[carpet_bright]

I have job to clean a carpet that has a trail of cooking oil over it  which was spilt when the customer took out the rubbish. It has been there for about a week and the usual cenario of the customer trying to clean (RUB) away but no success.
It is a synthetic carpet, probably polypropylene and wondered if anyone has a recommended cleaning agent?
Thought of using an enzyme prespray to try and digest the stains?  :-/

[Cloverleaf]

I would use a high ph degreaser (ph13), this is usually ok on polyprop, it will get rid of grease or oil no problem, or try Prochem Citrus Gel but always test or be very carefull on wool.
John

[Fox]

why not try the old remedy - brown paper and an iron - of course you are going to have to clean the carpet afterwards and use a chemical to suit but you would have at least taken some of the oil out.

[Dynafoam]

why not try the old remedy - brown paper and an iron - of course you are going to have to clean the carpet afterwards and use a chemical to suit but you would have at least taken some of the oil out.

Hot iron on polypropylene for vegetable oil?

Although carpet_bright appears to be a relative newcommer to carpet cleaning, he would be better off with his own inclination of taking the enzyme route.

Citrus gell would also work (a bit expensive for  a long trail) as would most of the limonene products or a good TLC, One Step etc., so why risk collateral damage?

No offense intended,

John.

[Derek]

Hi

Polypropylene has the lowest melting point of all the man-made fibres so be careful when using high temperatures.

Vegetable oil which has penetrated through to the backing will, more than likely, wick back to the surface at some point which may result in another visit.

Polypropylene is a derivative of oil and therefore attracts oil based materials...if hot when spilled the vegetable oil may have caused permanent staining.

Derek

[carpet_bright]

Thanks for your comments so far guys

Yes I am relatively new to carpet cleaning, now about 12 months. The oil in question was cold when spilt but it may have travelled to the carpet backing as the customer has tried to clean it up herself. She said she did try to BLOT out first of all - hmmmmm?
Perhaps I'll stick to the hot water and enzyme route to start with. Think the iron may be a bit risky on polyprop. but I am happy to take advise.

Regards - Paul (relatively newbie!)

[Ken Wainwright]

Paul

Whatever you use for this type of soiling will probably be of an elevated pH. It is important for various reasons to neutralise afterwards, whether in your rinse solution or as a post cleaning spray on treatment. If it's a low profile carpet (the usual type in kitchens which is where I presume this carpet is), it may be advantageous to bonnet mop/dry the carpet after cleaning to reduce the drying time and enhance the cleaning.

[acleanerplace]

may i suggest bonnet mopping the floor wth a ph agent then roto wash te remove final ol trail rotowash will lift final bits of oil

mike collins

anything else dont hesitate to ask

[HolmansUKLTD]

Hi all,

I used to work for insurance companies and this was quite a common claim. i would use a citrus base product followed by pre-spraying A217 ultra pac renovate this is the best product fot polyprop (it even says that on the label!!) follow up with an acid rinse fibre and fabric for instance :

[celeste]

Hi there

I also need some advice about cooking oil.

A tenant has spilt a pan of hot cooking oil on the kitchen carpet, its a high quality short pile carpet, I suspect its hessian backed.

They made no attempt to clear it up and it has now dried forming a hard white residue on the carpet measuring approx 13 x 10cms.

Does anyone know whether this will come out of the carpet if professionally cleaned and what are the chances of the hot oil damaging the carpet fibres and backing?

This is part of a very complicated check out/delapidations and I have to decide whether to try the cleaning route first or just have the section of carpet replaced.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

[paul@ctcs]

Celeste,

Hot oil will have caused damage in one way or another
Sounds like the Synthetic fibres may have fused together, hence the area being hard.

Paul

[Ken Wainwright]

Celeste

I had something similar earlier this year and posted some pictures on CleanTalk. The polyprop carpet tiles had significant heat damage at the point of impact, and the oil had been left and tracked through the house over 2 years Due to the gentlemans poor health, it was imperative that the carpets were dried quickly. I used Dry Fusion with outstanding results. Using solvents risks damage to the carpets construction so be wary.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[paul@ctcs]

Carpet Bright,

The trail of cooking oil you need to remove would be no problem for solutions number 2 Heavy Duty, this is high alkaline but neutralises when dry.
Simply pre spray with a 10/1 (rich) ratio mixed with hot water, then aggitate thoroughly and extract with a fresh water mix.

Paul

[celeste]

Thanks for the replies 

I have been back to the property and upon closer inspection the carpet fibres have indeed fused together so the only option now is to replace the affected area.

I've just joined this forum as I'm a professional inventory clerk and have been searching for a forum like this for ages! 

It's great to see so many professional cleaners coming together and offering one another advice, I shall certainly come here for advice again when I have cleaning issues... keep up the good work!