Carpets & Flooring
CRI Articles
IEHA Articles
IICRC Articles
Features
Defining the difference between spots, stains and discolorations is almost like differentiating between a rug and a carpet. The terms have been used synonymously for so long that most attempts to separate them are construed as "splitting hairs." For our purposes, however, let's define a spot as something that adds substance to fibers (e.g., oil, tar, gum, sugar, starch) and a stain as something that adds color to fibers (e.g., Kool Aid®, red wine, coffee, tea, cola, colored beverages, certain medicines). A discoloration is the loss of color from fibers caused by a strong alkali or acid, urine, bleaches and the like. A spot usually changes the texture (feel) of the fiber (e.g., sticky, crusty, slick, greasy, stiff), while a stain or discoloration has little or no texture, unless combined with other contaminants. [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].
To further complicate the matter, spotting and staining agents often are combined in one compound. Examples include candle wax with dye or pigment, lipstick, nail polish, even coffee or tea (vegetable dye called tannin) with cream and sugar.
Spotting Concepts
There are several basic spotting concepts of which both consumers and professional cleaners should be aware: consumers, because they are in a position to render immediate action that keeps the spot or stain from becoming permanent, and professional cleaners, because they frequently receive panic calls from concerned homemakers asking, "What do I do?" These general concepts include:
Keep It Simple!
In military jargon, stick with KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Always vacuum (with a wet/dry unit as needed), blot the spot, and or absorb or scoop up excess contaminant with a spoon first. If appropriate, break up the crusty portions of the spot and then vacuum. Occasionally, pigment or powdered materials, such as copier toner, will come right out when dry vacuumed first, whereas considerable expansion of the spot and permanent staining may take place if the spot is wet before vacuuming. Scooping up excess contaminant, such as mustard or ketchup, lessens the probability of its spreading, or of the fabric absorbing a quantity thereof. In some cases simply placing a quantity of dry compound cleaner (e.g., Host®, Capture®) on the spot to contain and absorb it may be the fastest and easiest way to prevent it from spreading or becoming permanent.
Act Quickly!
Ninety percent of spots on carpet and upholstery can be removed completely if they are absorbed, blotted and flushed immediately (within two or three minutes) with plain water or a mild detergent solution.
Know the Fiber Content
You should have a fairly accurate idea of the fiber content of the carpet or upholstery before spotting begins. Knowing the fiber type will give you some indication of colorfastness, spotting chemical resistance and delicacy. This can be extremely important, and for this reason a rather comprehensive fiber identification procedure is used by professionals. Most spotting on high-value fabrics (tapestries, Oriental rugs) with exotic fibers (e.g., wool, silk, cotton) should be handled by professionals.
Check the Spot's Composition
Knowing the composition of a spotting or staining material is basic to efficient removal. For example, mustard is a brownish, vegetable substance combined with vinegar, vegetable oil, sugar and salt, all of which are flushed easily from carpet and upholstery fibers. Unfortunately, mustard produced for American consumers usually contains a yellow dye (turmeric, an organic or disperse dye) that remains to stain fibers long after the actual mustard has been completely removed. The point is that you must read labels and ask detailed questions to determine exactly what procedure to follow. Professional assistance usually is required for residual mustard "stain" removal.
Be Patient!
Chemical reactions often take time. The spot you're treating may have been in the carpet or upholstery for months or even years. When this is the case, it may take several minutes for your spotting chemicals to dissolve or emulsify and fully suspend that spot. Continuing to apply more spotting agent "to speed things up" will only cause saturation of backing materials and backcoatings. This often results in dissolving components, or later, in wicking of excess agents to the fabric's surface where circles or soil-attracting residues will form. Additionally, impatient scrubbing or vigorous tamping action to accelerate chemicals only results in frayed yarns that look worse than the spot itself. Chemicals and procedures, therefore, must be applied cautiously and with patience.
Test!
Be sure to test spotting agents in an inconspicuous area of the carpet or upholstery for colorfastness and fiber compatibility. Remember the trite old saying, "Better safe than sorry."
Minimize Chemical Applications
Always use as little agent as possible to accomplish the job. Concentrate your efforts on surface or face yarns only. Again, don't use so much that backing materials become saturated, since some common spotting agents damage or completely dissolve fabric adhesives or backcoatings.
Usually, consumers or even some cleaning technicians use far more spotting agent than required to do the job. Again, upon drying, excess agent may wick to the surface of fabrics causing rapid resoiling, circling, or even dye migration.
Extract All Residues
The spotting job isn't necessarily completed with the removal of the spot or stain. Some spotting agents can leave residues that attract soil, and, at least in the mind of the casual observer, the "same" spot reappears a few days later. Be sure to flush or rinse all substances that are foreign to the construction of the fabric, including your spotting chemicals. This may be of particular concern with non-volatile dry solvents (NVDS), or paint, oil and grease removers (POG).
Typically, there are two reasons why spots reappear: First, cleaning processes may fail to extract all of the contaminant suspended by spotting agents and those contaminants wick back; or second, spotting agents may leave a non-volatile residue that attracts soil. All residue of both spot contaminant and spotting agents must be completely removed if spots are to be prevented from "returning" or "reappearing."
Get It Dry!
Finally, the job still isn't complete until the area is useable again. This means that steps must be taken to thoroughly dry the treated area. An absorbent towel, a hair dryer or a fan may be used to accomplish this task efficiently. Regardless of how drying is accomplished, it is your responsibility to see that it is accomplished, since traffic over or use of damp fabric results in localized soiling and possibly even odor, which, in turn, may require costly corrective procedures.
With prolonged overwetting, at worst, jute or cotton backing or stuffing materials may mold and rot, and upholstery may fade or circle, thus creating the need for more costly repair procedures or fabric replacement (heaven forbid)!
In summary, general spotting concepts include:
1. Keep it simple
2. Act quickly!
3. Know the fiber content
4. Know the spot's composition, if possible
5. Be patient!
6. Test for colorfastness
7. Use as little spotting agent as possible
8. Always rinse residues
9. Get the spot dry
One word of caution - if incorrect chemicals or procedures are used for many stains, the stain may be made permanent. Usually, it's prudent to call a professional for help where stains are involved on nylon, cotton, linen, silk, wool or other exotic carpet, rugs, or upholstery. Contact information for cleantrustCertified Firms in your area may be located by accessing http://iicrc.org/locate-a-certified-professional/ or by calling 800-835-4624 (7am to 5pm PST)
If consumers or cleaning technicians keep these relatively simple principles and precautions in mind, a majority of the complaints relating to spotting will be eliminated. The added benefit is that actual spot removal will be easier and much more effective!
About the Author: Jeff Bishop is Technical Advisor for the IICRC; a Certified Carpet, Vinyl, and Wood Laminate Inspector, and a Certified Mold Remediation expert. He serves as a consultant to fiber producers, carpet mills, insurance training schools and to a variety of city, state and federal disaster relief agencies. He serves as a Director of the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians. He previously served the IICRC as Vice President, Chairman of the Examination and Standards Committee, and Chairman of the IICRC Certification Council. Bishop is the author of several books, including Specialized Carpet Spotting.
