What’s that smell???

[AlienAgent]

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.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

It’s difficult to know for sure without being there, as smells are subjective and not easily translated into on line discussion, as are photos.

Based on what you shared, I think the use of cleaning products that contain peroxide is the culprit.

I would rinse the carpet with lukewarm water as thoroughly as possible. Avoid heat, which accelerates the activity of peroxide.

 

[AlienAgent]

@Jim Pemberton I really appreciate you taking a moment to weigh in on this.

I had a feeling the oxidizer component was playing a big part in this as well.

I can’t express enough how strong this smell was. My nose said chemical/electrical fire. Head housekeeper was thinking rotten egg and spoiled milk. Quite a variance in sniffers for sure.

“Are we making mustard gas or something? Do we have to evacuate the residents?” Passed through my mind for a brief second…

I’ve cleaned a lot of carpet, in a lot of different situations, and the closest I’ve had were some trashy rentals where a past tenant (come to find out after the fact… gee thanks for the heads up landlord…) was busted for cooking methamphetamine. The smell there was an overpowering ammonia. Another unit with the same owner had a similar story and a 12” spot that actually started fuming/smoking after the prespray hit it.

The fact that neither Spartan’s Clean by Peroxy nor my Angry Lemon encap spiked with Go Oxy would’nt remove, nor lighten, a verified coffee stain made me wonder about the construction of the carpet/fiber type. Could that be a clue?

Also, the white kinda foamy look to the area cleaned suggests a real reaction is taking place with that peroxide. My initial thought was organic matter, the smell (to me) suggests chemical reaction. Either residue or material composition.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

The fact that neither Spartan’s Clean by Peroxy nor my Angry Lemon encap spiked with Go Oxy would’nt remove, nor lighten, a verified coffee stain made me wonder about the construction of the carpet/fiber type. Could that be a clue?

It isn't impossible for the carpet to be wool. There is a lot more of it being installed out there, but it probably isn't.

Nylon can be permanently stained by coffee, and especially decaf coffee, if it is spilled when it is very hot. On top of that, the worst thing of all is their own efforts to take the spot out. They might not have used the product properly, they might have scrubbed the spot so aggressively that they drove the staining material deep within the yarns and perhaps the fiber....

...or someone might be lying and they used a hard surface cleaning product or some other inappropriate cleaning agent along with what they admitted to use.

You've been doing this for long enough to know that people lie to cover up their mistakes; at this stage of my life and career, I pretty much expect that.

I think all you might be able to do is rinse it out to destinkify it and advise them in the future to leave spotting with cleaning agents to the professional, and just do use a neutral spotter and clear water rinse for emergencies in the future.

 

[AlienAgent]

Thank you for your insight Jim.

A quick fiber test indicates synthetic material, but I’m thinking the same way you are on this.

The facility director thinks it’s an issue with the carpet’s adhesive, in 16 years I’ve never seen anything that would indicate that’s the case.

I’ll post any meaningful updates as the situation goes on.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Thank you for your insight Jim.

A quick fiber test indicates synthetic material, but I’m thinking the same way you are on this.

The facility director thinks it’s an issue with the carpet’s adhesive, in 16 years I’ve never seen anything that would indicate that’s the case.

I’ll post any meaningful updates as the situation goes on.

I won't say that it isn't the adhesive, but I doubt it.

There is an old medical adage that goes something like this:

"When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don't expect to see a zebra.”

With the light colored discoloration, and the history of chemical cocktails being used on the carpet, I'm thinking that's "a horse"

Adhesive would be a "zebra" in my view.

 

[they live]

I question if bleach was used at some point on a body fluid issue. Probably a poop issue.
Are the floors heated?
This could cause the electrical smell. The may have saturated the floor with bleach and water but won't admit it or the person who did it isn't there any more.
People will also lie to protect themselves from blame.

That carpet should be pulled out and replaced either way. I bet the stains underneath would reveal the cause. It's probably in the concrete and getting wet activated it.

Just a guess from past experiences.

 

[they live]

The sour milk smell and white residue can be mold.
These facilities like using bleach.

 

[encapman]

Ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

 

[BIG WOOD]

rotten eggs tells me it's a sulfuric smell that could result in a strong acid cleaning agent used on a hard surface floor. Is there any floors like that nearby on the pictures you took?

 

[Rick J]

in your pics, and the whitish area you are referring to,, is it the rectangular area right next to the bench? is it what you cleaned before suspending your service?
Is/was the area noticeably soiled , so that area clean, or lighter because of the reaction you are talking of. ?
I know throw rugs, such as go in baths with a latex/rubber backing can really smell when getting old.