| Returning spots (reactive wick-ups) |
Some of the causes of permanent browning are covered
elsewhere on this website. This article addresses the problem
of returning spots. These usually go away when damp and
return during the last few minutes of drying time.
elsewhere on this website. This article addresses the problem
of returning spots. These usually go away when damp and
return during the last few minutes of drying time.
. We often say returning brown spots but they can also be
black, orange, green, etc. The most common aspect of these
"reactive spots" is that something trapped down deep is
causing a wick-up. The most common cause is do-it-yourself
aerosol products and rental machine chemicals because the
vacuums are not strong enough to recover and flush all of the
detergent. This coupled with ice melter and dirt tracked in can
be formidable in entry ways. Less common and usually
resulting in more "yellow" colored areas are chemicals used in
carpet manufacturing.
. The professional carpet cleaner is usually the innocent
victim who simply wakes up the "browning" action with normal
cleaning moisture. This is the reason why acid rinsing has
become recommended and so popular because it blocks most
reactive activity from happening. Chemeisters Action
Extraction® with the built-in acid rinse is the most advanced
product for extraction detergent. So far there are no copy cats
that come even close. RinseAcid Plus is a blend of acids that
is also considered the perfect rinse by many because it is a
detergent free rinse for more residue free cleaning.
But if the carpet is really abused and filthy:
1) Dry vacuum first because the old rule is that what
goes in dry comes out dry the easiest.
2) Remember that the deeper the cleaning moisture and
detergents go, the greater the possibility that wick-ups
can result.
3) Remember also that acid is the natural "solvent" for
salt. So where de-icer is impacted in entry ways it is a
good idea to pre-spray with 8-10% acid for as long as
possible before cleaning. The acid will tend to block
browning so it has that good side effect also.
Once browning occurs:
1) The carpet must be dry down deep. If the area was
heavily cleaned then it may take several days. A good
rule is to allow at least two days drying time after it feels
dry. If the customer is anxious then tell her that this wick-
up reaction is common and usually responds to
treatment but it must be done properly. And that can
mean waiting for several days.
***Here is the reason, and this is the big secret to all
wicking treatments. Wicking can only occur when
moisture is present so we want to isolate the deeper
cause of the problem with dryness so that we can work
on the carpet yarn without waking up the reactive
wicking.
2) Use a rinsing agent and clear water to lightly extract
the browning from the top carpet yarn. The offending
color often vanishes almost immediately when
dampened. Be sure to extract as dry as possible.
3) Apply 8% to 10% acid to lock out the returning spots
from happening. Get the face yarn uniformly damp with
the acid and allow to dry. Ventilation is always important
but do not focus a fan directly on the area. Instead, aim it
at an indirect angle to aid drying if necessary.
Chemeisters RinseAcid Plus is 18% acid so you simply
mix it 1/2 with water.
black, orange, green, etc. The most common aspect of these
"reactive spots" is that something trapped down deep is
causing a wick-up. The most common cause is do-it-yourself
aerosol products and rental machine chemicals because the
vacuums are not strong enough to recover and flush all of the
detergent. This coupled with ice melter and dirt tracked in can
be formidable in entry ways. Less common and usually
resulting in more "yellow" colored areas are chemicals used in
carpet manufacturing.
. The professional carpet cleaner is usually the innocent
victim who simply wakes up the "browning" action with normal
cleaning moisture. This is the reason why acid rinsing has
become recommended and so popular because it blocks most
reactive activity from happening. Chemeisters Action
Extraction® with the built-in acid rinse is the most advanced
product for extraction detergent. So far there are no copy cats
that come even close. RinseAcid Plus is a blend of acids that
is also considered the perfect rinse by many because it is a
detergent free rinse for more residue free cleaning.
But if the carpet is really abused and filthy:
1) Dry vacuum first because the old rule is that what
goes in dry comes out dry the easiest.
2) Remember that the deeper the cleaning moisture and
detergents go, the greater the possibility that wick-ups
can result.
3) Remember also that acid is the natural "solvent" for
salt. So where de-icer is impacted in entry ways it is a
good idea to pre-spray with 8-10% acid for as long as
possible before cleaning. The acid will tend to block
browning so it has that good side effect also.
Once browning occurs:
1) The carpet must be dry down deep. If the area was
heavily cleaned then it may take several days. A good
rule is to allow at least two days drying time after it feels
dry. If the customer is anxious then tell her that this wick-
up reaction is common and usually responds to
treatment but it must be done properly. And that can
mean waiting for several days.
***Here is the reason, and this is the big secret to all
wicking treatments. Wicking can only occur when
moisture is present so we want to isolate the deeper
cause of the problem with dryness so that we can work
on the carpet yarn without waking up the reactive
wicking.
2) Use a rinsing agent and clear water to lightly extract
the browning from the top carpet yarn. The offending
color often vanishes almost immediately when
dampened. Be sure to extract as dry as possible.
3) Apply 8% to 10% acid to lock out the returning spots
from happening. Get the face yarn uniformly damp with
the acid and allow to dry. Ventilation is always important
but do not focus a fan directly on the area. Instead, aim it
at an indirect angle to aid drying if necessary.
Chemeisters RinseAcid Plus is 18% acid so you simply
mix it 1/2 with water.
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| and how to treat them |
www.chemeistersUSA.com
800 523-3430
26202 West Seven Mile Road - Redford, MI - 48240
Speciality Chemicals since 1978
fax (313) 538-5324
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