Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MAX Carpets on May 13, 2009, 08:10:40 pm

Title: What is this??
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 13, 2009, 08:10:40 pm

This the third time I have seen this. Upon cleaning a white, cotton suite today tiny little black dots appear, it looks like some kind of bugs or eggs. As I said this is the third time I have seen this. just wondered if anyone else has seen this.

Cheers

J

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: kinder clean on May 13, 2009, 08:13:39 pm

Over the entire suite or just small areas ? Its not black ink thats being pulled through is it ?

Paul

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: davep on May 13, 2009, 08:15:26 pm

Look at the cushions under the fabric, is there a code written on them in black marker?

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: tony harrison on May 13, 2009, 08:24:41 pm

When cotton is wet it is slightly translucent and what you are seeing is probably the packing/stuffing showing through.

When it dries out you should not see it.

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Steve Chapman on May 13, 2009, 10:57:28 pm

pure white cotton has natural seeds in which if become over wet can start to bleed in the fabric, hence

the little black dots, the key is not to wet too much and dry very quickly, nearly always it will disappear

if you assist the drying.

regards
steve

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 14, 2009, 08:10:53 am

Sorry guys, none of these because the dots ......move! They are some kind of tiny bug.

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: robert meldrum on May 14, 2009, 08:33:18 am

White cotton suites were notorious in the past as there was tar in the cotton and solvents had to be avoided. Or did I dream this ?

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: Bob Robertson on May 14, 2009, 08:38:54 am

You should try and look at them through a microscope. This would give you a better idea of what it is.


Bob

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: robert meldrum on May 14, 2009, 09:31:03 am

Only time I've come accross " bugs " has been in carpeting, usually where there's been poor hygiene and months of food droppings have caused little scaly beetles to appear.

This was very common in flats occupied by Asian families ( don't know why )but one of the reasons we stopped working certain areas.

If there's something living in the fabric it needs de loused before attempting to clean. I'd inform the customer of your findings and either offer to carry out the deinfestation as a separate chargeble task or tell them it's not something you do and walk.

A bit odd that you've come accross this several times when most of us have probably never experienced the phenomenon.

Be interesting to know the outcome.

Getting rid of bugs isn't difficult , but the client might not be prepared to pay for the work.

Title: Re: What is this??
Post by: MAX Carpets on May 14, 2009, 12:13:14 pm

Robert I did offer this service each time, but the custys all prefered to dump the suites. This is 3rd time in 21 yrs I must add.