and Stain Remover
- Rug Restorer Pet Urine Treatment for Natural Fibers
- X-Cide Odor Killer by Pro’s Choice
At the end of the class, Don Bane held a drawing for two free Pro's Choice Spotting Kits which were won by R & D Carpet Cleaning of Indiana and Michindoh Conference Center of Michigan.
Don also extended a 10% discount on all non-equipment purchases. A free lunch was enjoyed by all.
Bane-Clene Professional Carpet and Rug Spotting Guide
How to Remove Pet Urine Odor from Carpets and Rugs
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
Links to the Bane-Clene Web Site for Professional Carpet Cleaners
Bane-Clene Home Page
Friday, October 11, 2019
USE OF TIME
Logical advice for owner/operators who want to improve their use of time is to focus on what contributes most to its best use. The opposite, however, may be something to focus on more.
What does not contribute but also wastes time? Try listing all your “time wasters” for a week. After that, rank them in order, with the task that wastes the most time at the top of the list.
Now comes the hard part. Are these time wasters your fault? Are they something you don’t need to do or are they something someone else could do?
A successful owner/operator will be able to identify and differentiate between the two.
They will ask themselves “what would happen if I didn’t to do this”? “Would it make a difference in the operation of their Company”? Finally, they should think “what would happen if I delegated this”?
The answers to these and other questions will help them in their Use of Time.
Related Carpet Cleaning Business Articles and Information:
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®
Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/.
Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com.
The Bane-Clene® Team.
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Bane-Clene Home Page
Wednesday, October 09, 2019
Carpet is a Three-Dimensional Object. What are the dimensions?
The three primary dimensions to carpet are:
Gauge (Width), Stitch rate (Length) and Pile height (Height).
- GAUGE is the distance between the needles. For example, 1/8 gauge simply means there is 1/8 inch between each needle, or there are 8 needles per inch.
- STITCH RATE (or stitches per inch) defines the number of times per inch a stitch occurs, just as gauge expresses the frequency of tufts across the width. Stitch rate is the number of times an individual needle inserts a tuft into the primary backing as the primary backing moves one inch through the tufting machine. This is sometimes abbreviated SPI. Therefore, 8 stitches per inch means that as the primary backing moved through the tufting machine, a single needle form 8 tufts or stitches.
- PILE HEIGHT is the length (expressed in decimal parts of one inch) of the tuft from the primary backing to the tip. All other factors being equal, a carpet with a higher pile height will possess more yarn on the wearing surface and will essentially be more durable.
Other common measurements are:
- DENIER or YARN DENIER: Unit of weight for the size of a single filament or yarn bundle. The higher the denier, the heavier (coarser) the yarn and the more resilience it will offer. Denier is expressed as the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of yarn. 9,000 meters of an 18 DPF (denier per filament) would weigh 18 grams and 9,000 meters of a 1230/2-ply yarn would weigh 2,460 grams. The higher the DPF, the greater the fiber’s resilience and its resistance to bending, but also the harsher it feels to the hand. DuPont Tactesse® has a denier of 12, which gives it a softer feel than the 15-18 denier more commonly used in carpet fibers.
- DENSITY or PILE DENSITY: The weight of a pile yarn (including buried portions of the pile yarn) in a unit volume of carpet, which is expressed in ounces per cubic yard. Also called “Average pile yarn weight”. The closer the tufts are to each other, the denser the pile and the less weight each individual tuft has to support. Pile density is not only evaluated by the closeness of the tufts but also by the height and weight of the pile yarn. All other things being equal, the greater the pile density, the greater the wearability of the carpet and the longer it will last.
- FACE or PILE WEIGHT: The total weight of the face (above and below the backing) yarns in the carpet. The more ounces per square yard, the denser the pile and, potentially, the greater the wearability of the carpet.
TWIST: Twist is the process whereby two or more spun yarns are twisted together. Twist is counted by the number of turns per inch (TPI) of the yarn. The performance of cut pile carpet is highly dependent on the rate of twist and twist retention. Heat setting helps stabilize yarn twist by subjecting the yarn to high temperature steam under pressure. Most carpet yarns have 2.5 to 6.0 twists per inch. A higher twist level usually results in better texture retention and better resilience. A high twist will result in a frieze, a medium twist will produce a Saxony, and low twist will result in a velour or Saxony plush style.- TUFT BIND: Loop pile styles have closed loops, so twist is not a major factor. Rather, tuft bind is a consideration. Tuft bind is the relative strength of the attachment of the yarn loops to the backing of the carpet.
- STAPLE YARN SIZE: The size of staple yarns is most often expressed in what is known as the cotton count system. In this system, a yarn count is an inverse system; i.e., the larger the numerator, the smaller the yarn, and is based on the number of 840 yard hanks required to weight 1 pound. For example, a 1 cotton count (cc) yarn has 1 hank per 840 yards, while a 2.5 cc yarn would require 2.5 hanks (2100 yards) to weigh 1 pound. The denominator represents the ply count of the yarn.
Related Carpet Manufacture and Fiber Chemistry Information:
- Carpet and Rug Fiber Chemistry
- Carpet Dyeing by the Mill or Fiber Producer
- Carpet Fiber Identification
- Carpet Fibers
- Carpet Manufacturing
- Fibers - An Overview
- Nylon Type 6 versus Type 6,6
- Olefin Carpet Fiber
- Polyester Carpet Fiber
- Primary Backing
Related Carpet Manufacture and Fiber Chemistry Products:
- Carpet Fibers and Manufacture 2-hour Video by Bane-Clene’s Chemist
- Oriental and Area Rug Construction and Maintenance Training DVD by Bane-Clene’s Chemist
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Bane-Clene Home Page
Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.
Author: Donald W. Terry, Sr., Bane-Clene’s Chemist 
Date Published: June 6, 2017
Date Modified: February 8, 2018
Friday, October 04, 2019
ONE-TIME BUSINESS
If you are an ethical business person, you know that in the long run a sale that does not benefit the customer does not benefit you.
Sure, you can use high-pressure tactics or other means to fool the customer into thinking they are getting a good deal and buying what they need. But this practice will seldom produce more than a one time sale and one-time business is bad business.
Occasionally, you will realize that your customer does not need all the products or services you are proposing. But, if the customer does not realize this and wants to go ahead, what should you do?
It’s always tempting to take the order because you have not misrepresented any of your products or services and you have presented everything in a straightforward manner. You may think that it is not your problem but it is your problem. Eventually, customers that feel they have made a bad buying decision are more apt to cancel. Then, if they do business with you, they may be more inclined to complain, possibly over nothing.
Your function is to serve your customer. The only way to do this is to always keep their interests first so they become repeat business not One-Time Business.
Related Carpet Cleaning Business Articles and Information:
- Building Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business
- Complaints
- Customer Service in the Carpet Cleaning Industry
- Four Characteristics of a Successful Person
- Sell The Sizzle
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®
Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/.
Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com.
The Bane-Clene® Team.
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Bane-Clene Home Page
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
Yellowing and Browning in Carpet and Rugs - Causes and Cures
What Causes Yellowing and Browning of Carpet and How to Reverse Discoloration
One of the big problems that can happen with carpet is that it sometimes develops a yellow cast.
The most common causes of carpet yellowing are:
1. Use of a detergent with a pH over 10 on stain-resist nylon carpet:
To cure the yellowing from an overly aggressive detergent, rinse with water to remove the excess detergent, apply Brown Out® diluted 1 part Brown Out to 2 parts of water (43 ounces per gallon) to the affected areas, allow to work on the yellowing for 15-20 minutes, do a single wet pass with just plain water and 2 dry passes. Since the stain resistance has been destroyed, apply Bane-Guard™ or Teflon® to the carpet. However, the stain resistance warranty has still been voided! Note that if the yellowing was severe, you may have to apply Brown Out undiluted!
2. Application of silicone protector on stain-resist nylon carpet:
To cure the yellowing from the use of a silicone protector, remove the silicone by normal cleaning followed by the Brown Out treatment at 1:2 with water as above and apply Bane-Guard™. However, in both situations, the warranty has still been voided!
3. BHT yellowing:
BHT (Butylated Hydroxy Toluene) is a common slowly vaporizing preservative used in many plastics including rebound pad. It is even used as a preservative in bread, because it performs well against free radicals. Most of the problems have been on carpets in areas of low air circulation such as in closets, under low-lying furniture, or under throw rugs. Fortunately, the carpet and pad manufacturers no longer use this.
In this photo supplied to us by Beaulieu of America, you can see that the entire carpet has yellowed except where the tackless strip is - and where there there is no pad (cushion) under the carpet. However, this problem can occur out in the middle of the room. Sometimes, most of the carpet will have yellowed except along the baseboard or directly above seaming tape.
This problem seems to occur more frequently in the winter in homes using fossil oil or gas heat. Most carpet manufacturers will not accept this as a claim since it is basically a cushion problem.
To cure this problem, most fiber producers recommend a 10% solution of citric acid to remove BHT yellowing, followed by vacuuming. The primary acid in Brown Out is citric. Using Brown Out at 1 part product to 2 parts water will cure this condition. Simply spray the affected area heavily with this solution, allow at least 15 minutes for the yellow to disappear, and do one single wet pass with water (no detergent) and two dry passes. This removes the excess Brown Out but leaves enough behind to reduce the likelihood of the yellow reappearing. Severe cases may require applying Brown Out undiluted.
4. Mill oil (loom oil / yarn lubricant) on olefin or solution dyed nylon:
Mill oil, also called loom oil or yarn lubricant, is the lubricant used in the tufting machines and sometimes gets onto the carpet face during the tufting process. The yellowing is usually in straight lines. Mill oil residue is most common on solution dyed fibers because the step followed in rinsing out dyes is not needed and so the mill oil isn't removed either. To remove mill oil, simply apply TLS ® 2000 as the prespray and use normal cleaning. If this is a residence or other area where children may crawl around on the carpet, do a Brown Out flush by rinsing the carpet with a 2-4 ounces per gallon solution of Brown Out in water with no detergent through the base unit to remove all alkaline residue. Apply Pro's Choice ARA Anti-Resoiling Agent to reduce resoiling by absorbing any remaining residue.
5. Calcium Chloride Ice melt:
Do a Brown Out flush as above. Use long walk-off floor mats to prevent track-in.
6. Asphalt chemical transfer:
Asphalt coating may be walked onto the carpet (and even onto vinyl tile) from driveways and parking lots and turn the carpet yellow. Since this is being tracked in from the outside, it is most noticeable near the entry areas. This is most common after repaving or sealing the asphalt, especially in the summer with elevated temperatures. Jennite®J-16 driveway sealer causes less problem than other asphalt coatings. This is most commonly a problem on blue and light gray carpet as shown here.
Yellowing from asphalt track-in is virtually impossible to remove. Asphalt coating and sealers are coal tar based materials, which are yellow when highly diluted in solvent. Unfortunately, the solvents required to totally remove these materials are also strong enough to delaminate the carpet. Whenever a customer asks for your advice on replacing carpet and has a parking lot, advise him or her to avoid blue and light gray.
If the problem is fresh, apply TLS 2000 and do your normal cleaning followed with a Brown Out flush at about 2 ounces per gallon. If this fails, prespray Citrus APS™ Spotter, scrub (if loop pile) and clean. Sometimes, adding Energy Prespray Booster to your prespray will help. Use very long floor mats (at least 12 feet) to reduce the problem. The problem, however, will not permanently go away.
7. Optical brighteners:
Optical brighteners are highly specialized dyes which absorb invisible ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light, making the carpet appear brighter than it really is. They are used by some carpet cleaning chemical manufacturers who don't realize that their use will permanently cause the carpet to turn yellow. Since these are dyes, there is no cure for this problem. Optical brighteners are frequently found in carpet shampoos and bonnet cleaning compounds. Carpet manufacturers don't approve of carpet cleaning detergents and spotters containing optical brighteners.
8. Direct sunlight and ozone fading, especially on green carpet:
Yellow is typically the strongest dye in carpets. The loss or fading of the other primary colors, red and blue, can leave the carpet with a yellow tint. Yellowing due to direct sunlight fading and ozone fading cannot be reversed except by dyeing.
9. Pesticide treatment:
Discoloration around baseboards and sliding glass doors that have been treated with organophosphate or chlorinated carbamate for insects. This can also be a red discoloration. This condition is irreversible!
10. Soil Abrasion:
Heavy traffic coupled with gritty soil can quickly abrade the carpet giving it a yellowed appearance. This is, of course, irreversible, but can be prevented with proper (12-15 foot) entrance mats and proper maintenance.
11. Urine:
Urine must be treated for both stain and odor. The article on Pet Stain Removal has complete details on how to handle urine stains. The You will need Pro's Choice Stain Magic, Pro's Choice Stain Magic for Wool or OS-1 Odor, Stain & Soil Remover.
12. Bleaching Agents:
Chlorine bleach and acne medicine may strip the blue and red dye from a carpet, leaving the yellow dye.
13. Nicotine (Tobacco):
Add Citrus APS™ or Pro's Choice Energy to your prespray and wall cleaner to help remove this. Treatment with 40 volume clear hydrogen peroxide is sometimes required.
14. Other causes of yellowing:
Tracked-in oils, cooking oils, burning of candles and floor finishes.
What is carpet and rug browning? Browning is a phenomenon in which, after the carpet or rug is cleaned and has dried, the fiber tips turn dark
Carpet dries from the tips. Therefore, as the cleaning solution evaporates from the tips, the water rises to the surface bringing with it everything dissolved in it, and then the water evaporates leaving everything else behind as illustrated above. This leaves on the tips of the carpet, rug or upholstery soil and high-alkalinity residue plus anything else left in the carpet such as high shampoo levels, cola, coffee, etc. This upward flow of moisture on fiber surfaces during drying is referred to as wicking. The factors contributing to browning are slow drying, over wetting, high alkalinity, BHT, and cellulosic material (jute backing).
In the beginning of this industry, most detergents used were nothing more than glorified concrete floor cleaners, which are highly alkaline and frequently caused browning. Carpets and carpet backings were not as good then either. Equipment now does a better job of leaving the carpet dry. Most carpet-cleaning professionals are now better trained and most (but not all) know better than to over wet a carpet or to use overly strong detergent solutions. Also, the carpet manufacturers now rarely use jute backing.
Cellulose browning occurs in natural fiber carpets like jute, wool, sisal, cotton and can also happen in some old carpeting when jute backing was used.
How to Cure Carpet Browning?
An application of a formulated organic acid agent such as Brown Out® will neutralize this residue not only preventing browning, but actually leaves the carpet cleaner and brighter. Additionally, the use of Brown Out on wet-cleaned upholstery and rugs will reduce the likelihood of dye bleeding by setting the dyes. It is easier to correct browning on carpet with pile yarns made of synthetic fibers than of natural fibers such as wool, hemp, silk or cotton. In cases where severe browning may occur, clean the carpet with Natural Fiber Cleaner.
Free Bane-Clene Information Package
Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.
You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.
“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site
Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.
Author: Donald W. Terry, Sr., Bane-Clene’s Chemist
Date Modified: September 14, 2020
Date Originally Published: September 25, 2019
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)