Why Do My Spots Keep Coming Back?

Have you ever leaned a spot on your carpet and had it return? Have you had your carpet cleaned and had the spots just come right back and why does that happen?

There are two reasons spots return:

1. The first reason is wicking. Many times the spot has seeped into the backing of the carpet. This is common with pet urine, beverages and anything that is spilled in "volume". The material dries in the baking and the cushion (pad) of the carpet. When the spot is cleaned, only the material in the "pile" of the carpet is removed. However, moisture is introduced into the backing of the carpet. As the spot dries, the material in the backing of the carpet wicks back into the pile.

Even traffic area soil that is embedded can wick back. This is especially common in glue down carpet that is heavily compacted with soil. When the carpet is cleaned, it looks good. When it dries, the spots and traffic areas come back.

The good news is that if a spot does wick back, it can be removed. When spot cleaning, place a folded white terry cloth towel over the spot just after you clean it while the spot is still moist. Place a heavy object on top of the cloth.

When you have your carpet cleaned professionally, be sure to point out spots that have wicked back in the past, so they can be treated properly.

2. The second reason spots return is re-soiling. Re-soiling is caused by a sticky residue that has been left behind. The residue may be from the spot itself, the cleaner that was used, or both.

Some common residue causes are over-the-counter carpet cleaners purchased at the grocery store. Avoid using these cleaners altogether. If you have to use one of these cleaners, or you have to use dishwashing detergent, use as little as possible and rinse with water thoroughly.

Other residue causes include oily spots: duct tape residue, body oils, lotions etc. If the entire oily residue is not removed, it will attract soil as the carpet is walked on. Even quality professional carpet cleaning may not remove all oily residue the first time.

SPECIAL NOTE: Cheap carpet cleaners use cheap products that are loaded with optical brighteners. Optical brighteners create an illusion of clean that causes the soil or spot to appear or be removed. The spot is still there. The soil is still there. Optical brighteners create a film that reflects light so the carpet looks incredibly lean. It's an optical illusion.

A stark illustration of this can be seen at a flea market or home show. Someone will be demonstrating a miracle cleaner on a small rug. The rug is saturated with motor oil and the salesman then scoops off just the foam of the miracle cleaner and presto, the motor oil is gone! This is physically impossible. Notice that the salesman has several bright lights shining on the demo rug to create the illusion.