| The first thing you should understand about carpet | | | | far, are alkaline, because alkaline cuts soil more |
| constructed of synthetic yarns-nylon, polyester, acrylic, | | | | efficiently. Further, when one considers the very wide |
| polypropylene (Olefin)-is that they are solidified | | | | variety of soils that accumulate in carpeting (to say |
| chemicals. In other words, when you apply cleaning | | | | nothing of quantity) one can well imagine that chemical |
| agent to such carpeting, you are literally applying a | | | | strength can influence soil cutting efficiency. Some |
| chemical to a chemical. If a chemical reaction occurs, | | | | cleaning chemical manufacturers will boost pH to |
| permanent yarn discoloration may result, which gives | | | | increase efficiency, making the product unsafe for |
| us our first rule in safe spot removal: Never use hard | | | | stain-resist nylon. |
| surface cleaners or laundry cleaners on carpeting. Use | | | | Can cleaning-agent yellowing be corrected? |
| only cleaners designed for carpet. However, if your | | | | Maybe; but there are too many variables to say for |
| carpeting is "stain-resist" nylon, even more restrictions | | | | sure, for example, some people-even some |
| apply. What makes "stain-resist" nylon an exception? | | | | professional cleaners-use carpet cleaning chemicals |
| Nylon is superior to all other synthetic yarns, save for | | | | irresponsibly, operating in the belief that, if a little is good, |
| one respect: It's more susceptible to permanent stains | | | | a bunch is great! Consequently, they apply an |
| from fugitive, acid dyes. Since most food dyes are | | | | excessive quantity that becomes virtually impossible to |
| acidic, this single weakness can become significant, | | | | retrieve. (Add water, you get suds. Add more water, |
| especially in homes where people consume foodstuffs | | | | you get more suds.) When the cause is un-removable, |
| over carpeting. So, to help control nylon's affinity for | | | | the problem is unsolvable. In this instance, the |
| acid dyes, some fiber mills apply dye blocker to their | | | | discoloration is permanent. When a minimal quantity of |
| nylon goods. Nylon carpeting, so treated, is called | | | | a strong cleaner has been applied, it may be possible |
| "stain-resist" nylon. | | | | to restore the carpet color. Call a qualified, professional |
| What is dye blocker? Dye blocker is a colorless dye | | | | carpet cleaner. |
| applied to nylon for the sole purpose of 'plugging' the | | | | How can I know whether a professional cleaner is |
| dye sites-not unlike putting a cork in a bottle-rendering | | | | qualified or not? |
| the yarn far less susceptible to discoloration from | | | | Ask questions, such as what makes stain-resist nylon |
| foreign, acidic dyes. However, dye blocker is prone to | | | | different from other nylon? What is pH? What is the |
| yellow when high pH cleaners are applied. | | | | pH limit for cleaning agents used on stain-resist nylon? |
| What is pH? pH is a symbol for percent hydrogen. | | | | Or, you can explain that yellow spots appeared after |
| And, the pH scale is a rating system for measuring | | | | removing spots from your carpeting, then, ask him why |
| acid and alkaline strength: The pH scale is numbered | | | | the carpeting turned yellow. You now have the |
| from zero to fourteen and is divided in the middle. | | | | answers to all these questions. If he can supply the |
| Seven, the center point, is neutral-neither acid nor | | | | answers, the probability is, he's qualified. |
| alkaline-and is the equivalent of distilled water. A rating | | | | Also ask if he/she is IICRC certified, (Institute of |
| that falls below 7 is an acid; above, an alkaline. As the | | | | Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification), |
| rating descends from neutral 7-6, 5, 4-the stronger the | | | | there are many degrees of certification, the highest |
| acid becomes, with 'zero' being the strongest acid | | | | being Master Cleaner and Master Restoration Tech. |
| possible. As the rating ascends-8, 9, 10-the stronger the | | | | The bottom line: |
| alkaline becomes, with 'fourteen' being the strongest | | | | There are many carpet cleaning products on the |
| alkaline possible. | | | | market, but there are no panaceas. Different spotting |
| Because of dye blocker's inclination to yellow when a | | | | problems call for different solutions. Some cleaning |
| strong, alkaline cleaner is applied, carpet and fiber mills | | | | agents are safe. Some are not. And, the user |
| do not recommend cleaners with a higher pH alkaline | | | | instructions for most are deficient. When you have a |
| rating than 10. Some restrict the pH to 9.5. | | | | spotting problem, you would be wise to seek solution |
| How can I know what the pH is? Sometimes the pH is | | | | advice from a qualified, professional cleaner before |
| indicated on the container, but often, not. There are no | | | | taking any action. Otherwise, regrets become probable. |
| laws requiring cleaning chemical manufacturers to | | | | When you find a qualified professional, keep his name |
| indicate it. Avoid cleaners that don't specify pH | | | | and phone number handy. For lack of governmental |
| strength. They could exceed the limitations. | | | | regulation, professional competence in the carpet |
| While there are a few acid cleaners around, most, by | | | | cleaning industry is hard to find. |