I thought to start blogging with Spot Cleaning, to try to be of service and help to cover some of the issues I've seen, that occur when people use internet household solutions for their carpet.
Too often people resort to the first or second solution they can google, to address the spot or spill in their carpet. However, what they don't know often is, will what there using cause more damage or problems than they already have. Chemistry is part of the construction of carpet, whether in its production process of the fiber itself or the glues or backings. Different household items have there own chemistry and can ill effect the carpet. Even made for carpet spotting products can have or cause issue if the proper process is not followed to completion. In example' some products can leave residues in the carpet that act as an agglomerate, and glom or grab the dirt from ones shoes or feet, and cause quicker accumulation of dirt on the carpet. So you had treated a spot with this sudsy or soapy product and it disappears only to seem to return some short weeks latter. This is often caused by the collection, to the substance left in the carpet.
So the solution is often to just rinse with water. Or to use a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. This is actually a great spotting agent to start with. The vinegar crystalizes and gradually dissipates so no residues are left to become the problem.
Test your spotting agents.
I highly recommend whatever your going to use for spotting, to test it in an area that you wont see on a regular basis, such as a closest or leftover carpet from its installation if you can. Even some retail products can bleach a carpet, most have instruction to 'test it first' as all carpets are not made of the same construction. And they know it can damage some carpet types, thus the instruction. Any time soaps are included in the home spun solutions you get off the internet, they are likely to cause problems. Whether its from the soap itself acting as an agglomerater, or stripping the color out and bleaching the carpet. Many laundry products are multi strength products, i.e. 5x or 10x strength products. and can bleach your carpet,as in the example pictures included in the blog. Dilution of the soap can help, but did you test it and did you rinse it out after you spot cleaned it..
Using multiple products can set a stain.
Unfortunately trying many cleaning solutions can set a stain in the carpet, and anything the professional would attempt could end up unsuccessful. When one miracle internet fix didn't work did you try another? and another and another? Well now its set and there's no way back. You should certainly rinse whatever you tried, out of the carpet, before you try something else because the chemistry of the solutions your trying may mix', into the cause of damage. 'Chemistry' some things work together some don't.
Oversaturation
Use a spray bottle to mist the carpet for spotting when possible. Pouring products on the carpet and soaking the spot can cause damage. There are glues present in the backings and you can cause delamination and separation to occur, and the fibers could fall out or unravel.
"My Take"
So start with water or vinegar and water (1 to 2 parts mixture). If you use a commercial product or internet inspired concoction, test it first, and always rinse to remove that product out if it worked, and before trying something else. This will save you time and your carpet.
I hope this has been helpful.
