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Identifying Mysterious
Stains |
| Mysterious spots
(changes in color) on carpets, and upholstery
may have come from spills of common household chemicals. These spots cannot be
corrected by you and must be corrected by a professional. These chemicals react
with the fiber dyes.
The color change may develop slowly, even months later, and may only show up
after exposure to dampness
(humidity, washing, cleaning), sunlight, or warmth triggers a chemical reaction.
Chemical Discoloration can be Permanent! And redyeing the spot to restore the
color may be the only option.
Prevent such spots by being careful in using any chemicals in the home, and trying
to wipe up any spills at once. READ THE LABEL ON CHEMICALS (cleaners, polishes,
medicines, cosmetics, pesticides, plant food, etc.) and follow directions for
application and use, especially any cautions or warnings given! If a spill occurs,
follow label directions for removal.
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| CHEMICAL
CULPRITS |
| Some of the chemicals that are frequently the cause of
mysterious color spots are: |
| Benzoyl Peroxide |
Yellow or Orange Spots: This strong bleaching
chemical is used in acne medications, age creams, some foot
care products, and some pet shampoos. It's not water soluble
and hard to wash off hands and face. Spots may show up in
hours or not until months later depending on temperature
and humidity. Most spots start as orange or dark yellow,
and get lighter over time. On blue carpets they may be pinkish
or white. |
| Bleaches |
Yellow or Green: Oxygen bleaches act more slowly then
chlorine bleach but both will fade dyes. So will swimming
pool chemicals (calcium hypochlorite) tracked into the home,
and mildew inhibitors that contain bleach if not used according
to directions. Chlorine usually causes yellow spots, but
will turn some red dyes to green. |
| Acids |
Pink or orange spots on carpets are caused by as little
as 1% hydrochloric acid in solution. Stomach acid is 10%
Hydrochloric acid, so vomit must be cleaned up promptly and
neutralized with a mild alkali such as a detergent solution
and rinsed, or there will be permanent colored spots. It
can turn some red dyes to bright blue.
Toilet bowl cleaners, corn and callus removers, tile cleaners, and some rust
removers also contain acids. Strong acids can cause red spots on tan/beige carpets. |
| Alkalis |
Strong alkali as lye in oven cleaners and drain cleaners
can change colors, and also destroy the textile. Remove,
then neutralize spot with white vinegar solution, and rinse. |
| Furniture Polish |
This can destroy red carpet dyes and cause green or blue
spots. This usually happens where polish has gotten on carpet
around the base of furniture by careless spraying or wiping,
and is not found until furniture is moved.
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| Insecticides |
Spraying insecticides on baseboards and getting the insecticide
on the carpet can fade carpet dyes. Most often cited in this
are malathion, diazinon, and DDVP. |
| Phenol Disinfectants |
Some, not all, phenols in disinfectants and germicides,
fade carpets. Some bathroom cleaners contain phenols; read
label. |
| Plant Foods |
Yellow Spills of liquid plant foods or leakage from house
plants can discolor carpet. Spots are usually dull yellow.
They start down near the backing and develop up into the
pile, sometimes taking months to show up. |
| Urine |
Urine stains discolor carpet and upholstery, as well as
causing a musty odor. Spots turn dull yellow or red. |
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CLUES TO SOURCE OF SPOTS |
1. Where is it found? |
2. What products could have been spilled, sprayed, or
rubbed off there? |
3. Shape of Stain? |
If spilled, spreads out like an explosion, usually
spreads out below surface as in carpet backing. If
tracked in from other room, usually a footprint shape,
and on surface as tops of carpet pile.
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4. Odor? |
If spot smells different than rest of carpet, something
was spilled there; odor may be a clue.
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5. Color? |
Colors suggested above may be clue to substance spilled
or tracked.
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