Stain Resistant Carpet

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About 30 years ago, Dupont developed a treatment for nylon fiber that resisted staining, from acid dyes. (Fruit juices, cold food, pet food etc.) Nylon and wool is usually acid dyed and will absorb, some, acid dyes we don't want!

Until, stain resist treatments, nylon fiber was positively charged (cationic). The stain resistant finish turned it into a negatively (anionic) charged fiber. Cationic chemicals, like most water damage bactericides and olefin presprays, can, negatively, affect the stain resistant treatment. Cationic spotters or presprays could leave the fiber non stain resist. 

High pH can also decrease the effectiveness of the stain resist fiber. A pH of 10 or below is a nice guideline to follow. Besides being cationic, olefin presprays are, usually, around 11 pH. Dye manufacturers, also prefer the pH be kept at 10 or below as higher can break down the dye, after a number of cleanings.  High pH can, also, take elasticity out of fiber….over repeated cleanings.

A seriously soiled carpet, especially oily soil, can negatively affect carpet dyes and stain resist treatments.

If a stain resistant carpet is badly soiled, the stain resist chemical could be deteriorated.  Even if it still works, you will be forced to do this CARPET CLEANING with a heavy duty, high pH prespray and rinse. This is not your fault. The customer has forced your hand. You have no choice.

Stain resist treatment has proven to be tough. It holds up well. Soil repellent, the other part of a modern, residential carpet treatment, is worn off through the friction of walking. Carpet Mills recommend re application of the, fluorochemical, soil repellent on a regular basis.

Bridgepoint Maxim, is a fluorochemical, soil repellent, that also has some stain resist chemical in it to help the stain resist treatment stay affective.