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Carpet is bombarded regularly with abuse. Soil, pet stains, drink spills, food stains, sun-fade, chemical spills - all take their toll on carpet. Many household items, such as colognes and perfumes, bleach, insecticide, urine, coffee, plant food, etc., all can change the carpet's color and appearance. At times, cleaning services can do their job well, but still some staining and discoloration remains. Why? [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].
The problem lies in what has happened to the carpet - at the fiber level. Generally speaking, a true carpet cleaning professional must figure out whether they face a stain issue or a discoloration issue. What's the difference?
Stains
A stain is defined as any color that is added to the carpet fiber, leaving an altered color.
If it is determined that it is a stain, then it is the professional's job to remove the stain without damaging the original color of the carpet. Thankfully, there are products out there that are effective at removing Kool-Aid, magic markers, food or hair dye. However, it is possible for zealous do-it-yourselfers and even some cleaning services to remove some of the carpet's original color while removing the stain - which brings us to...
Discoloration
Discoloration is the result of color being removed from the carpet fiber, leaving a lighter color. Sometimes, during intensive cleaning by unqualified personnel, some of the original dye the manufacturer used to color the carpet is "pulled out" as well. In addition, sunlight can produce fading or discoloration. What can be done when some of the carpet's original color is removed? The correct shade of dye needs to be applied to correct the discoloration.
Color Repair
Homeowners - and some carpet cleaning professionals - are often good at removing dirt, but lack the training or ability to remove stubborn stains or correct discolorations.
Thankfully, The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) can help carpet owners to locate expert cleaners and Color Repair Technicians (CRT) that are trained and certified to handle tough stain removal and needed color repairs.
Spills will happen, and stains and discolorations are likely over the average carpet life of 10-12 years. Color repair by cleantrust-Certified technicians can provide a "face lift", allowing carpet to look good throughout its lifetime. To locate an cleantrust-Certified firm, visit www.certifiedcleaners.org.
