The Three Categories of Staining

To treat a stain effectively, you must first categorize the contaminant:

• Synthetic & Oil-Based: Includes grease, motor oil, paint, gum, and cosmetics. These are often the easiest to resolve with the right solvent.
• Biological: Organic matter such as food, vomit, urine, feces, and mold.
• Dyes: Ranging from natural food tannins to artificial colorants, these are generally the most difficult stains to “move.”

Know Your Canvas: Fiber Identification

The “strongest” spotter is only effective if it doesn’t destroy the carpet.

• Nylon: A petroleum-based synthetic, yet it is subject to water-based dye stains that require industry-recognized dye removers.
• Other Synthetics (Polyester, Triexta, Polypropylene): These fibers rarely take on water-based dye stains; they are far more susceptible to oils.
• Wool: Highly sensitive to strong alkalinity and chlorine bleaches. It is a myth that products for wool must stay between pH 5.5 and 8.5; the pH of a product does not reveal its total alkalinity. However, a pH meter is essential to avoid disrupting the manufacturer’s dye locks, which are often set between 4.0 and 5.5 (sometimes as low as 2.5). Wool is more tolerant of oxidizers than reducers.
• Silk: A protein fiber that requires extreme care. It is highly susceptible to dye stains and sensitive to both acids and alkalines.

The Technician’s Toolbox: Chemistry & Catalysts

Successful spotting requires a “triple threat” of chemical agents:

1. Solvents: Categorized by volatility and polarity (Wet, Semipolar, and Nonpolar/Dry). Use the “like dissolves like” rule. Dissolving is a physical change, not a chemical reaction. Use semipolar citrus gels for gum and oily food residues, while true dry solvents handle inks, paint, and cosmetics.
2. Ionizers (Acids & Alkalines): These neutralize chemical opposites and frequently create a chemical reaction. Strong ionizers should be reserved for specific stains, such as using a strong acid for rust (since metallic oxides are alkaline).
3. Bleaches (Reducers & Oxidizers): These destroy dye stains via chemical reaction.
   • Mild Reducers (e.g., Sodium Bisulfite): Effective against coffee, tea, and cellulosic browning.
   • Strong Reducers: Generally used against red synthetic dyes.
   • Mild Oxidizers (e.g., 3% Hydrogen Peroxide): Effective against blood, mustard, and fresh urine.
   • Strong Oxidizers: Generally effective against oil-based dyes, blue dyes, and natural dyes.

Safety Note: Exercise extreme caution when switching between chemical opposites. To avoid creating poisonous gases or violent reactions, measure reactivity with the appropriate meter, rinse thoroughly with water, re-measure, and then neutralize with a weak version of the opposite chemistry.

Mechanical & Electromagnetic Energy

• The Bone Scraper: Used to agitate the spotter into the stain. Always work from the edge toward the center to prevent “bloom.”
• Terry Towel & Spotting Brush: Use a “tamping” motion through the towel to absorb and adsorb the liquefied stain.
• Steamers/Irons: Heat acts as a catalyst for reducing bleaches and softening latex paint. Caution: Avoid heat on protein stains (blood, feces), as it can “cook” the substance into the fiber.
• UV Light (360nm–380nm): A catalyst for oxidizing bleaches. A high-output UV light is far more effective than a standard inspection blacklight for accelerating results.

Identification & Diagnostics

A client’s history is helpful, but professional testing is vital.

• Texture/Odor: Dye stains typically have no texture. Food stains are often crusty when dry but become gummy when wet. Scent helps distinguish petroleum, biological, or chlorinated products.
• Electronic pH Meter: Indicates the presence of water-based substances. Normal soil sits at 6.1–6.7; most foods and beverages are acidic (4.0–5.5).
• Electronic ORP Meter: Measures Oxidation-Reduction Potential in millivolts (mV). Normal carpet reads 50–250 mV. Negative values indicate reducing agents; high positive values indicate oxidizers.

Methods of Removal

• Oily Stains: Apply solvent, agitate, and blot/extract. Ensure proper ventilation. Avoid over-applying dry solvents on tufted carpets to prevent delamination.
• Biological & Mold Stains: For mold, always dry HEPA vacuum first to remove loose spores before applying liquids. Oxidizers (like hydrogen peroxide) are preferred because the effervescence physically lifts fungal structures to the surface.
• Food Stains: Alkaline spotters “saponify” fatty acids, turning the stain into soap. Oxidizers are also effective because food is a reducing substance. Enzymes are the ultimate products for organic matter but are deactivated by harsh chemicals, dry solvents, or improper pH/temperature ranges.

Precision Over Power

Professional stain removal is a balance of chemistry and patience. By utilizing diagnostic tools and respecting the fiber type, you move from “guessing” to “knowing.” This expertise builds your reputation as a restoration specialist, allowing you to command the premium rates that make spotting the most profitable part of your day.

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Wool vs. nylon: Key comparisons

Both wool and nylon are polar fibers, meaning they possess both positive and negative charges. Wool is classified as anionic, while nylon is cationic, making them chemical opposites. A fundamental principle to understand is that opposites either attract or chemically react, while like charges repel each other.

Wool and nylon are often dyed using anionic (acid) dyes. But their dyeing processes differ:

• Nylon bonds with anionic dyes due to their opposite charges.
• Wool and anionic dye have the same charge, but an acidic finish (typically pH 4.0–5.5) changes wool’s polarity to ensure colorfastness.

Using a nylon-formulated detergent on wool can strip its finish, leading to color loss.

Understanding ionization (pH)

The WoolSafe® Organization is an independent testing and accreditation body that certifies cleaning products for use on wool and wool-blend carpet. Originally part of Wools of New Zealand, it is now a British-based organization that ensures the safe treatment of wool carpet. They have written two standards on wool: WS1000 and WS2000.

pH is often mistakenly understood as THE measure of acids and alkalines, but it is actually one aspect of ionization. A second critical aspect is buffering, which determines the strength of a pH level.

For example, years ago, WoolSafe approved an extraction detergent with a pH of 13.5. When diluted, it had a pH in the high elevens. At the same time, other pH 6.5 products were rejected because they were too alkaline for wool.

Below is an excerpt and chart from the WoolSafe WS1000 standard, explaining how different dye types interact with pH conditions:

“4.2.1 shows the product categories which might be chosen and the pH conditions under which they are usually applied.

Table 4.2.1 Dyes applied to wool carpet yarns from an acid dyebath.

Level dyeing acid dyes are relatively cheap and have bright colors and good levelling characteristics. Their wet fastness characteristics are only moderate, however. They are used primarily in hank and piece dyeing.

Fast dyeing acid dyes have better wet fastness but are somewhat more expensive and do not level so easily. They are used in printing and for continuous dyeing in open width. (Levelling is a term which relates to the evenness of strike that may be obtained during dyeing. As we have seen earlier, in shade sensitive carpet such as plains and semi-plains any unevenness in the dyeing will be highly visible in the finished product).

Acid milling dyes have an excellent all-round fastness but poor levelling characteristics. As such, they are used for stock dyeing and printing.

Metal complex dyes, including chrome dyes, have extremely good dye fastness. However, they are usually only available in dull or dark shades, and there is increasing concern from environmentalists about the effluent created by their use, since there is a tendency for heavy metals to be discharged with the spent dye liquor.

Reactive dyes are brightly colored with excellent fastness properties but are not commonly used for carpet yarns because of their expense.”

Isoionic points and pH sensitivity

Wool changes its polarity at a pH of 5.5 because that is its isoionic point, the pH level at which the fiber switches its charge. As mentioned earlier, polar fibers have both a positive and a negative end, but one end reacts more easily than the other. Lowering the pH of the liquid surrounding the fiber helps the dye bond more effectively, even if the dye and fiber would normally repel each other.

Here are some key isoionic points for different fibers:

• Wool: pH 5.5 – Wool can be dyed with anionic dyes when its pH is between 2.5 and 5.5. If the pH rises above 5.9, color loss is more likely to occur.
• Silk: pH 4.5 – Wet cleaning silk is risky because it reacts easily with various substances. (This topic deserves a separate discussion.)
• Nylon: pH 1.8 – At this level, nylon changes from cationic to anionic, allowing it to bond with cationic (base) dyes. Some multicolored nylons are made from a mix of cationic and anionic fibers, dyed under pressure in Beck dye machines using both anionic and cationic dyes. These blends are more prone to bleeding during cleaning.

Why is this important?

• Some wool carpet lacks an acidic finish, making it prone to dye bleeding even with exposure to plain water.
• Historically, some chemical manufacturers formulated wool detergents at pH 6.5, inadvertently causing dye bleeding by shifting the wool above its isoionic point.

Identify dye stability in wool carpet

How can you determine if a wool carpet has lost its acidic finish or has been cleaned with the wrong detergent?

It’s simpler than you might think. According to the WS1000 standard: “The finished wool carpet will be acidic in pH, often in the range of pH 4 – 5.5.”

In order to accurately test pH, use a digital pH meter, not litmus paper. Why?

• Digital meters are more precise and cost-effective.
• Litmus paper can bleed onto carpet, contaminating the sample.
• Colorfast pH strips require multiple tests for reliable readings.

By investing in a digital pH meter, you can identify defective wool carpet, detect previous improper cleaning methods, and even spot unusual nylons. Measuring the pH of the face yarn before cleaning ensures proper maintenance and preserves the integrity of the wool carpet.

Your insight will help maintain your wool carpet

Understanding wool’s dye chemistry and pH sensitivity is crucial for preserving colorfastness and preventing costly replacements. By using WoolSafe-certified products and proper pH testing, you can help maintain the beauty and durability of wool carpet.

The post Understanding Wool and Dyes appeared first on Cleanfax.

In this article, we’ll explore what pH actually measures, what it does not, and how measuring pH directly on a carpet can prevent cleaning mistakes.

What is pH?

pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and measures how many free hydrogen ions (H⁺) are in a solution. The scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Below 7 means the solution is acidic (more H⁺), and above 7 means it’s alkaline or basic (more OH^– or hydroxide ions). So yes, pH tells us something about ionization, but only in terms of free hydrogen ions.

Ionization is bigger than pH

Ionization is the process of molecules splitting into charged particles (ions). While pH looks at the amount of hydrogen ions, it does not measure other ions like sodium, ammonium, or calcium, which also affect chemical strength, cleaning performance, and interactions with carpet fibers or dyes.

Two products can both claim a pH of 10. One might contain a strong caustic like sodium hydroxide, while the other could be a buffered detergent. Even though their pH is the same on paper, their cleaning power and risk to fibers are completely different.

Buffering capacity: Another key factor

Buffering refers to a solution’s ability to resist changes in pH when acid or base is added. A product might have a stable pH reading due to buffering, but still behave aggressively during cleaning.

Buffered alkaline products, for example, can cling to fibers and resist neutralization even after rinsing, causing long-term problems like dye bleeding, fiber damage, or re-soiling.

Reactivity vs. pH

Reactivity means how fast or strongly a chemical reacts with other substances. A low or high pH can suggest that a product is reactive, but not always. Some chemicals, like hydrogen peroxide, are very reactive yet have a near-neutral pH.

That’s why judging a product by pH alone is misleading. You can’t see its oxidizing, reducing, or ion-swapping behavior just from the number.

Why misunderstanding pH matters

Assuming pH tells the whole story can lead to poor product choices. In carpet cleaning, this might mean using a rinse or spotter that looks “safe” by pH, but which leaves residues or causes color shift due to buffering or hidden reactivity. You might also skip essential steps like neutralization, thinking the job is done because the product said “mild” on the label.

This concern is supported by the IICRC S100 Standard, which cautions: “Some carpet manufacturers recommend using a cleaning solution with a pH of 10 or less. However, the cleaning technician should be aware that pH alone is an inadequate measure of chemical and stain-resist compatibilities, and other factors, such as buffering and ionic strength, influence the cleaning detergent’s suitability for advanced generation nylon fiber.” (IICRC S100, Section 2.8.2)

In short, the number may look right, but the real effect on the fiber depends on how the chemistry behaves after application. This misunderstanding also leads to bad habits, like defending a product based on pH alone, while ignoring the actual effects it has on the carpet, including texture changes, stickiness, wicking, or permanent dye shifts.

Why you should measure pH on the carpet

One of the best ways to avoid these problems is by using a pH meter or test strips directly on the carpet, especially during rinsing or post-cleaning inspection. Measuring the pH at the fiber level reveals what remains after chemical use, rather than relying on the label’s claims about the product’s effectiveness in a lab.

Product pH is measured under controlled conditions, often at full strength or in distilled water. Once that product is mixed, sprayed, absorbed into fiber, and reacted with soil or rinse water, the pH can change drastically. Testing the surface with a meter gives you a real-world reading of how acidic or alkaline the carpet is now and whether a neutralizer is needed.

This hands-on method eliminates guesswork and avoids arguments over what the bottle said. It shows whether your rinse left the carpet at a safe, fiber-compatible pH. For wool carpets, for instance, the WS1000 standard states that a finished wool carpet should remain in the pH range of 4 to 5.5. A quick test could confirm if your process kept it in that range or pushed it too high.

A word for the skeptics

To those who insist that pH is all that matters, here’s the question: If pH told the whole story, why do two products with the same pH behave so differently? Why do we see damage from some “mild” products and no issues from others with “harsh” numbers?

The answer is simple. pH is only part of the picture. Real chemistry involves reactivity, buffering, ion exchange, and what happens after the chemical touches real fiber. Professionals don’t just quote pH. They test, observe, and adjust.

In short, pH is a valuable tool, but it is not the full measure of a product’s safety, strength, or behavior. It tells you about hydrogen ions, but not how the rest of the chemistry will perform. By using a pH meter on the carpet itself, technicians can avoid over-reliance on label claims and prevent avoidable issues. True professionalism in cleaning means looking beyond numbers and testing what matters in the field, not just on the bottle.

The post Misunderstanding pH appeared first on Cleanfax.

What is pH?

pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and measures how many free hydrogen ions (H⁺) are in a solution. The scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Below 7 means the solution is acidic (more H⁺), and above 7 means it’s alkaline or basic (more OH⁻ or hydroxide ions). So yes, pH tells us something about ionization, but only in terms of free hydrogen ions.

Ionization is bigger than pH

Ionization is the process of molecules splitting into charged particles (ions). While pH looks at the amount of hydrogen ions, it does not measure other ions like sodium, ammonium, or calcium, which also affect chemical strength, cleaning performance, and interactions with carpet fibers or dyes.

Two products can both claim a pH of 10. One might contain a strong caustic like sodium hydroxide, while the other could be a buffered detergent. Even though their pH is the same on paper, their cleaning power and risk to fibers are completely different.

Buffering capacity: Another key factor

Buffering refers to a solution’s ability to resist changes in pH when acid or base is added. A product might have a stable pH reading due to buffering but still behave aggressively during cleaning.

Buffered alkaline products, for example, can cling to fibers and resist neutralization even after rinsing, causing long-term problems like dye bleeding, fiber damage, or re-soiling.

Reactivity vs. pH

Reactivity means how fast or strongly a chemical reacts with other substances. A low or high pH can suggest that a product is reactive, but not always. Some chemicals, like hydrogen peroxide, are very reactive yet have a near-neutral pH.

That’s why judging a product by pH alone is misleading. You can’t see its oxidizing, reducing, or ion-swapping behavior just from the number.

Why misunderstanding pH matters

Assuming pH tells the whole story can lead to poor product choices. In carpet cleaning, this might mean using a rinse or spotter that looks “safe” by pH, but which leaves residues or causes color shift due to buffering or hidden reactivity. You might also skip essential steps like neutralization, thinking the job is done because the product said “mild” on the label.

This concern is supported by the IICRC S100 Standard, which cautions: “Some carpet manufacturers recommend using a cleaning solution with a pH of 10 or less. However, the cleaning technician should be aware that pH alone is an inadequate measure of chemical and stain-resist compatibilities, and other factors, such as buffering and ionic strength influence the cleaning detergent’s suitability for advanced generation nylon fiber.” (IICRC S100, Section 2.8.2)

In short, the number may look right, but the real effect on the fiber depends on how the chemistry behaves after application. This misunderstanding also leads to bad habits, like defending a product based on pH alone, while ignoring the actual effects it has on the carpet, including texture changes, stickiness, wicking, or permanent dye shifts.

Why you should measure pH on the carpet

One of the best ways to avoid these problems is by using a pH meter or test strips directly on the carpet, especially during rinsing or post-cleaning inspection. Measuring the pH at the fiber level shows you what was left behind after chemical use, rather than relying on what the label claimed the product would do in a lab.

Product pH is measured under controlled conditions, often at full strength or in distilled water. Once that product is mixed, sprayed, absorbed into fiber, and reacted with soil or rinse water, the pH can change drastically. Testing the surface with a meter gives you a real-world reading of how acidic or alkaline the carpet is now and whether a neutralizer is needed.

This hands-on method eliminates guesswork and avoids arguments over what the bottle said. It shows whether your rinse left the carpet at a safe, fiber-compatible pH. For wool carpets, for instance, the WS1000 standard states that a finished wool carpet should remain in the pH range of 4 to 5.5. A quick test could confirm if your process kept it in that range or pushed it too high.

A word for the skeptics

To those who insist that pH is all that matters, here’s the question: If pH told the whole story, why do two products with the same pH behave so differently? Why do we see damage from some “mild” products and no issues from others with “harsh” numbers?

The answer is simple. pH is only part of the picture. Real chemistry involves reactivity, buffering, ion exchange, and what happens after the chemical touches real fiber. Professionals don’t just quote pH. They test, observe, and adjust.

In short, pH is a valuable tool, but it is not the full measure of a product’s safety, strength, or behavior. It tells you about hydrogen ions, but not how the rest of the chemistry will perform. By using a pH meter on the carpet itself, technicians can avoid over-reliance on label claims and prevent avoidable issues. True professionalism in cleaning means looking beyond numbers and testing what matters in the field, not just on the bottle.

The post Why Misunderstanding pH Matters appeared first on Cleanfax.

Newer oxidizers

Most experienced cleaners are familiar with oxides such as 3% hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate boosters for cleaning, spotters with the word “stain” in the name, and ozone plus hydroxyl generators. These newer oxidizers are made from substances like chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, and other substances, plus ultraviolet-C (UVC) light.

Comparing the abilities of these newer oxidizers to common ones of the past is like comparing older hydrofluoric acid rust removers to more recent and safer products. The 20% hydrofluoric acid rust removers of the past worked in a split second but created a substantial risk for the untrained user. Because technicians were ignorant of the hazards, suppliers chose safety over performance. This meant that cleaners lost a product that worked quickly for one that had a lesser ability to get the job done. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen with the new, advanced forms of oxidation, which have profoundly impacted the cleaning industry.

Understanding oxidizers

This device directs the UVC light down to protect the user and focus the energy onto the floor.

To understand these newer types of oxidizers, practical knowledge of a numerical system to describe their strength is necessary. For comparison, the pH scale is used to understand the strength of acids and alkalines. Acids are proton donors, while alkalines are proton receivers. The proton is noted as H+. This gives acids a positive charge while alkalines receive a negative one.

However, atoms are made up of two charged particles that create a propensity for chemical reactions. The second charged particle is the electron. This is the chemistry of bleach, which comes in two forms—reducers and oxidizers. In the cleaning industry, it has been said that the reducers remove oxygen while oxidizers add it. While that is frequently true, it is really about electrons instead of oxygen. The system that chemists use for oxidizers and reducers is called the redox scale. Since we are talking about electrons, redox propensities are measured in millivolts, i.e., 1 volt = 1,000 millivolts, whose acronym is “mv.”

Here are popular examples of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) values of different substances that should be familiar to most cleaners.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), at pharmaceutical strength, is a 3% solution and with an ORP of 360 mv. As a stain remover, it could destroy coffee, tea, or cellulosic browning stains. In similar comparisons, it would have a mild effect on urine or biological odors. Sodium percarbonate also has an ORP strength of 360 mv. In other words, 360 mv does not require special training to be used properly.

Strong dye stain removers have ORP values from 650 to 850 mv. Lack of training can lead to bodily and material damage.

The newer oxidizers for deodorizing are from 900 to 2,000+. In part, this explains why they can do things that couldn’t be achieved in the past.

Whereas ORP values could be compared to pH values for understanding reducers and oxidizers—and while three editions of the IICRC S100 state that a pH value is only one of different measurements of the strength of an acid or alkaline and that it alone is an inadequate value in knowing its effects on fibers—ORP values are similar as well. As with pH, one should realize anyone who teaches that pH or ORP is the measurement of either is doing a disservice to the understanding of either topic. Thus, to appreciate an ORP value, trainers need to correct years of misinformation.

Newer forms of oxidation

This device, typically used in hospital patient rooms, increased inspection ratings from the low seventies into the nineties in a fraction of the time it took to manually clean the room. (Photos courtesy of Larry Cobb)

The newer forms of oxidation have played a significant role in fighting the pandemic, but it has not come entirely in the form of a liquid packaged in a bottle. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized UVC light’s ability to destroy organisms. This type of ultraviolet light, in the “C” bandwidth, is not your typical black light for inspections and stain removal. These lights cost thousands of dollars and can generate substantial revenue for the operator who knows where and how to use them.

These kinds of lights have hazards as well. They can damage eyes. When used during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital rooms had to be vacated. The financial rewards were substantial for the lucky few who knew of this groundbreaking approach. What is the answer? While there is something new that can change our industry by broadening its opportunities, we need training. The questions to be answer are such: Who will do that training, and will their understanding of redox and UVC be adequate to make this method safe, effective, and inclusive?

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Truths in science

You can be certain that the ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings will be a guideline. Here is an example of real science and your responsibility to it.

2.6.1 Chemical Reactions

The cleaning technician should understand that a chemical reaction changes the soil or staining agent into another substance. Extraction may be used to remove this new substance, or it may be left in place if it is volatile and will completely evaporate, or if it is innocuous. An example would be using hydrogen peroxide, which is volatile, on food dyes. Common chemical reactions that can occur during cleaning include ionization, reduction/oxidation, and biologically activated processes (bacteria and enzymes).

In other words, a cleaner should know what a chemical reaction is. But what is the definition of “should?” The standard defines the use of “should” in a document as meaning that the practice or procedure is a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed, while not mandatory by regulatory requirements.

In other words, it is something that you are supposed to know.

What are the chemical reactions? The standard speaks of three, yet the third is really not a reaction but something else. See for yourself.��

1. Ionization��is about substances that have an unequal number of electrons and protons. Chemists would say that acids are��proton��donors��while alkalines are��proton��receivers. A scale that measures one aspect of acids is pH.��
2. Reductions/oxidation��is about substances that want to lose or gain��electrons. If you took a carpet cleaning class, you most likely studied bleach. You might have learned that there are reducers and oxidizers. The scale for measuring bleach is called “ORP,” which measures the propensity of these reactions in whose units are in millivolts (mv).��
3. Biological��deals with things like enzymes. Instead of seeing this as a propensity for a chemical reaction, it should be viewed as a catalyst that makes a reaction happen quickly.��

Conflicts in science

With this said, here is where some of the made-up stuff begins. How many of you thought the pH was the measurement of acids and alkalines? Were you taught that? You will notice in point #1 previously that it is a measurement (scale). Buffering is one factor in determining the strength of a pH. A buffered pH will maintain its pH under dilution even though its alkalinity is decreasing. That is, pH is a component of alkalinity, but pH is not, itself, alkalinity. This means that the pH 10.0 rule is based upon a weak form of science.��

The pH 10.0 rule for nylon came about in 1988 because of the acid dye blocker. While this was the rule, some products with pH 11 were nonreactive on acid dye blockers, and others with pH 9 were reactive. In 2007, the CRI formed its laboratory testing program called the Seal of Approval (SOA). Laboratory testing is the ultimate way to reconcile all aspects of chemical reactions.��

It was once believed that the Wools of New Zealand organization made a pH of 4.5 to 8.5 rule for wool. The true leadership of Wools of New Zealand did not make such a guideline. Most educators now teach that the products for cleaning wool should be WoolSafe® approved. WoolSafe once approved a product whose concentrated pH was 13.5, 11+ in dilution. At the same time, they did not approve of some products whose pH was 6.5 because they were too alkaline. That should tell you something about how pH and alkalinity truly correlate with one another.��

Technology has found a practical and affordable solution to reconcile pH and buffering; you simply measure the pH directly from the carpet. The S100 says that the cleaning technician should understand how to test the pH of a solution and the pH of the fibers being cleaned. A pH meter can be used or strips of pH paper. A pH meter electronically measures pH. pH paper uses indicator dyes that change color according to the pH.

Note that the standard again says “should.” The S100 goes on to say that the cleaning technician should understand that pH only partially describes the likelihood and strength of a chemical reaction. The makeup of the ions involved—the presence or absence of buffering agents that stabilize pH—are among the factors that influence reactions. Therefore, knowing only the pH of a cleaning product is insufficient to know if it’s compatible with a fiber being cleaned.

Note that the standard says, “knowing only the pH of a cleaning product is insufficient to know if it’s compatible with a fiber being cleaned,” then later in the standard, it gives a guideline based on the pH of a product like the pH 10 rule. One is based on science; the other was done to have a simple guideline pointing in the right direction. Educators believe that most technicians cannot comprehend what is being said here. Yet, nothing can be simpler than taking a pH reading directly from the carpet.��

The cleaning industry seems to be expanding the pH 10 guideline to include all synthetics. This is surprising since nylon was the only petroleum-based synthetic with alkalinity issues. As I said at the beginning of this article, “Our world is filled with made-up things that outshine its truths.”

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