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Robert Erickson's personal tips and help guide for the Handyman
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This page is my attempt to gather information, links, etc for all who are interested in home improvement. Please feel free to e-mail me at: roberterickson7@hotmail.com with NEW articles, links etc. Check back with this site often as I will update it as often as I can. Enjoy the web site!
Home Improvement - UPHOLSTERY - IDENTIFYING MYSTERIOUS STAINS
Identifying Mysterious Stains on Textile Furnishings
Mysterious spots (changes in color) on carpets,
upholstery, or other textiles in house may come from
spills of common household chemicals. These spots cannot
be reversed. These chemicals react with the textile dyes.
The color change may develop slowly, even months later,
and may only show up after exposure to dampness
(humidity, washing, cleaning), sunlight, or warmth
triggers a chemical reaction.
Chemical Discoloration is Permanent! Spots Won't Come
Out! After chemicals have changed dye, neither you nor a
professional cleaner can "take out a spot" and restore
color. Prevent such spots by being careful in using any
chemicals in the home, and trying to wipe up any spills
at once. READ THE LABEL ON CHEMICALS (cleaners, polishes,
medicines, cosmetics, pesticides, plant food, etc.) and
follow directions for application and use, especially any
cautions or warnings given! If a spill occurs, follow
label directions for removal.
Some of the chemicals that are frequently the cause
of mysterious color spots are:
Benzoyl Peroxide--Yellow or Orange Spots: This strong
bleaching chemical is used in acne medications, age
creams, some foot care products, and some pet shampoos.
It's not water soluble and hard to wash off hands and
face. Spots may show up in hours or not until months
later depending on temperature and humidity. Most spots
start as orange or dark yellow, and get lighter over
time. On blue carpets they may be pinkish or white.
Bleaches--Yellow or Green: Oxygen bleaches act more
slowly then chlorine bleach but both will fade dyes. So
will swimming pool chemicals (calcium hypochlorite)
tracked into the home, and mildew inhibitors that contain
bleach if not used according to directions. Chlorine
usually causes yellow spots, but will turn some red dyes
to green.
Acids--Pink or orange spots on carpets are caused by as
little as 1% hydrochloric acid in solution. Stomach acid
is 10% stomach acid, so vomit must be cleaned up promptly
and neutralized with a mild alkali such as a detergent
solution and rinsed, or there will be permanent colored
spots. It can turn some red dyes to bright blue.
Toilet bowl cleaners, corn and callus removers, tile
cleaners, and some rust removers also contain acids.
Strong acids can cause red spots on tan/beige carpets.
Alkalis--Strong alkali as lye in oven cleaners and drain
cleaners can change colors, and also destroy the textile.
Remove, then neutralize spot with white vinegar solution,
and rinse.
Furniture Polish--This can destroy red carpet dyes and
cause green or blue spots. This usually happens where
polish has gotten on carpet around the base of furniture
by careless spraying or wiping, and is not found until
furniture is moved.
Insecticides--Spraying insecticides on baseboards and
getting the insecticide on the carpet can fade carpet
dyes. Most often cited in this are malathion, diazinon,
and DDVP.
Phenol Disinfectants--Some, not all, phenols in
disinfectants and germicides, fade carpets. Some bathroom
cleaners contain phenols; read label.
Plant Foods--Yellow Spills of liquid plant foods or
leakage from house plants can discolor carpet. Spots are
usually dull yellow. They start down near the backing and
develop up into the pile, sometimes taking months to show
up.
Urine--Urine stains discolor carpet and upholstery, as
well as causing a musty odor. Spots turn dull yellow or
red.
Clues to Source of Spots
1) Where is it Found?
2) What products could have been spilled, sprayed, or
rubbed off there?
3) Shape of Stain?
If spilled, spreads out like an explosion, usually
spreads out below surface as in carpet backing. If
tracked in from other room, usually a footprint shape,
and on surface as tops of carpet pile.
4) Odor?
If spot smells different than rest of carpet, something
was spilled there; odor may be a clue.
5) Color?
Colors suggested above may be clue to substance spilled
or tracked.
From the Georgia
Extension bulletin, How to Care for Carpets and Rugs, the
Hoover Company, Nebraska Extension bulletin Carpet Care -
Cleaning and Stain Removal, the Carpet and Rug Institute,
Allied Fibers and Plastics Inc. and DuPont Clean Up
Carpeting bulletin.
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