Ph.D in Detergent pH<br><hr noshade width="50%" align="left">A Basic 'Chemistry 101' Primer on Using Today's Advanced Cleaners Click on the link above I know it will help a lot of people better understand some of the chemistry behind carpet cleaning.. more than " I use a prespray just because" I went into a Interlink and asked if Dupont ever lifted their ban on the use of deodorizers, or have they come up with one that is NOT "cationic". They had NO clue what I was talking about! Read the above link, and it may help all understand the necessity to use a proper prespray.
There is some good basic information in the article. The information on reaction between cationic products and carpet "protectors" is a bit off in accuracy, but gets the concept across that cationics can be harmful to stain resist fibers. There is so much more to cleaning than simply the pH. Buffering, total alkalinity, concentration, reactivity all need to be consider when creating a prespray for a certain goal. For thos who want to explore this further, I suggest checking the archive of Cleanfax for an article on pH from last year. To answer your question about deodorizers on DuPont carpet - As far as Dupont, they don't make much nylon stain resist carpet fiber any more. They sold that division off to Invista. Regardless of the manufacturer, most deodorizers are safe on stain resistant carpet. There are no restrictions on using deodorizers. The restrictions on using cationic products does still apply. These are mostly DISINFECTANTS or SANITIZERS rather than deodorants. Disinfectans may also control odors, but act in a different manner than a deodorizer. Disinfectant or sanitizer kills microbes that may be the cause of an odor. These are still cationic and not compatible with stain resist carpet. Deodorizer use a fragrance to cover odor or makes a chemical change to the odor molecule. Deodorizers can work on odors that come from sources other than micro-organisms. Deodoriizers are OK on stain resist carpet. Scott Warrington
I just read the label, follow the directions, and trust the manufacturer's research and development. If I ever have a problem, I'll call them.
Scott W Said: As far as Dupont, they don't make much nylon stain resist carpet fiber any more. They sold that division off to Invista. While I already knew this fact, I was generally speaking. For instance, commonly referred to as Dupont Stainmaster. Please correct me on this, Scott, for example isn't ProChem's Duo deodorizer, cationic? And if this is the case, doesnt it null out the acid dye resistors? or create a "sticky residue?" Also is there any new technical info out on the new "lotus" fiber? Scott said: There is so much more to cleaning than simply the pH. Buffering, total alkalinity, concentration, reactivity all need to be consider when creating a prespray for a certain goal. This is exactly why I presented that link... I would be willing to say that more often than not, in reference to "concentration", there a lot of "glug,glug" guys out there, thinking "more gets it cleaner" when in fact all they doing is causing a longer dry time, due to surfactancy, "making the water,wetter" Thanks for responding Scott.
Lance and Scott good information from both, for the members new to Cleaning, you will fully understand this once you have done some training. Mick :biggrin:
Scott W said "Disinfectant or sanitizer kills microbes that may be the cause of an odor. These are still cationic and not compatible with stain resist carpet." part of the reason, when a homeowner has a water loss of any kind, no matter how small, the warranty is voided. Thanks for your responses on this topic, Scott.
Even with water damages. If you can remove MOST of the water with a water claw or any tool that will indeed remove water from the pad, you don't always have to apply an anti-microbial or biocide. Get it dry quick. Someone wise once said that mold sensativity will be a thing of the past. The new thing will be chemical sensativity, and I couldn't agree more. The more and more water damages that I've done, the customers have been more concerned at what I'm applying to the carpet (if needed) than whether or not there is a chance for mold to grow. I think this itself has really pushed the Green movement with our industry, and with other industries outside of ours. PS. Sorry to get off topic of the original post. But I do believe that our customers are going to want to be more aware of whats being applied to their textiles. Whether it has to do with cleaning, or sanitizing/disinfecting.
