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Just curious if anyone is fighting a losing battle with any spots, and if so, what are they? (notice I say spots, and not stains).
We currently have 3 homes with spots that continually reappear. All are just a dark grey/black spot(s) that clean up very easily and look great when we leave, but then reappear within a week or two according to the customers. Depending on the cause of each spot, we have tried TGP, Dry Solvent, FA Enzyme, pet enzyme, HWE (ninja), extreme low moisture cleaning to prevent wicking, straight Orange deodorizer, both protectants and probably a couple of other things too that I am forgetting. All products have been tried in various orders too. One spot is child’s vomit (and her previous cleaner couldn’t permanently remove it either). One house has many spots (half dollar size) that she says are child spitup, but I think otherwise. The third house’s are mysteries as she bought the place and they then appeared, all in various sizes and in a random placement throughout household which makes identifying the origin even more difficult. All customer’s are happy with efforts we have made and are content with outcomes, but we are not.
Anyone else have the baffling spots? Have you given up, or are you still fighting the fight? I hate losing……..
Dave, Ive come across that. Fortunately it is in a condo that I take care of for the owner who lives out of state. Ive tried everything you named and then some, I thought I had it licked, its almost been a year. Last month I noticed they are showing up again. I find that HWE with 101, then use vinegar/water mixture 1 to 1 let dwell, extract, then I buff out with the stair buffer using a finishing towel. I think that it just takes a lot of patience & going back. Every time you hit it, it will take longer to return. Last week I also had a regular customer call me back for the same problem they were very light and hardly noticeable. I did a fine mist of FAE then treated with a fine mist of heavy duty 101, buffed with the finishing towel on the stair buffer. I followed up with her & she said it looks great. Im keeping my fingers crossed that took care of it.
Hate losing too Dave, I clean a church in Hugo that has a stain in a hallway that looks like a water stain and even originates at a hot water heater. I’ve tried numerous times and approaches at cleaning it, goes away; but it always comes back. The stain moves down the hall about 12 feet or so, and no one seems to know or confess to what it is or what may have been used on to clean it in the beginning. Drives me nuts! Try again next year. I also mark on my invoice that it is reoccuring and that several attempts to clean it have been made.
I use to clean for a Curves for Women business. They had many massive recurring spots. The carpet was on a cement floor. I returned a number of times, and was completely baffled. I learned through questioning that this facility was a former garage busines that worked on cars. I know now that the reoccurring spots were due to what was embedded in the concrete. Reoccurring spots often go beyond the carpet itself. If the offender is in the pad or on the subfloor, it may be ones that can’t be totally remedied.
Jeol,
With water stains, I first use cleaner mixed with Citrus booster (water based solvant) and clean with regular cleaner, spraying heavier in effected areas. If it comes back I repeat spraying lightly and apply protector. If citrus booster w/cleaner doesn’t budge it I go to the rust remover and flush. (Of course only in the problem area.) Then repeat the cleaning with CB/101 cleaning, then regular cleaner to finish. Protector if needed. (as well as adds to the bill).
On returning gray spots, I tend to believe they are a sort of oil. Cooking oil, baby oil, body lotions, minerial oil, motor oil, ect. If they are returning, the spill is more than likely absorbed deep into the pad. I have had good luck using portable extract mixed with very hot water. Be sure to completely rinse with plenty of cold water when done.
My church has just built a new 30,000 sf building in July’05 ,October makes 13 months in a row I have spot cleaned the carpet,there is a spot 2 ft sq. that is black ,Its gone when I leave and returns a day later ..mmmm what could that be?????
Maybe mold? Low spot in the concrete floor is holding moisture? If not, then somebody spilled something during construction before the carpet was laid?
Dave, this is why I never use the word guarantee as there are too many variables with spots. As you know many homeowners either forget or do not reveil what secret potion they used.
I agree with eddy. Educating the customer before the cleaning is a win win situation. You guarantee that you will do everything you can, not perform miracles. I know it’s hard though. You are giving your all, I know that too, but you have to know when to say when. It is permanent, most likely. My wife usually has to slap me to get me off a stain that won’t budge, just kidding about the slapping of course. You obviously go the extra mile. That’s what we are supposed to do. Great job bro.
Mike Nowlin
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