Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: absolutecleaning on November 05, 2007, 05:29:12 pm
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going to customer in about 30 mins
he spilt hot coffee on mainly wool carpet yesterday
i havent really done much stain removal so far
am i right in thinking as it is such a new stain i should try "normal" procedure first
ie : microsplitter, agitate, rinse
and then if this doesnt work try stain pro then rinse?
any help much appreciated!
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Did one today on wool - Prochem coffee stain remover, left to dwell, extracted, then m power, extracted, again, perfect result
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Hi
I would extract first with MS or detetrgent to see what is left.
Then try changing the pH with acid rinse, then coffee stain remover, then extract with whatever you normally use.
Cheers
Doug
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cheers you two - on the way out the door now - think i will try m/s first and then stain remover
thank you
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after that mild panic customer didnt want it doing today - booked for thursday so if anyone else has any bright ideas can they let me know
cheers
simon
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heres some thoughts of the top of my head ;) ;)
Anyone involved in carpet cleaning often find success when removing coffee or tea spills - if the job comes relatively soon after the spill occurs.
But allow a few days to pass, and the coffee, tea or wine stain is one tough customer.
These stains appear to take up permanent residence in the carpet. Your most aggressive cleaning technique often shows limited success.
This technical bulletin will help you analyze the makeup of coffee, tea and wine stains and the best way to completely remove them.
Why so tough?
Coffee, tea and wine (and many other beverages that contain "tannins", such as fruit juices) are difficult to remove because of the high temperature of the spill and added substances in the beverage (with the exception of wine and cold drinks).
Plain, black coffee removal is one thing; black coffee with added cream and sugar is another.
In addition to this, some decaffeinated coffees often have artificial colors added to give it a richer look. Other, organic and non-caffeine coffees also can have artificial colors added. Artificial coloring can be tough to remove.
When performing spot or stain removal with coffee or tea that has flavorings added, you often have to use spotters (typically alkaline spotting agents) for those substances in addition to the basic coffee spill.
And then there are the tannins in beverage spills. Tannins are found in beverages such as:
Coffee
Tea
Wine
Beer and other alcoholic drinks
Fruit juices
Colas
Cocoa
Tomato juice
And more
Tannin is a natural occurring vegetable dye found in many plants especially grape skin, tea leaves, bark and stalk of vegetation. It is responsible for the "bitter" taste of red wine and some coffees - a good thing, as long as it isn't spilled onto the carpet.
When coffee or tea or other beverages with tannins are spilled onto carpet, the heat of the beverage "opens up" the fiber and allows it to penetrate, at times penetrating through any fabric protection in the carpet. However, the better protection in the carpet, the better your chances of complete stain removal.
These hot spills bond with the fiber and removal is difficult, especially after a day or two have passed - or weeks or months, which can be the case.
(Remember: If you are called to clean a fresh coffee or tea spill, have your customer put a damp, white towel on the spot and weight the towel down. This will keep the spot damp and easier to remove when you arrive.)
What to do?
The first step of removal is to clean the spot or stain with a quality detergent, which will help remove added substances.
Do not use real soap, as soap can set the tannins or at least make them more difficult to remove. Although the cleaning industry uses detergents and not real soap, your customers may feel tempted to grab a bar of soap and use it on the stain. That's a mistake.
After applying the detergent, work it into the spot or stain and allow dwell time; then extract the spot or stain.
What is left behind is probably a tannin stain.
Next, apply a tannin stain remover (tannin stain removers are acid-based detergents, which work by dissolving the tannin for easier removal), work it into the stain, and allow to dwell for several minutes. Extract the spot and inspect.
If you still have a stain, it's time to use a color-safe bleach.
When the going gets tough...
There are two schools of thought with removing the remaining coffee or tea stain.
Some cleaners recommend using a reducing agent; another say an oxidizing agent is best.
Often, either one will work fine. The bleaching action of these products removes the discoloration.
Choosing a reducing agent (typically a powder) is smart, especially if you are in a hurry. Reducing agent action can be seen very quickly, while an oxidizing agent takes more time.
What works on one stain might not work on another. Have both classes of bleach on hand at all times. Use heat to activate the chemical, and if you are unsuccessful after several attempts, wet the stain with an oxidizing bleach, cover with plastic and allow dwell time up to 24 hours.
Caution: When using heat, especially from a clothes iron, you can remove carpet color. Be sure to monitor the bleaching action to avoid this.
When it keeps coming back
You removed the coffee or tea (or wine, etc) spill and a day or two later you get a phone call telling you the spot is back - and perhaps even bigger.
Many spot and stain removal attempts leave some residue in the base of the fibers or the backing of the carpet. This then prompts "wicking", or the upward movement of the substance to the surface.
As the carpet dries, the substance moves up the carpet fiber and then sits on the surface and dries. Most of the time, this is why spots come back.
Remember: The last part of the carpet to dry are the tips of the fibers, not the base.
It's best to predict this problem and prevent it, than to have to reclean.
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Mike good points.
All my customers are trainned to the following method regarding tea,coffee,redwine etc.
1. Blot as much of the liquid out of the carpet with tepid water and a towel.
2. add a solution of white vinegar and water to the affected area.
3. Place a dry towel oevr the spill and place a heavyish objct on top of the towel.
4. Leave till next morning then remove towel.
9 times out of ten the stain has wicked into the towel ansd left the carpet stain free. I then just give a quick acidic rinse.
The acidic acid in the white vinegar stops the tannin from staining the carpet.
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Could you name a powder reducing Agent.
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spray & go is a powdered reducer
Mike
ps; that did'nt come from the top of my head, I copied it from an email I recieved ;)
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Hi Mike
Thanks for your info, here it is in a slightly more accessible form http://cleanprosonline.com/tannins.html
I will post something on reducers later .
Cheers
Doug
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Doug
What does coffe Stain Remover with a PH of 3 have in it that an Acid Rince of PH does not?
Why I ask the Cleaning Pros Stain removal manual is based on ph not product
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What i did was get a bit of carpet and try 5 or 6 differant coffee stain removers and differant dwell times
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Ian its not just the ph factor but also the ingredients of the chemical and the work it actually does.
Sodium metabisulphate is a very good reducing agent and should be used only if the tannin removers have been unable to remove the stain. ou can also usean oxidiser but prefre to use reducing agnts first.
The thing to be aware of for those who have never use sod/met before is to practice first before trying out customers carpets as if you make it too strong it can turn wool into a stoggy mush it can also vastly lighten ( make white) the area thats treated.
Also it is best used vry hot and when the carpet is dry and works on drying so takes 4 - 12 hour bfore you see results,however seed drying can accelorate this and act as a catalyst.
Also it has a very short life so once it is made up it should be used then as anyhing left till the next day will be spent.