Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mike Osbourne on January 03, 2008, 02:29:49 pm

Title: suite and sour
Post by: Mike Osbourne on January 03, 2008, 02:29:49 pm
I was contented over the holiday season knowing I'd had a fair old December for me and 3 fair jobs booked for first week back.

By yesterday two had cancelled (one cold one still abroad)

Not to worry I thought had a sofa to do today. BUT did the inspection pre Christmas and was told previous chap had made a hash of it. It was a cotton with light cream, colour floral design.

Apparently it had run but he came back and 'fixed' it. I saw no evidence of a problem but made a big meal out of testing back of cushion, Fabric rest, agitate, dwell acid rinse bone dry with hair dryer. All colours fine.

Anyway today I clean it, tested again! Then cleaned with major effort to dry. CFR hand tool, loads of dry passes, toweled blower.

Then I notice a light green plant stems gone yellow! They looked like bleach splashes.

They aren't obvious thanks to the design, but I know it's there.

To me it's like he's used a felt tip pen to recolour these areas and when I've cleaned it it's come straight out.

If custy rings up, can I re dye these areas? Or any other suggestions?

   

 
Title: Re: suite and sour
Post by: *paul_moss on January 03, 2008, 04:55:43 pm
Mike yes and no.
The alarm bells should have rang with this one and I would have walked I think. If its cotton then a fabric marker will colour it back for you, you can get them from most fabric type shops around a tenner each,but you have to be quite skilfull with your art work  :o steady hand and all that. Once done the colour needs to be set via heat, you can use an iron for this, again test first on a back or underneath area first.The other guy has prob done the same trick after the last clean but not set the dye afterwards.
Title: Re: suite and sour
Post by: Ian Rochester on January 03, 2008, 05:00:41 pm
Woolworths do some kids felt pens, 50 various colours for £1.99  ;D
Title: Re: suite and sour
Post by: Doug Holloway on January 03, 2008, 05:12:04 pm
Hi Mike

It could be a pH sensitive dye which can be turned back by dabbing with neat acid rinse, I would certainly try this before anything else.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: suite and sour
Post by: Ken Wainwright on January 03, 2008, 05:31:24 pm
If it is a pH sensitive dye, and, as stated, an acid rinse has already been used, the chances are that a treatment of Sodium Bicarbonate in solution is more likely to return the original colour.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Title: Re: suite and sour
Post by: Mike Osbourne on January 03, 2008, 05:32:01 pm
LOL there was a voice saying walk away walk away. I thought I had a fool proof system. ;D

Tried neat acid rinse on one of the blotches Doug, no joy.

Will have to invest in some pens if I get the call then Paul.

Deinately bad judgement call on my part, but I am learning.  

Ian: They are even cheaper in the Woolies January sale. ;D