Question about reducers/oxidizers

Oxidizers add oxygen, Reducers/strippers, strip it away.

From the carpet cleaners view and from most customers view, Dave's answer is good.

For more of a chemists viewpoint -

Oxygen molecules are pretty reactive. They tend to combine or react with other things they come in contact with.

Oxygen has 6 electrons in the outer valence or level of electrons. Eight electrons is a stable situation. So oxygen either wants to combine with something that has 2 extra electrons or it wants to steal or remove two electrons from something.

Chemists tend to think of oxidations as meaning "to remove two electrons."

Reduction is the opposite side of the coin. Whatever looses the electrons is said to be oxidized. BUt for something to loose two electrons, something else gained two electrons. This is reduction.

Actually any reaction must have both things happening at the same time. One thing is being oxidized while another thing is being reduced.

An oxidzers steals electrons while it itself gains electrons or is reduced.Whatever it took the electrons from was oxidized. The reverse is true for a reducer.

Any of these changes in the molecuel result in either new substances or ions that have a different size. This new molecule does not absorb and reflect light in the same way the original molecule did. It has changed to something with no color. So reducers or oxidizers both change things from something with color to something without color.

Because oxidizers often release a lot of oxygen and many bacteria do not live long in high concentrations of oxygen (they are said to be anaerobic.) oxidiers can be sanitizers or disinfectants.

Reducers are used to remove synthetic food dye stains. (colored dyes)
.
Oxidizers are used to remove organic type stains. (Mustard, tea, coffee, etc.)

Reducers try to grab oxygen and oxidizers want to give up oxygen... Never mix the two!

Dam* I wish I was a smart as old Scott there!

Oxidizing products include Boost All, StainZONE, Stain Magic, PetZONE with Hydrocide, OSR, Pee-BE-Gone and many others

Reducers include RedZONE, Red Relief, Coffee Stain Removerand many others.

Scott beat me to it!

Reducer = remove oxygen atoms or add hydrogen atoms
Oxidizer = to lose or cause to lose hydrogen atoms

I did a program called "Why is the Sky Blue?" that explained how molecule size and shape effected light refraction and thus our perception of color. When oxidizers or reducers change the molecule, they change the size and the color.

A few added thoughts Richard -

When using oxidizers on natural fabrics such as rug fringes, be sure to keep the alkalinity and pH in line with what is appropriate for the fabric.

Both oxidizers and reducers come in several varieties. Some oxidizers are great for removing animal and odor and also for sanitizing.