Spots might return for various reasons, even after expert or steam cleaning. Wicking is the most likely cause of the most common kind of persistent spot.
What is “Wicking”?
Fabrics that are kept in liquid eventually become saturated all the way to the top, this occurrence is called wicking. Eventually, the top layer of the material will absorb the liquid and reveal the color of the liquid if it is there (as would happen with a stain). In elementary school, this is a typical science experiment involving dipping a candle wick, a strip of fabric, a piece of paper, or a stalk of celery into a cup filled with water and food coloring to simply absorb the liquid. Despite how entertaining this may be to observe, it is precisely the thing we do not see on our carpet.
How Do Stains “Wick” Out of Carpets?
In order to cause a stain, a spill must penetrate the carpet and make its way to the backing or padding below. If the stain is indeed that deep, then no amount of cleaning will prevent the carpet fibers from once again bringing the stain to the surface.
A substantial volume of liquid that is not rapidly or completely removed before it soaks the underside of the carpet and/or the pad causes wicking. Pet urine stains are a typical example of this problem because they include more liquid and can’t be seen right away. Spot cleaning usually makes the stain worse because most individuals apply more liquid in the form of cleansers to the area they are trying to clean. The augmented fluidity permits a more significant quantity to penetrate the support and cushioning or even to grow in size.
How To Prevent and Clean a “Wicking” Stain
Towels and fans can be used to quickly dry off the area after such an accident. While using a liquid carpet cleaner, exercise caution and use just as directed. Larger quantities of liquid may require the use of a wet-dry vacuum. The only viable option is to hire a professional cleaning service to deal with the stain. If the stain is large enough, an experienced cleaner can add more water to dilute it and then vacuum up enough of the excess water from the carpet so the stain is gone for good. Extreme stains may require more than one cleaning, even by the most reliable cleaning service.
If you need assistance, contact a local cleaning contractor in your area. Tell them if a stain persists after steam cleaning so they can take the necessary steps to resolve it.
Some stains can return because of wicking, but many more do so because of residue. To be fair, this is frequently the result of well-meaning individuals using homemade carpet cleaners to get rid of the stains.