Color Brightener Enhancer

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
I think I have 8 wool Karastan 10x14 area rugs that someone dropped in my driveway yesterday. They are so heavy I need to move them with piano dollies. Perfect for training my new guy. I'll drag them to the shop and get him working on them. That's what I think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trip Moses

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
Eight 10 x14s all from the same home?
They were found sitting in a barn in a little town called Manton. Loaded with dust/dirt, and mouse turds. I warned the lady that when unrolled we might find dead mice and holes. She didn't care.
 

Desk Jockey

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Messages
64,833
Location
A planet far far away
Name
Rico Suave
Don't breathe that dust or touch it. Wear N-95 dust mask with a a little better filtration. About $1.00 each but much better than the average dust mask. Disposable gloves and eye protection. Don't touch your face or mouth until you wash.

Hantavirus is a real concern around mice droppings. Better safe than sorry later.
 

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
Don't breathe that dust or touch it. Wear N-95 dust mask with a a little better filtration. About $1.00 each but much better than the average dust mask. Disposable gloves and eye protection. Don't touch your face or mouth until you wash.

Hantavirus is a real concern around mice droppings. Better safe than sorry later.
Damn, I didn't even think of that. Thanks!

@Sierra Clean Care , I haven't even begun to figure out a price. I told her $300 each depending on condition and care needed. Some have those damn fringes. But back to the OP, should I use optical brighteners?
 
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
6,242
Location
Bc
Name
Jeff T
Damn, I didn't even think of that. Thanks!

@Sierra Clean Care , I haven't even begun to figure out a price. I told her $300 each depending on condition and care needed. Some have those damn fringes. But back to the OP, should I use optical brighteners?
No on the optical brighteners, after you get the mouse hava out of them, (vac, vac, vac again), go to the local auto supply store, and pick up a large jar of GOOP hand cleaner( NON pumice version) and use that to clean the fringes... just make sure to pressure wash it out after.....
 

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
No on the optical brighteners, after you get the mouse hava out of them, (vac, vac, vac again), go to the local auto supply store, and pick up a large jar of GOOP hand cleaner( NON pumice version) and use that to clean the fringes... just make sure to pressure wash it out after.....
Everyday I learn how much I don't know.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lee Stockwell
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
6,242
Location
Bc
Name
Jeff T
No on the optical brighteners, after you get the mouse hava out of them, (vac, vac, vac again), go to the local auto supply store, and pick up a large jar of GOOP hand cleaner( NON pumice version) and use that to clean the fringes... just make sure to pressure wash it out after.....
If there’s a concern about color bleed/crocking, on you’re way home from the auto store, stop by the hardware store, and pick up a few gallons of double strength cleaning vinegar, and you can use that to help set dyes.....
 

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
If there’s a concern about color bleed/crocking, on you’re way home from the auto store, stop by the hardware store, and pick up a few gallons of double strength cleaning vinegar, and you can use that to help set dyes.....
I've got a butt load of Dye-loc. But I might run out. I'll get some vinegar.
 

J Scott W

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
4,061
Location
Shelbyville TN
Name
Jeffrey Scott Warrington
I've got a butt load of Dye-loc. But I might run out. I'll get some vinegar.

Be sure to apply the Dye-Loc as the first step after dry soil removal / dusting. Give it a few minutes to be absorbed into the fiber before applying anything else. Vinegar and Dye-Loc use different chemistry. They will work against each other if mixed.

If you have a potential bleeder, bring it to the Hands-On Rug Washing school Doug Heiferman and I will be teaching. May 14th - 16th in Orlando. In the past, several students have brought rugs to the class that paid for their class.

RugWashing for Facebook 5.14.19.jpg
 

Sergio

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2017
Messages
152
Location
Italy
Name
Sergio
No, it’s not proper technique to add any optical brightening to any area rug/ carpet. If you want it to look it’s best, follow proper cleaning procedures, followed by rinsing on the acid side.
in addition to the classic acid rinse,do you know a chemical product or a particular technique of washing for add any optical brightening to any area rug / carpet ?
 
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
6,242
Location
Bc
Name
Jeff T
@scottw is probably the best person to answer that. The best way to explain that, ‘you can’t polish a turd’, in other words, you can’t make it something it isn’t. Everything in life has a life expectancy, EVERYTHING wears out..... do you wash an article of clothing, and expect it to look newer than when you put it in the machine? NO, it will be clean, but the machine will not fix color fade or damage.....
 

J Scott W

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
4,061
Location
Shelbyville TN
Name
Jeffrey Scott Warrington
in addition to the classic acid rinse,do you know a chemical product or a particular technique of washing for add any optical brightening to any area rug / carpet ?

Anything that brightens the rug is also able to damage the fibers. This can also reduce the value of a collectible rug. If you and your client really want the rug brighter, a very mild reducer or oxidizer such 3% drug store hydrogen peroxide (oxidizer) or mild solution of sodium metabisulfite in warm water (reducer) misted onto the rug are the safest options. Obviously, do not use both an oxidizer and a reducer on the same rug.
 

Tom Forsythe

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
486
Dyes in Karastan rugs are very stable, even better in the older versions. As always do dye bleed tests, but I do not expect you will need Dye Loc for these Karastans. In my opinion, Karastans have great value in terms of longevity. I have two myself in high traffic areas and love the colors and durability.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sergio and Nomad74

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,461
Location
Redding
Dyes in Karastan rugs are very stable, even better in the older versions. As always do dye bleed tests, but I do not expect you will need Dye Loc for these Karastans. In my opinion, Karastans have great value in terms of longevity. I have two myself in high traffic areas and love the colors and durability.
Thanks for posting this. I'm feeling better about what I have to do today with theses rugs I have. Who knows what i'm going to find when I unroll them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sergio

Sergio

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2017
Messages
152
Location
Italy
Name
Sergio
Anything that brightens the rug is also able to damage the fibers. This can also reduce the value of a collectible rug. If you and your client really want the rug brighter, a very mild reducer or oxidizer such 3% drug store hydrogen peroxide (oxidizer) or mild solution of sodium metabisulfite in warm water (reducer) misted onto the rug are the safest options. Obviously, do not use both an oxidizer and a reducer on the same rug.
Scott, you really are a monster!
Some questions:

- Hydrogen Peroxide.
In the supermarket under my house I can find 3% hydrogen peroxide. Do I have to dilute it with hot water? If yes, dilution ratio? If instead I have to pour it pure (not diluted with hot water), do I have to heat it or is it good at room temperature? How much time on average must remain on the rug before rinsing? The rinsing will be acid rinse?

-Sodium Metabisulfite
Is sodium metabisulfite the same as sodium hydrosulphite? Dilution ratio is the same for both chemicals?

Thanks great Scott 😄
 

J Scott W

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
4,061
Location
Shelbyville TN
Name
Jeffrey Scott Warrington
Scott, you really are a monster!
Some questions:

- Hydrogen Peroxide.
In the supermarket under my house I can find 3% hydrogen peroxide. Do I have to dilute it with hot water? If yes, dilution ratio? If instead I have to pour it pure (not diluted with hot water), do I have to heat it or is it good at room temperature? How much time on average must remain on the rug before rinsing? The rinsing will be acid rinse?

-Sodium Metabisulfite
Is sodium metabisulfite the same as sodium hydrosulphite? Dilution ratio is the same for both chemicals?

Thanks great Scott 😄

Hydrogen peroxide at 3% undiluted. I would suggest room temperature. HEating it can increase the brightening effect but also can do more damage to cotton or wool. It will also have a very short life when heated.

You can judge how long you want it to remain on the rug as you watch what it does. no more than 20 or 30 minutes for most rugs, often less.

Sodium metabisultfite is more of a super version of sodium hydrosulfite. If you have one but not the other, go with what you have. They do come in different strengths, purity level and potency. Follow label directions or weaker. For example our Bridgepoint product calls for 2 ounces per quart of warm water. I would start with 1 ounce for a quart of warm water and only make it stronger if needed. Not all similar products are as pure or as strong as the Bridgepoint product.
 

Sergio

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2017
Messages
152
Location
Italy
Name
Sergio
Hydrogen peroxide at 3% undiluted. I would suggest room temperature. HEating it can increase the brightening effect but also can do more damage to cotton or wool. It will also have a very short life when heated.

You can judge how long you want it to remain on the rug as you watch what it does. no more than 20 or 30 minutes for most rugs, often less.

Sodium metabisultfite is more of a super version of sodium hydrosulfite. If you have one but not the other, go with what you have. They do come in different strengths, purity level and potency. Follow label directions or weaker. For example our Bridgepoint product calls for 2 ounces per quart of warm water. I would start with 1 ounce for a quart of warm water and only make it stronger if needed. Not all similar products are as pure or as strong as the Bridgepoint product.
If buying 6% hydrogen peroxide, to dilute to 3% just mix a part of water and a part of hydrogen peroxide?
 

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom