Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 8/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

Over the weekend I rented a Carpet Cleaner from Home Depot to clean my vacuum. I did use the "7 In 1 Carpet Care" that they had available and now after a few days I can see white stains/powder on my dark color carpet. I read online that this might be from powdered sprinkle-on carpet deodorizers, which I did use before.

How do I clean up the carpet now? I tried dry vacuuming but the stain/powder still sticks to the carpet, it removed 10-20 of it but my carpet is still way too white compared to what it was.

Thank you,
Sebastian

ANSWER: Hi Sebastian,

Sorry to hear about your rug.  It seems as though the residue on your carpet is the deodorizer that you used.  In order to get this off, you need to rinse the rug throughly with water.  You may be able to use a brush, water, and lots of towels to do this, but if it is really bad, you may need an extractor.  Perhaps you can spot check a tiny area and see if the water remedies the situation, then you will know that it is actually the deodorizer powder that has caused the issue.  When in doubt, water is almost always the answer.   

Best of luck!
Katie
Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
4210 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
301-530-6660


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Katie,

You mentioned "You may be able to use a brush, water, and lots of towels to do this, but if it is really bad, you may need an extractor." What extractor should I use? What do you recommend? Is it a agent or a type of vacuum?

Thank you,
Sebastian

Answer
Yes, you can take a clean, wet brush, brush the area where the is powder, and continue to use water and blot with towels as you go and all of the powder is out.  
Alternately, you can rent the carpet machine again and use it without shampoo, just with water.  Most of the carpet cleaners (like Rug Doctor) that you can rent have an extractor in them.  It is just that nozzle that sucks out all the water.