In the world of carpet cleaning the words spots, stains, and spills are often used interchangeably. Not surprisingly, this can cause confusion. Accordingly, for the purposes of this article we will define these terms as follows:
Spot – this term means a removable stain, that is a mark on the fibre or carpet yarn which is capable of being removed, so long as the appropriate removal methods and cleaning solutions are apllied.
Spill – this term is used to denote any wet material which is on the surface of the carpet fibres and which can be successfully dealt with, again using the correct cleaning solutions and procedures.
Stain – for the purposes of this article a stain denotes any substance that has caused permanent staining or altered the colour of the carpet fibre or yarn. A stain cannot therefore be removed, irrespective of the technique or cleaning materials employed.
When a professional carpet cleaner is consultedby a homeowner or business person to deal with spots, spills or stains on his/her carpet it is vitalthat the cleaner and the customer fully understands the above terms so as to be realistic about the possibilities of removing soiling from your carpets with sucess.
It is therefore worth considering some of the factors which may affect successful spot or spill removal – remember stains are permanent and cannot be removed.
For some expert input we spoke with Proclean Domestic Cleaning Glasgow who had the following things to say on the topic:
Age Of The Spot: this is the main consideration, because spots oxidise – that is, they mix with oxygen in the air – which can change its chemical makeup, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove. The best advice is to deal with any spots, spills or stains as quickly as possible.
Temperature Of Material When Spilled – heat is used as part of the procedure of dying carpet fibres in the first place, so it stands to reason that substances which contain natural dyes, such as coffee and tea, can themselves dye carpet fibres, making removal impossible in certain instances. For example hot coffee can often produce a permanent stain which cannot be removed, whereas cold coffee spots are often capable of being successfully treated.
Type Of Carpet Fibre – The type of material your carpet is made from can have an influence on if spots or other mnarks can be removed. For example carpets made of wool can be more susceptible to permanent staining than nylon or some other man-made fibres
Construction Of Carpet – It may seem obvious but it can sometimes be easier todeal with spots successfully on a carpet with a lower pile. The reason behind this is quite simple – the higher the carpet pile, then the larger the surface area which is exposed to the potentially premanent staining difficult to attend to.
Previous Cleaning Attempts – It may be human nature to try to deal with spots or spills yourself when they occur but you should bear in mind that using the wrong materials or techniques in an effort to remove problem spots or spills can, in fact, make aggravate matters by making the stain permanent. If in doubt seek professional help as quickly as possible.
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