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 factors including environmental factors, pH level,
carpet cleaning solutions and more.
Carpet Yellowing Yellowing of carpet fiber is often perplexing to the consumer and the carpet professional alike. Consumers often insist yellowing is a result of a manufacturing defect and the carpet professional has a difficult time convincing the consumer otherwise. Yellowing of carpet fiber has become more commonplace in recent years due to the development of stain resist technology. Consumers are now able to purchase lighter shades of carpet with less worries about the cleanability of the fiber. These new, lighter colors hide yellowing less than the darker colors of the past. Identifying the source of the yellowing can sometimes be elusive. There are a number of causes for yellowing of synthetic carpet fiber. Yellowing can be the result of one isolated source or a combination of sources. (see also carpet color fading) While permanently eliminating the reoccurrence of yellowing can be difficult without identifying the source, a temporary solution can usually be achieved by applying an approved acid-rinse solution to the face fiber. An acetic acid solution (white vinegar) or a citric acid solution should be used by a carpet cleaner to remove any yellow discoloration. A ten (10%) percent pharmaceutical grade citric acid solution often works well due to the residual benefits of the citric acid solution. In some cases, the consumer may use a solution of one cup water mixed with one cup white vinegar to neutralize small areas of discoloration. Any other consumer application should be discouraged. The application of any detergent solution should also be discouraged since some types of yellowing can be permanently "set" by the high alkalinities of many detergent solutions.
Possible Causes of Yellowing BHT (butylated hydroxy toluene) or BHA (butylated hydroxy anisole) is probably the most commonly recognized yellowing situation and probably the most over-blamed. BHT serves as an ultraviolet inhibitor and an antioxidant. It was used through the years as a preservative in polypropylene yarn systems, carpet adhesives, some latex formulations, various backings and back coatings, and many other consumer products. Many rebond carpet cushion (carpet padding) products may contain Bht and has been attributed to numerous carpet yellowing complaints. BHT is considered non toxic and is even contained in many food items.
Optical Brighteners are fluorescent dyes that are added to many
carpet cleaning solutions to enhance apparent cleaning results. Unfortunately, these dyes begin to Bleaching Agents - There are two types of bleaching agents that can affect carpet color; reducing bleaches and oxidizing bleaches. Oxidizing bleaches, like Chlorox®, can be used in the hands of a professional to prepare a carpet to be redyed, but in most cases the most common complaints received are accidental use of these bleaching agents by consumers. Oxidizing bleaches work by adding oxygen to the stain to change the structure of the dye. Rarely will a consumer ever make the connection between the use of a bleaching agent and color loss or yellowing of their carpet. Sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in many household disinfectants) can be tracked from restroom floor areas to carpeted areas where carpet color can be removed. In some cases, the center of these areas will be devoid of color, while the edges may produce a yellow discoloration (also see carpet color fading) One point of confusion for consumers is the increased of olefin fiber which is solution dyed. Some carpet retailers use the expression that "olefin resists stains so well it can be cleaned with Chlorox®". While olefin fiber will resist the color loss effects of bleaches, some olefin carpets are blended with other fibers which do not resist these bleaches. In addition, some consumers many confuse the carpet they purchase with the retailers description of the olefin fiber style they may have seen. Another very common problem is for a consumer to use bleach on an olefin carpet style and traffic from the damp carpet is tracked to other carpet that is not solution dyed. Many bleaching agents are not free rinsing and will remain on the fiber even after drying. A moisture catalyst may reactivate this bleach. The second type of bleaching agent is a reducing bleach. or a stripper. Reducing bleaches are used for stain removal where color has been added to a carpet fiber like Kool-aid or gatorade, red wine stains, or grape juice stains. These strippers work by removing oxygen. The following have been recognized as contributing to yellowing of carpet fibers as well. See Carpet Glossary for full description: Tracked-in soil oil deposition fume fading ozone fading cellulosic browning highly alkaline detergents Urine ultraviolet light degradation oxidation chlorine benzoyl peroxide fluorocarbon treatments -butyl cellusolve 2-butoxyethanol, butyl solvents silicone-type topical treatments airborne contamination i.e., nicotine, cooking oils formaldehyde-not typically found in carpet pesticides heating fuel electronic air filters- ozone hard surface floor finishes Click on the links below to learn more about carpet.
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oxidize as they begin to deteriorate and may cause carpet fading or yellowing. Once added to carpet fiber, there is no reversing the process. Carpet fiber is permanently damaged. Optical brighteners are rarely listed on product ingredients. But chemical formulators have known of the deleterious effects on carpet for many years.
