[colin thomas]

customer rang me to say that when she has moved a rug in her dining room that has not been moved for 3 years there is a biscuit coloured stain where it was, the rug has a brown cotton or linen backing of course, i know that it is this that has leached out into her 80/20 carpet but has anyone had any joy in getting rid of these sort of stains.
does anyone know why these backings do this to a dry carpet, might it be that it is a concrete floor which creates a slight dampness?

colin

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi Colin

I am presuming that the stain is more or less the size of the rug, and that the rug is a machine or gun tufted rug, the backing coated with latex and then covered with a cotton panel cover on the reverse.

My number one guess is that the latex contains an anti-oxidant used to extend it's life. It's called Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT). This can off-gas and react with Sulphur and Nitrogen oxides in the air to produce a compound called p-Quinone. This can/will "yellow" the carpet beneath. Removal of the staining is unlikely, so a clutching at straws option is to treat with acetic acid or an acid rinse. Cleaning will have zero effect.

If, however, it is a smaller stain beneath the rug, this may suggest a spillage which has seeped through. This could be anything from water (cellolosic browning) through white wine etc. etc. (pH test and treat accordingly).

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[colin thomas]

blimey ken, had to read that twice for it to seep in!  you are right, i haven't  seen it but it is the size of the rug so it's not a spillage and i didn't think that just cleaning it would make any difference so, could i just try spraying with an acid rinse and extracting or lightly spraying with acetic acid, what would be your weapon of choice,

colin

[Ken Wainwright]

You could spray with acetic acid or distilled (white) vinegar solution (try 1:10), lightly brush in, dwell and absorb with a towel. Ditto with a proprietary acid rinse solution or rinse extract with your acid rinse in your machine.

Obviously test first.

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[colin thomas]

top man     

[paul moss]

Colin I have come across this many times and in the early days tried in vain to remove the colouring to major levels of oxidisation and reducing agents with very little results. A reduction in the stain is possible but if transfer in strong then a very visible mark will always be present.
I totally agree with Kens answer whih is usually 75% of the cause, i also find the other major cause is plain dye transfer to any wool blend yarn.

I went to quote a large lounge a few years ago where the centre had a large 10 by 12 rug over it. The carpet was a cream 80/20 about 6 years old and the customer said that the rug had never been moved so underneath would not be dirty. I allways inspect under rugs and turned a corner over. The customer was gobsmacked as i then folded the rest of th rug over to show a 12 by 10 bright orange square.
The rug was a machine made chineese wool, with a orange cotton backing which had transfered onto the carpet.
I have seen this on numerous occasions in colours of blue and also green.

[paul moss]

Should have added, save your self alot of time and qualify it away.

There not worth the hassel mate.

[colin thomas]

paul, thanks for the reply, what you have said are my thoughts as well, it would be a no hoper i think but at least if i can tell the customer what the cause is then it could lead to work in the future for at least giving her an answer!

colin

[paul moss]

Colin, no probs mate.
How did you ever get on with that POG stain?

[roger underhill]

In your first post colin you refered to the 80/20 carpet as being 'dry' but it is my understanding that the wool in the carpet will absorb moisture from the atmosphere meaning that the carpet will actually be always damp.