Spotting Chemicals

Acetic Acid 7%: Good for neutralizing alkalinity, reducing yellowing.

Ammonia 7% : Good for neutralizing acidity, after using rust remover, floor waxes.

Citric Acid: Stabilizes dyes, reduces yellowing.

Enzyme Detergent: Helps in the removal of protein-type stains such as eggs, gravy, feces, gelatin, etc.

Gel-Based Spot Remover: Removes chewing gum, grease, tar and ink.

Gel-Based Spot Remover Plus: Removes chewing gum, grease, tar, ink, etc.

Heavy-Duty Pre Spray and Soil Remover Plus: Designed to emulsify and remove soils and stains. Will take out iodine and betadine stains.

Neutral Detergent: A good all-round rinse agent with neutral pH.

Paint, Oil, and Grease Remover: For removal of oil-based stains such as lipstick, nail polish, ink, tar, oxidized oils (old, dried-out), dry paint spots (latex, oil-based, enamel), floor waxes, crayon, latex glue, indelible ink.

Reducing Agent: For removing browning and coffee stains. Reduces water marks. For use on coffee, tea, cola, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices, mixed drinks. Counteracts chlorine bleach.

Enzyme Detergent Protein materials or foodstuffs such as gravy, starch, blood, feces, egg, milk, ice cream, urine, vomit.

Reducing Agent Plus: For removing dyes that have bled into white or other colors. Acid dyes (particularly red), Kool-aid, red wine, mercurochrome, merthiolate, some inks, mustard dye, marking pen , furniture stain.

Rust Remover: For removal of rust stains. Always neutralize with ammonia and rinse after use.

Rust Remover Plus: Rust remover for textiles and acoustic-type surfaces.

Volatile Solvent: For removal of tar, grease and other oil-based substances, some dye pigments, grease, tar, asphalt, candle wax, chewing gum, typewriter correction fluid.

Wet Solvent: For removal of oil-and water-based stains such as light oils, ball point or marking pen inks.

Unusual Spots and Stains

Carpet Yellowing: Most yellowing can be eradicatcd using an acid solution. Acetic acid 7%, or citric acid, can be effective in eliminating some yellowing complaints. A solution of 4 to 6 ounces of citric acid in 1 gallon of water or a solution of one part acetic acid 7% and one part water is recommended.

Optical Brighteners: Optical brighteners are actually fluorescent dyes that brighten the color of the fiber. However, ultraviolet light from the sun may cause these dyes to exhibit a lavender cast in areas where the solution has been used. These dyes can eventually oxidize, causing a yellow discoloration on the fiber. Once applied, optical brighteners are hard to remove. Fabpro does not use any optical brighteners in their products. Use heat transfer method using Fabpro's Neutral Prespray and Soil Remover at 1:1 dilution to remove offending optical brighteners

Bleaching Agents: Bleaches actually destroy the dye, leaving a white or a yellow discoloration. In large areas of damage, it may be necessary to remove the area of damaged carpet and insert an undamaged portion of carpet taken from an inconspicuous area. Some carpet cleaning professionals have the knowledge to redye these damaged areas.

Acids: .Some toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid that dissolves carpet fibers, as well as coloring agtents that can dye carpet fibers. Grout cleaners contain phosphoric acid and can damage carpet fibers and dyes. Most acids should be neutralized with Fabpro's ammonia solution.

Acne Medications: One of the most common chemical stains that can occur in the home is caused by benzoyl peroxide used in most acne medications. The center of the affected area may be bleached white with a pink or orange halo around the outer edges of the affected area.

Insecticides: Many insecticides approved for indoor use can cause color changes in carpet. Insecticides should never be applied directly to carpet fibers unless specified. Most chemicals should be applied to walls and baseboards only. Many insecticides that are recommended for use on carpet may damage carpet color. Some insecticides may attack the red dyes used in beige carpet. This leaves the blue and yellow dyes, which together form green colorations.

Plant Foods: Many plant foods contain oxidizing agents that attack dyestuffs, leaving green, yellow, or brown discolorations. These stains typically occur near the backing material and migrate upward.

Strong Alkalis: Any chemical with high alkalinity can cause permanent damage to carpet fiber. Some cleaning solutions with high alkalinity, such as laundry detergents, may cause yellowing. Stronger alkalis, such as drain cleaners and oven cleaners, may cause permanent bleaching.

Pet Urine: Pet urine stains and the resulting odor is the most common consumer carpet cleaning inquiry. Stains may appear yellow or brown and odors may linger long after the stain has been removed. Not all urine stains can be easily removed and may require enzymes such as Fabpro's Enzyme Carpet Detergent to remove the proteins that linger. Urine removes body waste from animals. Urine content may vary widely within a particular animal over time, depending upon diet, medications, age, health, sex and reproductive cycles.

Filtration Lines: The general black, geometric-patterned lines around carpet edges, doorways or heat ducts can be removed by applying concentrated Fabpro's Neutral PreSpray (or up to a 5:1 dilution depending on soil density) to a clean, white, absorbent cloth and wiping the affected areas to remove the soil from the face fibers. Prespraying the Neutral Prespray and leaving it on for 5-10 minutes greatly helps in the removal of soil.