The biggest fear most rug cleaners have regarding rugs is that the rug might bleed while in their care.
Bled Afghan rug.
The fact is, with proper training and the right tools and solutions, even the most fugitive dyes in a rug can be successfully cleaned…
…you just need to know what you are doing.
And interestingly enough, the biggest bled rug disasters I’ve seen in my career have been when cleaners have brought me rugs that they should have not cleaned in the first place, and they could have avoided their disaster through the simple step of doing a proper dye test.
If you do not know know how to do a proper dye test, here is how I do one.
I use hot water for my test, but you can also use a high pH spotter. And if the dye bleeds when you test with either of those items, you need to test with your DYE STABILIZER solution to make sure you can safely clean the rug. If it bleeds with your stabilizer, you are in trouble.
My latest article in Cleanfax Magazine on Why Dyes Bleed is down below. I’ve linked to the entire PDF article so that you can print it out to reference. All of the photos of bled rugs are real rug disasters from cleaners who did not know that the way they were cleaning the rugs was going to ruin them. Unfortunately they were all very expensive mistakes… much more expensive than paying for proper rug training would have been.
Hopefully this helps explain any past dye migration challenges you have had, and gives you some insight to avoid disasters in your rug cleaning business.
Happy Rug Cleaning!
- Lisa
P.S. Looking for more rug care training? Jim Pemberton and I have the most comprehensive real-world textile program in the industry for oriental rug and fine fabric care. If you want to be a Textile Pro, take a look at the details on our Textile Pro page.
Cleanfax – Why Dyes Bleed
The link to your Textile Pro page produces a 404 (Page Not Found).
Thank you Mary – the page link is fixed. =) It is http://www.rugchick.com/get-training-now/ and you can also hit the link up top that says Get Training Now and it takes you there.
- Lisa
thank you for this information. In France there are not many studies about it. Those who hold the information are not thinking about the share
AS always another great article, I think it is great that you give so much of yourself in the effort to raise the skill level of cleanere everywhere! Thank You!
You’re right Lisa, the “dye locks” “dye stabilizers” and the like do not work nearly as well as their label claims. I have them in my shop but I think acetic is still more reliable than all those others.
Thank you….RugSecrets Pal….Robert
Lisa,
Thanks again. I really appreciate your way of getting the point across to us out here. It takes someone who can identify with the challenges we face. The problems, the biggest problems I see is pride, lack of education and thinking that longevity will accomplish what is needed to do the job correctly or in this case maybe not to do the job. If you continue what you are doing then people like myself and many others more knowledgeable than me can help others avoid serious mistakes, Then they can pass it forward. Remembering the source of our education, not only remembering but telling others the source RUG CHICK. Then these organizations that we work so hard to make revalent will be just that. Then ALL our goals can be met.
Thanks again Lisa
Bob Barnes
Another great post lisa thank you.
Fortunately I have had great training and now know how to deal with bleeding problems. Its with thanks to blogs like yours also.
Kind regards
Captain Rug Wash
GREAT article Lisa!!! Thank you for always giving us such VALUABLE information!! I am trying to learn as much as I can about rugs before I even get into a training class. I am hoping that I can get into your Textile Pro’s class in the near future. Thank you again very much!
Aaron Baum
Brownell’s E-Z Clean, LLC
Thank you everyone for all the nice comments – I really appreciate you taking the time to post. =)