AlienAgent
Member
So we had a weird situation earlier today…
Last job of the day at a large senior living facility, carpet cleaning in main entrance/lobby.
About 100 ft2 in and the smell hits, a real WTF chemical, sour milk, rotten eggs, burning electric wires kind of smell that would just about knock you out of your flip flops. Super strong.
We immediately stop cleaning and quickly check the Phoenix, Kirby, and heavy duty extension cord and wall outlet. All clear.
My next thought was wool carpet…mild tachycardia and that hot flushed feeling start to set in. I was previously informed by my contact, the campus facility director of 27 years, that the campus had no wool or natural fibers anywhere. Nylon and poly stuff only.
The small area I had cleaned had a whitish look about it, a noticeable contrast to the darker colors of the carpet. You’ll see it in the pics.
I immediately contacted the director and had the receptionist bring the head housekeeper down to speak with me about SDS sheets for all carpet products that may have been used during recent cleaning attempts. Spartan Clean By Peroxy (an acid side peroxide) was mentioned.
Coffee stains on the carpet did not budge or fade with their attempts with Clean by Peroxy or my own scrubbing with Angry Lemon, Go Oxy, and a blue microfiber.
They stated that they had a similar issue during a past cleaning attempt in another part of the same building and believed that it was an issue with the glue/adhesive (CGD carpet on concrete).
A few quick fiber tests determined that all fibers were synthetic. I guess a blend might be possible, but all indications point to synthetic.
A reaction from residue left by who knows what during a careless in house cleaning sometime in the past was another theory of mine.
I have no clue what could be going on with this carpet, but figured one of you guys might have some insight and the whole experience might help someone out in the future.
Last job of the day at a large senior living facility, carpet cleaning in main entrance/lobby.
About 100 ft2 in and the smell hits, a real WTF chemical, sour milk, rotten eggs, burning electric wires kind of smell that would just about knock you out of your flip flops. Super strong.
We immediately stop cleaning and quickly check the Phoenix, Kirby, and heavy duty extension cord and wall outlet. All clear.
My next thought was wool carpet…mild tachycardia and that hot flushed feeling start to set in. I was previously informed by my contact, the campus facility director of 27 years, that the campus had no wool or natural fibers anywhere. Nylon and poly stuff only.
The small area I had cleaned had a whitish look about it, a noticeable contrast to the darker colors of the carpet. You’ll see it in the pics.
I immediately contacted the director and had the receptionist bring the head housekeeper down to speak with me about SDS sheets for all carpet products that may have been used during recent cleaning attempts. Spartan Clean By Peroxy (an acid side peroxide) was mentioned.
Coffee stains on the carpet did not budge or fade with their attempts with Clean by Peroxy or my own scrubbing with Angry Lemon, Go Oxy, and a blue microfiber.
They stated that they had a similar issue during a past cleaning attempt in another part of the same building and believed that it was an issue with the glue/adhesive (CGD carpet on concrete).
A few quick fiber tests determined that all fibers were synthetic. I guess a blend might be possible, but all indications point to synthetic.
A reaction from residue left by who knows what during a careless in house cleaning sometime in the past was another theory of mine.
I have no clue what could be going on with this carpet, but figured one of you guys might have some insight and the whole experience might help someone out in the future.
