October 2004

Q: There is a spot in my family room that cleans up beautifully, but within days it starts to reappear. What is it?

A: This type of spot is very common and is called a number of things. Wicking or ghost spots are the most common names.

There are a few causes for such spots. Typically it is a spilt beverage. The liquid penetrates the carpet and spreads into the underlay. When a cleaner works on the carpet and isn't aware of the extent of the problem, or doesn't understand cleaning principles, the spot can return as the carpet is drying. This process can be arrested by neutralizing the carpet with rinse agents after cleaning, and not flooding the area.

Another common cause is inadequate rinsing of a spot. If a spill is cleaned up with a residual cleaner, that cleaning agent will stay on the carpet and continue to do its job. But it will be cleaning off shoes, feet, the pets on so on. This type of spot will appear darker and darker as time progresses. Quite often this sort of spot will involve polypropelene carpets. These fibres do not absorb water, allowing the process of evaporation to pull liquids to the top of the carpet easily. For ei, if a spill of glue or paint was cleaned with mineral spirits, the spirits in turn would have to be rinsed off the carpet. If not, they would start to attract soiling themselves.

These are just two common issues that can cause spots to wick after cleaning. If you have just had your carpets professionally cleaned and notice that some have returned, call your carpet cleaner right away. A service oriented firm will want to address your concerns. Be prepared to allow access to the area. Given the right conditions, wicking can happen regardless of the type of cleaning method used.

The rule of thumb for returning mystery spots is, if they will disappear during cleaning, they are not likely permanent. The trick is to find out why they show up and deal with the source of the problem.

Wicking is just one reason why clients of carpet cleaners with independently verified credentials are happier with the services they receive. Be sure the carpet cleaner you trust with your home is a certified technician.

If you would like more information, please feel welcome to call
Les Graham - Graham's Carpet Cleaning
(403) 952-0318
IICRC certified
Master Textile Cleaner
Master Restoration Tech