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Filtration marks are those irritating black
lines which appear around the edges of rooms, in doorways and in odd
clusters about six inches in from the skirting. They are caused by
dust particles, invisible in the air, being drawn through the carpet
fibres by draughts from beneath the skirting boards or between the
floorboards. The isolated clusters may simply be the result of a
missing tuft or where the carpet fitter’s knee kicker has punctured
the carpet backing.
Prevention and Cure:
For a long-term solution and to prevent
further staining the gaps between the skirting board and the
floorboards need to be filled with either a mastic type sealant or
wide masking tape. In the short term cleaning by a professional
cleaning company may be able to improve the visual effect of the
staining. Results will depend on the severity of the staining and
the length of time the contamination has been there. Joints in
floorboards should be taped up and a lining paper placed over the
top prior to the underlay being re-laid.
For the smaller more isolated areas, the
carpet will have to be lifted in those areas and a latex glue
sealant (Copydex) applied to the backing. If these marks are dealt
with as soon as they are seen, a professional cleaning company will
probably be able to effect a satisfactory removal.
Filtration marking, draught marking, fog
marking are all terms used to describe the appearance of these
unsightly marks. The staining can become quite intense as the carpet
fibres filter out the greasy pollutants from the draught of air
passing through them under pressure. As the marks are commencing at
the base of the fibres it is here that the staining is darkest and
more difficult to remove.
It is not unknown for stains to appear three
to four feet (approx one metre) from the edge of the room. In such
cases soil has blown under the skirting travelled the voids between
the underlay and carpet until it finds an escape point. Dirt can
also be blown up through the gaps in floorboard causing linier
staining across the carpet. Uneven wooden floors sometimes have
sheet hardboard nailed over the top, the joints in the hardboard
overlay should also be sealed as the draughts will find the gaps and
allow the air to pass through the carpet above.
Trying to remove this form of staining is
very time-consuming because of it’s intensity. It requires the use
of specialist products to break down the grease which is bonding to
the fibres. Agitation can cause the carpet pile to burst and look
unsightly. This is why the removal process should be carried out
carefully and methodically. The area has to be thoroughly rinsed and
neutralised to remove detergent residues following the removal
process.
Contact your local NCCA member via our
website under ‘Find a Member’.
‘Steam Machines’ May Ruin Soft Furnishings
A spokesperson for the National Carpet
Cleaners Association warns that they are receiving calls from
distraught members of the public who are using 'steam machines' on
upholstery fabrics. These machines can be purchased from many of the
retail chain stores in the country and before you use one you should
read the instructions carefully as damage caused may not be covered
under your household insurance.
In just one week a member of the Association
has reported three separate incidents where he has been called in to
rectify the damage, which is impossible to do. In each case the
fabric has been a "Dralon" style and the pile has been badly
distorted and heat set into the new position. The appearance of the
damaged fabric after this type of cleaning process is heartbreaking
and costly in recovering or replacement.
The intense heat generated by these machines
can also affect carpets too. The yarn in twist pile carpets is heat
set during manufacture and the twists can come unwound when
subjected to this style of cleaning leaving the carpet looked very
old and the pile felted.
Next to the house and the car the soft
furnishings in the home are the most expensive items we purchase.
Don't put them at risk by trying to clean them, get a professional
cleaning company, preferably a
member of the NCCA, to do the job properly and safely.
 By
Ken Wainwright
The most important tool available to the
householder for effective soil removal from their carpets is the
vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately, nobody is ever taught how to use
these machines effectively, so most people end up pushing the
machine backwards and forwards until the carpet "looks clean".
Your first consideration must always be "What
type of vacuum cleaner should I buy?"
There are two basic types:
All machines should have their bags and
filters changed or cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer.
The majority of carpet manufacturers will
recommend the upright type of machine for all of their carpets
except for looped wool or shag styles of pile.
The pure suction type of vacuum cleaner
requires a lot of physical energy by the user in order to be
effective. An aggressive forwards and backwards action over the
carpet is required. You will have to make the decision as to whether
the adjustable brush strip within the tool head should be retracted
or lowered. The lowered brush will be more effective, but may damage
the carpet yarn.
The upright machine has a powered roller
brush/beater which performs most of the cleaning action for minimal
physical effort. The popular quick backwards and forwards action
with any vacuum cleaner merely removes litter from the surface. On a
day to day basis, this will be sufficient to produce a clean-looking
carpet. However, there is much more that can be achieved.
Our advice is to use the following technique
once a week in addition to the daily "Litter Pick" technique
described above. Move the vacuum cleaner in a straight line forwards
at a steady speed. Then pull the machine backwards over the same
area at a slightly slower rate. Make sure that you cover the whole
of the carpeted area with this method of vacuuming.
Work first one way down the full length of
the room, when you have covered all the area, repeat the process
across the whole width of the carpet. This procedure will produce
maximum soil removal, but will also lift the carpets pile,
minimising the process of pile flattening, and maximising the
carpets appearance. An added benefit of this more intense vacuuming
procedure is that you will also reduce many indoor allergens which
are trapped within the carpet. The use of a machine with a HEPA
filter, and the opening of the room's windows will further enhance
this benefit.
Finally, with all vacuum cleaner types, once
a week, use the crevice tool to vacuum the edges of the carpet and
tight in to rarely moved items of furniture. Not only will this
enhance your carpets appearance, but also minimise the likelihood of
carpet moths or carpet beetles establishing themselves.
A well cared for carpet will have an extended
life expectancy and, just as importantly, will enhance your interior
décor for many years.
The NCCA is an association of professionally
trained carpet and soft furnishing cleaners. Your local member will
usually be happy to give you free ‘first aid’ advice, on dealing
with stains, over the telephone. If that fails then you may have to
arrange for them to come to your home with some specialist treatment
and equipment to deal with the residual staining.
You can contact an NCCA member by:
- Looking in your local Yellow Pages
- Call the NCCA office for companies in your local area on: 0116
2719550
- Or visit the NCCA website under ‘find a cleaner’:
www.ncca.co.uk
carpets - upholstery - curtains - floods - fire - trauma - commercial - public
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