[scott.]

I regularly nick bits of carpets from the communal bins, where i live, and i try to get the lightest ones i can. Got a beige one the other day, and poured black coffee over it...and red wine.I do this regular, to test different stain removers...red rx is amazing stuff...but prochems coffee stain remover has little effect on the coffee stains..im aware of the limited results of water based stains, but ...is there a product that will get better results?...the stain barley shifted...or is it me

[Ian Gourlay]

Ive had good results with ALLTECS Coffee stain remover. If you are going to CARPEX try to get a free a sample.

Does anyone know of companies that will send samples on request.

[Dynafoam]

Scott,

I have had good results from the Prochem product on coffee, tea and red wine and it is normally the first product tried in these.

For stains that do not respond I progress to more aggressive chemicals/techniques, but strongly subscribe to the principal of starting 'mild' rather that bringing out the big guns strait away.

[scott.]

ah...but what are the " big guns" john? Do you use an air compesser, like the guy on ebay Ive heard of alltec, however a lot of the stockists around where i am, havnt..surely all the coffee stain removers contain similar agents?
The impression that i get about alltec, is that theyre some kind of clandestine movement...and their products are harder to find than bin laden

[Dynafoam]

Scott,

The big guns, generally are products based an the reagent sodium metabisulphite (reducing agents).

Chemspec offer Spray'N'Go, Coffee Mate, Rx Tea and Coffee Stain Remover and most major manufactures produce similar or the raw reagent is obtainable from high street chemists, home brewing stockists etc.

An interim product worth trying is Prochem B175 Browning prescription, which use to contain a small amount of sodium metabisulphite  but is still effective against medium-grade staining.

Yet another (extreme) route is oxidisation.

[SMP]

What sort of products (e.g brand and name) are oxidisers John?

Thanks

[scott.]

I think john means something like prochems' B151 oxibrite...which is an oxidising bleach which produces controlled bleaching, for white, off white and pastel colours..last resort treatment.


john, where can we get the stuff youve mentioned?

[scott.]

sorry john...you already did tell us

[Dynafoam]

Steve,

Apart from branded products such as the one mentioned by Scott, there are also generic sources of oxygen that we can use for bleaching.

Best known and most readily sourced is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the action of which can be boosted by the addition of a small quantity of ammonia. Scott correctly termed oxidisation as a last resort solution, and it is certainly one where experience should be gained on sample pieces before use on a customers property.

[scott.]

john

Is the sodium metabisulphate that you mention above, the stuff you'd chuck into beer, to stop it fermenting further? If so, how would you use it, in relation to stains?.....and....are you saying that prochems browning agent is the same as their coffee stain remover, with added sodium metabisulphate?

sorry about all the questions..we're learning something new every day.

[Dynafoam]

Scott

Sodium metabisulphite is a general purpose reagent that performs many functions in industry. one of its' applications is the sterilisation of wine and beer brewing vessels. It certainly would stop fermentation by killing yeast.

In our industry it is used as a reducing agent, which is especially effective against a range of tannin/cellulostic discolouration staining. Though it can be used in its' 'raw' state, I am loathe to advocate its' use to an unknown audience, preferring to recommend the use of a branded formulation, with care and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.

Some cautionary notes:

The fumes emitted can cause bronchial irritation, but when mixed with an acid, the fumes are toxic.

Its' action is boosted by heat and care has to be taken in regard to the amount of heat used - I have seen wool fibre turned to jelly by sufficient heat applied to produce sulphuric acid.]

It will also reduce other dyes. When using any product containing this reagent, especially when using with heat (eg thermal transfer), its' effects should be constantly monitored for the loss of native dyes. As I have said before, experience in its' use should be gained on practise pieces before application in the field.

Prochem B175 did contain this substance until its' reformulation a few years ago and I believe I am correct in saying that it does not feature in any of their product range.