Q: What are some unusual stains and how do you remove them?
A:

Browning or Brown Tipping
After a carpet is cleaned, a brown discoloration sometimes appears on its surface upon drying. This brown discoloration is generally caused by the presence of a cellulosic fiber such as cotton, jute, or flax in the carpet. Hence, it is often called cellulosic browning.

Three main factors are necessary for browning to occur. These are the presence of a cellulosic fiber, moisture (especially alkaline), and slow drying. The age of the cellulosic fiber is also important. Chances of browning increase with age. A good example of cellulosic browning is found in newspapers which become brown with age.

Synthetic and wool carpets often have a jute backing. Woven wool carpets contain a jute filler yarn that can produce browning. As the carpet dries, following wet cleaning, the brown discoloration is pulled from the jute to the surface of the carpet. The discoloring material does not evaporate, but is left on the fiber tips. This is why cellulosic browning is also referred to as brown tipping.

Correcting Browning

• Measure the pH of the browned area using a pH paper or another pH measuring device. To measure pH, dampen the browned area with water. Hold one end of the pH paper between your fingers. Place the untouched end in the damp area and press it with the tip of a pen or pencil. Do not use you finger. Using your finger can alter the pH reading. Compare the color of the pH paper with the pH chart on the container holding the paper.
• A pH reading of 6 - 8 will indicate that the browning is a result of over-wetting.
• A pH reading greater than 8 will indicate that the browning is from over exposure to an alkaline product.

Acne Medication Stains
Acne medications contain benzoyl peroxide which is a bleach. If these products are transferred onto a carpet, a bleach spot, often orange/yellow in color, can develop.

The discoloration from acne medications can take several months to develop. It often develops following carpet cleaning as cleaning provides the heat and humidity required for activating benzoyl peroxide. Generally, polyester carpet is not discolored. Once the discoloration has occurred, it is permanent.

Battery Acid
Battery acids can cause severe discolorations as well as deteriorate the fibers. No remedy is available. On fresh spills, extract thoroughly, apply DyeSolv-B, then rinse extract with cold water.

Bleach
Spillage of common household chlorine bleach can discolor carpet. Once discoloration has occurred, it is permanent. Wool carpet can dissolve in chlorine bleach. If you are asked to clean a fresh chlorine bleach spill on a carpet, extract thoroughly, then rinse with cold water. Apply Coffee Stain Remover Additive (diluted), wait 5 - 10 minutes, then rinse extract again.

Burn Marks
These can occur from a range of different sources such as a cigarette, lighter, match, etc. Once the burn occurs, the damage can only be restored by plugging the damaged area with another piece of carpet.

Dead Body Fluids
Fluids from dead animals and humans will aggressively attack carpet fibers. Damage is permanent and the best remedy is to replace the damaged carpet.

Iodine, Betadine Stains
Iodine and betadine are contained in antiseptic medications and can leave a brown stain on a carpet. Coffee Stain Remover can be used for removing these stains.

Silver Nitrate
This is another medicinal stain. The stain is dark grey-black in color. In addition to discoloring the carpet, Silver Nitrate can cause fiber deterioration and color bleeding. In general, the stain can not be removed. Call Technical Services for more information.