[derek west]

just done a survey for someone who's moving into a house next week,
white 80-20 wool carpet.
where the settee has been there is what i reckon to be sock and slipper dye transfer from there feet shuffling around as they sit on the sofa, what chemical would give me the best result on this, not expecting to get it all out but if i can fade it, that'll do. theres also an orange stain from a spilt drink. i usually use pre spray gold with fib fab rinse so that'll be ok for the general soilage, but whats good to pre treat the aforementioned before i extract with fib fab or clearwater rinse.
derek

[gwrightson]

Derick,
Are you sure it is dye transfer and not just traffic lane dirt?
geoff

[markpowell]

Derek,
I would use powerburst hot pre-spray on the bad areas and rinse with fab + fibre, you may have traffic areas where the pile has been laid flat and the light reflects off the pile at different angles looking like soiling, make sure you qualify this before the clean because once you remove the soil it may be more noticable!
Mark

[derek west]

not 100% geoff but its only in front of the settee, usually its in through the door as well when its soilage, and it looks darker than usual soilage. but i could be wrong.
derek

[Jim_77]

This is where you could do with a microscope

It might be the case that it's not dirt or dye at all, merely tiny fibres of sock material that have become entangled in the carpet fibres.  Not a chemical answer to that, so may be worth getting as close a look as you can to see if you can confirm this either way, before you blast it needlessly weith oodles of high pH products

I've had reasonable results on sock fibre patches using a rotary and bonnet, and also more recently with a minitex.  Microscopically, the fibres of the bonnet are more "jaggedy" than the fibres of the carpet, a bit like pulling fluff off your jumper with a bit of velcro.

You'll also find this problem more on 100% polypropylene, as the fibres shear into a much more spiky shape than wool or nylon, a bit like lots of tiny bramble branches all ripping bits of softer cotton/nylon out of the socks.

I advise customers to wear slippers, pipe is optional!

[Kev Loomes]

Jim's right, sock fibres are extemely common and can quickly be determined by getting on your knees (we refer to this condition as 'black sock syndrome'). I would personally use a good magnifying glass to determine this and explain to custy that it will still be prominent after cleaning.

I have seen hundreds of 80/20's afflicted by this problem aswell as polyprops.

[Paul Davidson]

Jim's right, sock fibres are extemely common and can quickly be determined by getting on your knees (we refer to this condition as 'black sock syndrome'. I would personally use a good magnifying glass to determine this and explain to custy that it will still be prominent after cleaning.

I have seen hundreds of 80/20's afflicted by this problem aswell as polyprops.

Black Sock Syndrome!!!.......................Fantastic, Kev you just cheered my night up no end!!!

[Kev Loomes]

LOL! It sounds quite technical when explaining to custys

[Jim_77]

Hahah that gives me an idea Kev, next time I see this I'm going to look all serious and tell the customer it's HDD.

"Hosiery Depletion Disorder"

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Jim

Thank you for your explanation.

Another hole in my limited knowledge filled. And more particularly an easy to understand explanation to impart to my customers.

Roger

[Shaun_Ashmore]

What if it's rubber soled carpet slippers?

Shaun

[derek west]

its ok guys, emailed prochem and theyve told me how to do it if it is dye transfer.
derek

[Gerry Styles]

Derek

Will you share that with us

[derek west]

yes gerry, i will indeed share it with you, and its in southern so no need to reach for ya bristol english dictionary, i'll cut and paste it on the next one,
derek

[derek west]

Hi Derek,
 
If that really is dye and not drink spillages you could try Red RX. This is basically a dye remover. Apply to stained areas (sparingly) work in with a spatula then place a damp white terry towel over the area and apply a hot iron to the towel for a few seconds. Repeat being careful not to let the soiled part of the towel touch the carpet. This will draw the dye out. Only to be used on pale or white/cream carpet as it can also draw out the carpet dye. Pre-test in an inconspicuous area.
 
For the food and drink stains you should use Stain Pro and extract out with Fibre and Fabric Rinse to neutralise.
 
Stain removal is not always successful on wool carpets as they are very absorbent.
 
Good luck.

[Gerry Styles]

Derek

Thanks Mate, understood it all

Gerry

[derek west]

no worries gerry me old china.
pleased to be of service to ya
derek

[Jim_77]

No probs Roger

Shaun, I'd beat them to death with the bloody slippers!