Filtration Soil Information
Soiling around the Edges

from Bane-Clene®

Soil Filtration   Filtration soil is a term used to describe dark, grayish lines that may appear on carpet. This has become a common problem today because homes are much more airtight than in the past and because aromatherapy and burning of candles is so popular today. In fact, an internet search using the search engine Google with the search term "aromatherapy candles soot" will bring up several horror stories of severe soot formation in homes and offices where burning of candles is practiced.

   This is not a carpet defect, but a situation in which dust and other airborne pollutants such as soot from burning candles or from poorly ventilated fireplaces can accumulate on the carpet face fibers in areas with a concentrated flow of air over the carpet or through tiny cracks or other open areas under the carpet. The soiling condition can occur quickly, or it may develop over a period of months or years. The level of soiling is dependent upon the volume of airflow and the level of pollutants in the air.

   Filtration soiling is not a result of the quality of carpet selected. The condition will obviously appear more pronounced on lighter colorations than darker colorations.

Soil Filtration   Filtration soil areas may appear around baseboards, under doors, along the edges of stairs and possibly away from walls where plywood subflooring materials have been joined. It may also occur under the skirting of furniture. Generally, the concentrated air flow will be from an upper level to a lower level of the home.

   As indicated, filtration soiling can occur under closed interior doors where a central heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) system is utilized. When possible, open interior doors to reduce filtration soiling that may develop under closed doors while the HVAC system is in operation.

   Filtration soil may be fireplace or automobile emissions, residue from furniture polishes, fine sand or clay particles, cooking oils, or a host of other soils or a combination of soils.

   Oily airborne contaminants trapped by carpet fibers will serve to attract more dry soil.

   It is difficult to identify effective methods to reduce or prevent filtration soiling. Preventing airflow through carpet and carpet edges by sealing cracks in the subfloor, as well as under baseboards and edges of stairs, may reduce filtration soiling problems. Keeping air inside the home as clean as possible can be accomplished by reducing indoor air pollutants, such as cooking emissions, fireplace smoke, burning candles, cigarette smoke, and emissions from cleaning chemicals; and by the installation and regular replacement of high efficiency HVAC air filters.

   While no one cleaning technique may be successful in all filtration soiling situations, recent innovations in soil- and stain-resist treatments applied to carpet have reduced the effort previously needed to remove the filtration soil. However, the complete removal of contaminants from the soiled areas can be complicated, depending on the type of contaminant materials present. To achieve the best results, the services of a cleaning professional should be considered.

   Filtration soil is a complex mix of very fine even microscopic chemical particulates such as carbon, sulfur, oxides and silica soil plus oils. This very fine soil strongly attaches to carpet fibers. To break these soil fiber bonds and rinse the soil away, you must:

  1. Apply FSR Filtration Soil Remover to the contaminated fibers.
  2. Thoroughly but carefully agitate fibers with a brush such as the grout line brush or carpet shark to assist in breaking the soil bond. Be careful not to damage the wall, baseboard or other surface!
  3. In severe cases, apply Stain Magic to oxidize some of the soil.
  4. Thoroughly hot water extraction-clean away soil. Crevice Tools are best used with the FSR and extractor to remove this difficult soil. Again, be careful not to damage the wall, baseboard or other surface! If need be, use a shim of some kind to prevent damage (cardboard, plastic, metal piece).
  5. Apply ARA or Teflon to retard future accumulation of soil.
  6. NOTE: FSR is very foamy - Use with Crystal Defoamer from Chemspec or Crystal Defoamer from Pro's Choice

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Illustrations reprinted by permission from the Carpet and Rug Institute.

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