Acid Dyes, Acid Dye Blockers, How to Remove Acid Food Dye Stains from Carpet with Pro's Choice Red Relief

How to Remove Kool-Aid Acid Dye Stain with Red Relief

Acid dyes are negatively charged anionic dyes primarily used on nylon as well as wool and other animal fibers. Acid dyes are seldom used on cotton since this process requires a mordant.

Acid dyes are also used to dye drinks, candies, etc., including Kool Aid®, which can cause hard-to-remove stains on nylon carpet.

Acid dye blockers are negatively charged anionic naphthalated phenolic resins that act like colorless dyes and cause nylon fibers to resist most common household food and beverage stains containing acid dyes by occupying remaining positively charged dye sites.

Sometimes called stain blockers, acid dye blockers work by blocking the positively charged nylon dye sites, thus preventing (theoretically) staining by negatively charged acid dyes.

Acid dye resistance is the additional property built into fifth generation nylon fiber.

Note: Nylon stain resist warranties are most often covered under installations in owner-occupied residences only and not in commercial settings.

Follow These Steps to Remove Acid Dye / Food Dye Stains such as Kool-Aid and Fruit Punch from Carpet:

  • Some stains may disappear over a short time on their own when Red Relief is applied without the use of the Heat Transfer Method, though this is the preferred method used by most professional cleaners to remove kool aid stains, fruit juice stains, and other hard to remove dye spots. For other hard to remove natural/organic stains like coffee, use Stain Magic!
  • If mostly dried or very thick, blot with alcohol first to dissolve most of the syrup.
  • Extraction clean (preferably with water) the spot on the carpet to remove all surface contamination.
  • Blot the spot as dry as possible with a dry white clean towel.
  • Mix equal parts of Red Relief® Solution A and Solution B in a clean container or use the Dual Chamber Sprayer Kit.
  • (The Pro’s Choice Red Relief Dual Chamber Sprayer Kit puts an end to mixing and measuring. Automatically blends parts “A” & “B” as a solution is dispensed.)
  • Apply the mixed solution to the stain liberally to wet all the stained carpet fibers.
  • Prepare a damp towel and wring out until moderately damp.
  • Cover the stain with the damp towel.
  • Apply steam heat to the towel for 1 - 3 minutes, using a steam iron filled with water and set at the lowest steam setting.
  • DO NOT SET IRON DIRECTLY ON CARPET!
  • Because of its low melting point, do not use an iron on olefin.
  • Apply the iron directly over the towel covering the stain.
  • Check the stain every 30 seconds. to make sure no carpet dye has been removed!
  • When the stain has turned to a light yellow or has disappeared, remove heat and towel.
  • Be alert for fibers that are not colorfast - if you see carpet color loss, discontinue the heat immediately!
  • Extraction rinse the treated area to remove any residue and dry thoroughly.
  • If a heavy spill, use Stain Blotter to prevent wicking.
  • IMPORTANT: Red Relief is not self-neutralizing and MUST be rinsed from carpet after treatment. Always test an inconspicuous area before using.
  • Usually, incomplete stain removal is the result of insufficient heating time (high temperature is not necessary but dwell time is important).
  • Red Relief will continue to work on stains which have penetrated dye sites even after you have rinsed the carpet clean. Because of this, you will find that if the slightest tinge of red remains following your treatment, it will disappear overnight.
  • Steam iron to use with Red Relief to remove Kool-Aid stain and other acid dye carpet stainsThe preferred type of steam iron that works best with Red Relief is an iron which has steam vents covering the ironing surface rather than one with with a single row of vents around the perimeter of the ironing surface as illustrated here.
     

Red Relief Is a Two-Part System that Removes the Following Food and Drink Stains and Many More from Carpet:

Precautions in Using Red Relief:

  • Read label directions and cautions before using.
  • Always test on a hidden or inconspicuous area first.
  • We strongly suggest that you practice on some carpet scraps to develop the technique before using the product and technique on a customer’s carpet.
  • Removal of some of the carpet dye is always possible in this type of system!
  • Do not use on natural fibers such as wool or sisal. For rugs, use Red Relief for Wool.
  • Always rinse after using!
  • NOTE: Even though Red Relief is used to remove red acid dye stains from carpet, it is NOT for ORGANIC red stains such as wine! Use Pro's Choice Stain Magic to remove carpet organic stains like red wine, grape juice, etc.

Related Carpet and Rug Spot and Stain Removal Information:

Related Spot and Stain Removal Videos:

Products for Removing Acidic Dyes Stains Such as Kool-Aid from Carpet:

Free Bane-Clene Information PackageBane-Clene Paper Catalog

Free packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

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Published by: Bane-Clene® Corp.
 Copyright: Bane-Clene Corp.

Date Modified: July 7, 2020

Date Originally Published: November 10, 2014

Video: How to Remove Food Dye Stains like Kool-Aid from Nylon Carpet Using Pro's Choice Red Relief - Presented by Bane-Clene®

Presentation at a Bane-Clene training class by Bane-Clene’s chemist on How to Remove Food Dye Stains like Kool-Aid from Nylon Carpet Using Red Relief.