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The Cleaning Professor

Keep up-to-date on what it takes to learn the absolute best technical skills with carpet and furniture cleaning, spot and stain removal and color repair.

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What do I do with this recurring spot???

10/23/2015

12 Comments

 
Question:

I seem to be having a problem (recurring) with some spots on a light grey nylon carpet. The initial problem was when the roofers got some tar stains on the carpet and I cleaned the spots with POG. Unfortunately for me the spots went away and I was left with what appeared to be a residue stain. I used an acid rinse with hot water used a portable extractor. Hot water was used from a coffee machine. This worked for a bit but the dark spots came back. I then used my extractor with hot water only no chemicals, and lo and behold they returned. I spoke with my supplier and they said that I might still have some residue from the tar. The fibers are dry and their is no evidence of any residue. I tried to use an oxidizer again no luck. What would you recommend for my next step.

Solution:

You’ve done quite a bit with this spot… good to see the dedication! The next step? There are several other things you can do, but for me, I’d try a good gel solvent with lots of flushing. Has to be residue if the spot is gone but then returns darker, like it is attracting soils over a period of a few days.
 
I’ve found that POG works well but does often leave a residue. And sometimes, as your supplier contact indicates, there could be some residual tar remaining as well. Either way, another cleaning is warranted and you need to ensure you remove all the tar plus any greasy, soil attracting residue. So while you could use a volatile dry spotter, I recommend a gel that will flush out with super-hot water and detergent.
 
Try that, and after cleaning, put a little encapsulant spotter on it, according to directions. It will limit resoiling. Or, if you don’t do that, put a white, disposable cotton towel on the damp spot and put a weight on it, like a gallon milk jug with water in it, so any recurring spotting substance or residue might go into the towel.

Even better? Do both - the encapsulant spotter plus the weighted towel (also referred to as a "poultice".)
 
Let me know how it goes…

The Cleaning Professor

12 Comments
Fred Geyen
10/27/2015 08:47:25 am

We have also found an old cleaner that really works well on reoccurring spots and stains in a commercial setting for I guess it for the residential as well. Using post has become a miracle product for us because we can see immediately if we got it out and it comes out and if it's out when we leave it's gone because it's dry already.

Reply
Andy Radke link
3/14/2016 11:38:14 am

Thanks for the great information Jeff. Your articles are extremely informative and I take away a little extra knowledge with every one. It is amazing how sometimes a spot comes up that is so stubborn its next to impossible to get rid of. Everything outlined above should definitely take care of any recurring spots. Once again thanks for your informative articles

Reply
Jesse link
4/28/2016 05:19:13 pm

Thanks for the awesome article. This information is invaluable and everyone should keep it in mind. I always tell my customers that they when they use the soap, they are asking for trouble with the recurring issues.

Reply
Shaun Smithson link
8/17/2016 03:38:46 pm

This is a great read and some very relevant tips. Recurring spots are definitely a challenge and not to mention frustrating to deal with for many people. Thanks for sharing this information.

Reply
Fritz Rench link
8/17/2016 05:19:55 pm

Fred Geyen wrote "post" for the product name.
I believe he meant HOST (dry extraction).
And he's spot-on, as they say. No wick-back with
HOST because it absorbs the soil as it's loosened...
that is, portions of the suspended soil (in the Sponges)
are not allowed to wash down into the yarn system to the backing...from whence they would wick to the surface during a drying cycle.

Reply
Steve link
12/8/2016 05:37:44 am

Really good post with relevant tips. Thanks for the valuable information.

Reply
Matthew Macnab link
2/21/2017 07:56:24 am

We use a volatile dry spotter, and also recommend a gel that will flush out with super-hot water. Usually does the trick for us!

Great article...thanks!

Reply
Brent link
2/21/2017 09:43:09 am

Thanks for the great information Jeff. Your articles are extremely informative and I visit often without saying thanks. So thank you sir for improving the internet with such awesome content!

Reply
Russ Grosjean link
6/27/2017 05:46:24 am

We too have found that POG works well but does often leave a residue. We simply apply more hot water to flush it out.

Reply
David link
10/11/2017 05:07:01 pm

We like to use citrus based cleaning products, not only are they environmentally friendly but they work great on deep stains.

Reply
Omar Brown link
10/27/2017 09:59:26 pm

The POG works pretty good. We really have not found a better solution. I would agree though, like others have said, that it does often leave a residue. We simply apply more hot water to flush it out.

Reply
Robert Swanson link
10/20/2022 06:41:03 pm

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    Jeff Cross...

    ... is the executive editor of Cleanfax.com and an IICRC-approved instructor. His goal is to help cleaning and restoration technicians to become the best in the industry. He can be reached at (740)973-4236 or by email (click here)

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