Sometimes a mark or spillage simply cant be removed. What are the stains that are permanent?
We can remove most of the stains that we encounter, but now and again we are faced with carpet stains and damage that are here to stay.
Carpet fibres can be permanently stained, marked or even re coloured.
Hair driers & straighteners
We are often faced with dark marks in bedrooms (particularly close to mirrors) When we get down and inspect the area, it soon becomes clear what has happened.
Hair driers and straighteners if placed on carpet fibres during use will burn them. Fibres usually return a dark appearance. If you touch the area the stain feels hard and rough.
In this case the carpet has been damaged. There are companies that offer re tufting. This can solve the issue and save you a lot of money.
Wood dye
Some older pieces of furniture will have been hand made. Furniture like this could have wood dye as part of its make up,
If you have been unfortunate enough to have spilt water on or near the area the piece stands you may of unwittingly caused a dye mark on your carpet.
We often see marks when working in customers homes. Sometimes left by other carpet cleaners that have not placed protective squares after cleaning.
Bleaching
Some carpets have been advertised recently as ‘bleach cleanable’ this has lead to people reaching for bleach to clean spots and stains in their homes.
This in many cases has ended in carpet fibres being ruined.
Did you know that many stain removers purchased in supermarkets contain bleach? Often called ‘optical brightening agents’ these product can strip the colours from your carpet fibres.
Domestic products also contain detergents. Detergents will leave sticky residues in your carpet, this will often attract more dirt in a short period of time.
Sun / UV
People are often surprised when they move sofas or take up rugs. Furniture and rugs will often protect carpet fibres from harmful sun rays.
Over time colour can fade in carpet and upholstered fibres. Creating a patchwork effect on carpets.
This problem is so widespread that companies are now offering specialist UV filtration that is applied to the inside of windows.
Burn Marks from fires or log burners
This is a regular sight when we are cleaning carpets or rugs throughout Sussex. If you are using logs that are not kiln dried or seasoned you run the risk of spitting.
Hot cinders are spat out of open fires will immediately damage carpet fibres. Once again re tufting is the most cost effective way of solving the problem.
Dragging heavy furniture
This is a common problem. Moving a heavy item of furniture will damage carpet fibres especially if the carpet is man made.
Contact temperatures rise and damage will then take place. Long lines on carpets are usually the result.
Using several different products
Most people have done this. A stain appears, you reach for something under the sink hoping that the solution will remove the mark.
This will often end up with someone purchasing different products to try. You can then potentially create a chemical cocktail, sometimes ending with damage.
Hire machines
Hiring a machine often seems like a cost effective way to clean your carpets. Recently we were contacted by a local family early on a Monday morning.
They had used a hire machine on the Saturday morning. By the time Monday had arrived the carpet was still wet and starting to smell.
With extensive advertising companies convince people that the results they can achieve are of a professional standard. This is not the case.
Pet damage
We love our pets, cats and dogs can damage carpets without you realising. Vomit and urine from dogs and cats is highly acidic.
Unless tended to quickly and efficiently, acid burning will take place in your fibres. This will have a yellowing effect that is often impossible to remove.
Heavy furniture
Large items of furniture left in the same position for long periods of time will crush the fibres. If you empty a room one of the first things that you will notice will be carpet dents.
Many people have tried a multitude of ways to resolve this problem. Using ice, brushes, vacuum cleaners and even tape to try and pull the fibres up.
Fibres have a memory a bit like a hose pipe. They usually remain crushed.
Crafting / DIY
People often underestimate the power of modern glues. Fibres can be permanently bond if superglue lands on you carpet.
There are many ways of protecting your carpet if you are decorating or repairing items in your home. We think its worth taking the time to safeguard against accidents.
Carpet moths
We have seen more damage caused by carpet moths in recent years. If you are unlucky a moth can fly into your home and lay its larvae in your carpet.
Carpet moths are looking for natural fibre carpet and rugs. As the larvae develop they will start to consume your fibres.
Moths often try to lay their eggs underneath large and heavy items. Just before new carpet moths fully develop the larvae resemble grains of rice.
You are then left with unsightly bald patches in your carpets.
We have created this post to increase customers awareness of the effects of household products, pets and items in our homes.
Hopefully this will help to avoid permanent damage and stains that could effect carpet.
Hair Dye – We have seen lots of small dark spots (usually from a bathroom to a bedroom) on our travels recently. Unless dye spots are immediately cleaned they will become permanent.
