We all know by now that some carpet stains are difficult to remove, regardless of the cleaner’s skill. No matter how consistently and thoroughly you clean, persistent stains may impair the cleanliness of an entire room.
Perhaps you are here because you’re dealing with the same situation in Lindsay, Peterborough, Oshawa or surrounding areas? Well, we’re here to tell you that it all boils down to determining the source of a spot or stain. Prior to cleaning, the first priority is to identify the type of stain. Identifying the type of stain aids in the selection of the best stain removal formula. If you then know the source of the stain, you may remove stains using the right cleaning tools and chemicals.
Read on to discover more about identifying and cleaning carpet stains today.
Understanding the Needs of Your Carpet
Understanding the carpet fibre of a stain aids cleaners in removing it. Each carpet material has benefits and drawbacks.
When exposed to acidic substances such as fruit drink colouring, nylon, which is known for its stain resistance, stains easily. Stain protection treatments can help prevent stains. Because factory-installed stain blockers can wear out in the high traffic areas, carpet protectors should be used whenever possible.
Olefin fibres prefer oil, as opposed to acid dyes and tannins. Cooking oil, grease, and tar, for example, can be difficult to remove from the olefin carpet. You may have more alternatives in cleaning products to use because olefin is more chemically compatible to higher PH cleaners.
Polyester, meanwhile, tolerates oily soils better and can resist food and beverage stains.
Moreover, spots may be more stubborn and stain removal can be hampered by the “blend” of carpet fibre materials.
Good to Know: Spots or Stains?
Let us compare spots and stains and contrast the differences between the two. Although they are separate, professional cleaning companies actually use both terms. Spots are on the outside of the carpet fibres, whereas stains are on the inside. Typically, stains leave no apparent traces on the surface of the fibre.
Spots, unlike stains, have texture due to the residue on the fibres, whereas stains do not because the problem is inside the fibres. A pocket microscope can be used by a cleaner to identify whether the contaminant is within or on the surface of the fibre.
Methods of Identifying Marks and Stains
The best approach to detect a stain is to know what it is, yet cleaners are rarely given this information from the customer. A person’s recollection is not always trustworthy. Based on the location, appearance, and/or odour of a mark or stain, you can determine its composition.
1. The Location
To hypothesize a spot’s makeup, consider its location (room type). Food stains are widespread in family rooms and dining rooms and other social sitting areas. Grease, animal fur and other typical issues on the ground around the carpeted area can be used to identify possible causes.
2. The Appearance
The appearance of a spot may reveal its makeup. A stain’s appearance aids cleaners in determining whether it is manufactured or biological. Organic stains are often black, sticky, and brownish in appearance. Stains with a shiny look are often from an oily or synthetic source like waxes or polishes.
3. The Smell
Some professional cleaners may use their sense of smell to find stains. You could do this as well by simply getting down and smelling it or wetting the area before giving it a good sniff. This is a method that may require a decent sense of smell but can be helpful in some cases.
Getting the Work Done
Professional carpet cleaners can choose the best solutions after determining the source of the stain. The following parameters apply to the product selection and will be discussed in upcoming articles on spot and stain removal techniques:
- Petroleum-based: Use a dry solvent.
- Water-soluble: Use a water-based agent.
- Synthetic: Use a reducing agent.
- Natural or organic: Use an oxidizing agent.
- Protein (vomit, feces, blood): Use a protein digester.
Conclusion
Because our homes and our carpets are some of our greatest investments, we want to keep them clean at all times. By keeping them clean and stain-free, we extend their life and preserve their quality. As such, keep this information in mind to help you identify and clean carpet stains in the future.
Are you looking for a professional carpet cleaning service? Chem-Dry of the Kawarthas is here to offer quality cleaning services for your home and carpets in Kawartha Lakes, Oshawa and surrounding areas. With us, you can keep everything looking and feeling brand-new! Contact us today for a FREE quote!
