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Brown Out® for Rugs and Upholstery
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Brown Out reduces browning and dye bleed on rugs, upholstery and some carpets. It should be applied to all wet-cleaned rugs and wet-cleaned upholstery.
Browning is a phenomenon in which the fiber tips turn dark after a carpet or rug is cleaned and has dried. Carpet dries from the tips, so as the cleaning solution evaporates it pulls water to the surface, carrying everything dissolved in it. When the water evaporates it leaves that material behind on the tips: soil, high-alkalinity residue, and anything else in the fiber like heavy shampoo levels, cola or coffee. This upward flow during drying is called wicking. The main contributors to browning are slow drying, over-wetting, high alkalinity, BHT, and cellulosic material like jute backing. Cellulose browning occurs in natural fiber carpets like jute, wool, sisal and cotton, and in some older carpeting made with jute backing.
An application of an organic acid agent like Brown Out neutralizes the residue, preventing browning and leaving the carpet cleaner and brighter. Used on wet-cleaned upholstery and rugs, it also reduces dye bleeding by setting the dyes. Browning is easier to correct on synthetic pile than on natural fibers like wool, hemp, silk or cotton. Where severe browning may occur, clean with Natural Fiber Cleaner.
To cure the yellowing from an overly aggressive detergent, rinse with water to remove excess detergent, then apply Brown Out diluted 1 part to 2 parts water (43 ounces per gallon) to the affected areas (undiluted if severe). Let it work for 15 to 20 minutes, do a single wet pass with plain water and 2 dry passes. Since the stain resistance has been destroyed, apply Bane-Guard or Teflon protector. Note that the stain resistance warranty is still voided.
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a slowly vaporizing preservative used in many plastics including rebound pad. Problems show up most in areas with low air circulation, like closets, under low furniture or under throw rugs, and occur more often in winter in homes using oil or gas heat. Most fiber producers recommend a 10% citric acid solution to remove BHT yellowing followed by vacuuming. Citric is the primary acid in Brown Out. Use it at 1 part product to 2 parts water: spray the affected area heavily, allow at least 15 minutes for the yellow to disappear, then do one wet pass with water (no detergent) and two dry passes. This removes the excess but leaves enough behind to reduce the chance of the yellow returning.
Calcium chloride is hygroscopic and turns to lime when you try to clean it with an alkaline detergent. Its white powder tracks quickly throughout a building and causes severe soiling, so quick removal matters.
Do a Brown Out flush by rinsing the carpet with a 4 to 8 ounce per gallon solution of Brown Out in water with no detergent through the base unit. Use MediClean or Sporicidin to prevent mold and mildew.
We strongly recommend applying an 8 ounce per gallon solution of Brown Out in water to all wet-cleaned upholstery after cleaning. It prevents browning, stabilizes and brightens colors, reduces the chance of dye bleeding and gives a soft hand. Since dyes are more stable on the acid side, this greatly reduces dye bleed.
After cleaning the rug, apply Brown Out at 8 ounces per gallon very lightly, just to the surface. If the rug severely browns despite your best efforts, do a Brown Out flush and let it dry upside down to move the browning to the back. If pre-testing indicates a wool rug will bleed with normal cleaning, test with LCA 256 or Brown Out. If it still bleeds, it must be dry cleaned, cleaned with Natural Fiber Cleaner, or not cleaned at all.