Sometimes stains that have been hidden by soil are revealed after cleaning. These stains, which did not immediately cause discoloration, are often from spilled liquid containing colorless sugar that remained on the fibers. After long exposure to the air, they changed to insoluble brown stains. The stains may look like brownish discolorations but often they remain unnoticed because of the accumulated soil covering them. Some food and drink stains may inevitably turn even darker from the necessary drying action after a thorough cleaning.
Other kinds of stains can be caused by water soaking through and dissolving materials that cause browning, or dissolving fugitive dyes from the back of the carpet, rug, or upholstery. Because the fibers act as wicks, moisture will rise to the surface to evaporate, and discoloration will be left. Consumers who try to remove stains by using the wrong cleaning compounds and procedures may only make stained areas more noticeable.
Professional cleaners use specialty cleaning and stain removal treatments to improve the appearance of forgotten drink spills –cola, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, soda and others. Even with the best treatments, some colored residue or caramelized sugar stain resulting from the prior spillage may remain.
To lessen the possibility of stain damage, immediate action should be taken; thoroughly absorb all moisture and, when possible, put a half-inch thickness of clean, white, absorbent material, such as paper or cloth toweling, over the area and weight it down. Keep replacing with fresh absorbent material and repeat as needed. Then call your certified cleaning and restoration company to learn how to remove the spot safely before it becomes a permanent stain.
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