After 38 years and never having had to buy something I damaged, I may have finally stepped into it. Ugh.
My client has a new wool/ viscose rug (12x18) that had a significant crease across the center because the rug was folded up. It is approx 85% wool, 15% viscose, maybe 90%,10% (just don't remember exactly). We were installing a felt pad and I volunteered to attempt to relax the crease on site by running a heated rinse alone the crease with our wand. (My mistake...ahh hindsight). The crease persisted, so we decided to see how folding it over to essentially bend the crease the opposite direction and let it dry in that position. We rinsed with Prochem All Fiber Rinse, Ph about 4. No other products were used.
Two days later, odd brownish areas emerged along the areas we rinsed. I have never seen that happen while using All Fiber Rinse. We used moderately significant water with good extraction that was probably near 180 degrees at the wand, but did not soak the rug. I have not yet inspected it, and I do suspect some nap reversal may be part of what is happening, but it does seem that some king of browning may have occurred. There is no latex or other backing material, and I believe it is machine woven.
So, I need to inspect it, but if there has been a reaction with the Viscose that altered the color somewhat by a fairly strong acid rinse and nothing else, what do I try next? That rinse is what I normally would use first to correct a browning problem! Possibly our brilliant idea of folding the damp rug on itself may be the culprit (not something I would normally do). My considerations include CAREFUL treatment with one or more of: Stronger acid rinse, browning treatment, Yellow Rx (Prochem), H2O2...and/or maybe a diluted oxidizer. H2O2 is a poor choice for wool, and the oxidizer option a risky one also. So, any thoughts from my astute colleagues? (and I don't need any, "Ah, don't do what you just did" comments, I already figured that one out, lol!).
Thanks.
My client has a new wool/ viscose rug (12x18) that had a significant crease across the center because the rug was folded up. It is approx 85% wool, 15% viscose, maybe 90%,10% (just don't remember exactly). We were installing a felt pad and I volunteered to attempt to relax the crease on site by running a heated rinse alone the crease with our wand. (My mistake...ahh hindsight). The crease persisted, so we decided to see how folding it over to essentially bend the crease the opposite direction and let it dry in that position. We rinsed with Prochem All Fiber Rinse, Ph about 4. No other products were used.
Two days later, odd brownish areas emerged along the areas we rinsed. I have never seen that happen while using All Fiber Rinse. We used moderately significant water with good extraction that was probably near 180 degrees at the wand, but did not soak the rug. I have not yet inspected it, and I do suspect some nap reversal may be part of what is happening, but it does seem that some king of browning may have occurred. There is no latex or other backing material, and I believe it is machine woven.
So, I need to inspect it, but if there has been a reaction with the Viscose that altered the color somewhat by a fairly strong acid rinse and nothing else, what do I try next? That rinse is what I normally would use first to correct a browning problem! Possibly our brilliant idea of folding the damp rug on itself may be the culprit (not something I would normally do). My considerations include CAREFUL treatment with one or more of: Stronger acid rinse, browning treatment, Yellow Rx (Prochem), H2O2...and/or maybe a diluted oxidizer. H2O2 is a poor choice for wool, and the oxidizer option a risky one also. So, any thoughts from my astute colleagues? (and I don't need any, "Ah, don't do what you just did" comments, I already figured that one out, lol!).
Thanks.
