ABSORBENT: A fiber that takes on, holds, or traps moisture by absorption and experiences a physical change, Ex; a bucket of water and a sponge.
ACID: Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH below 7.
ADSORBENT: A fiber that takes on, holds or traps moisture by adsorption and does not experience a physical change, Ex; a bucket of water and a plastic cup.
ALKALI: Any substance which when dissolved in water, yields a pH above 7.
ANIMAL STAIN: Discoloration of the carpet caused by animal urine.
ANTIMICROBIAL: A chemical that prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, mildew, etc., reducing their destructive action to carpet and eliminating accompanying odors. Applied to carpet at the mill level and built into some fibers or applied on-location.
ANTI-STAT: A chemical substance applied to the carpet, or a special backing, to reduce static electricity to acceptable levels.
BASE: An alkaline substance.
BIODEGRADABLE. Has the capability of becoming decomposed by naturally occurring microorganisms.
BLEACH: (Chlorinated) Oxygen bleach based on the Chlorine atom. (Clorox, Purex)
BLEACH: (Non Chlorinated) Oxygen bleach which does not contain chlorine. (Oxy-Clean, Snowy Bleach, Clorox2)
BLEEDING: This is a loss or transfer of color from one section of the carpet to another, usually under hot, wet conditions.
BRIGHTENERS: Optical whiteners or fluorescent whitening agents used in the cleaning process. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, they emit a visible blue-white light.
BROWNING: A yellow or brownish discoloration of the carpet’s face, usually caused by impurities in cellulosic fibers, such as cotton and jute, which wick up to the face fibers on over-wetting.
CARPET REPAIR OR BONDED INSERTS: As a final option stains may be removed and replaced with a piece of donor carpet.
DEFOAMER: A surface-active agent that is used in cleaning to reduce detergent foaming.
DEGREASER: Solvent used in the cleaning process to remove heavy oils or grease from the carpet.
DEODORIZER: Products specifically formulated to destroy, mask or modify unpleasant odors from the carpet.
DETERGENT: Any substance that is capable of dislodging, removing or emulsifying soils. Generally, the term is used for formulated products that contain surfactant builders, solvents, etc.
DISINFECTANT: An agent used to completely destroy all harmful bacteria. Labeling for such materials requires proof of effectiveness for registration with EPA.
FATTY ACIDS: Oily, acidic materials that are formed by degradation of animal tissues.
FILTRATION SOIL: Oils, acidic soils, and other pollutants that collect at the edge of the carpet, under doors, around furniture, etc., generally associated with improper carpet installation and use of interior wall cavities as part of the cold air return system. Many of these acid based filtration soils may be permanent and/or cause color loss and/or color change to occur. This change may not be noticeable until the filtration soil is removed.
MILDEW: Fungus growth that can occur on carpet fibers. Causes odor and fiber degradation.
NATURAL PROTEIN FIBERS: Fibers that come from animals or animal by-products, Ex; wool, silk.
NATURAL CELLULOSIC FIBERS: Fibers that come from plants or other vegetation, Ex; cotton, rayon.
OZONE: A highly reactive gas and strong oxidizing agent formed by passing a high voltage current through air. Used as a deodorizing agent.
PH: A number in the range of 0 to 14 used to express the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a dilute solution. Below pH 7 the acidity increases as the number approaches 0. Above pH 7, the alkalinity increases as the pH approaches 14. pH 7 indicates a neutral solution.
SANITIZER: An agent which yields a significant reduction in the level of harmful bacteria. Legal labeling requirements for sanitizers are not as stringent as those for disinfectants.
SHAMPOO: Generally a high foam detergent preparation used for rotary cleaning.
SOIL RETARDANT: An agent that is applied to the carpet to retard or decrease the rate of soiling.
SOLUTION: A liquid that may contain soluble and insoluble components. Ex; soda, coffee, tea, etc…
SOOT: Anything spilled, tracked or applied that adds substance or texture to the fabric. Ex; soda, grease, tar, makeup, food.
SPOT DYEING OR COLOR CORRECTION: Re-applying the missing colors and then shading and toning with gray and black dye. Some products, which cause color loss, may have damaged the dye sites and may not be able to be completely restored.
STAIN: Anything spilled, tracked or applied that adds or deletes color through a chemical process. Ex; bleaches, dyes, indelible inks
STAIN REPELLANT: An agent that is applied to the carpet’s surface which primarily acts as a water repellent.
SUBSTANCE: A sugar, salt, or other soluble or insoluble material that is not part of the textile construction, but rather sits on, bonds to, or is absorbed into the textile’s surface; sugars, salts, lils, fats, lipids, particulates, etc.
SURFACTANT: Specifically, a surface active material which changes the surface tension of water and is used in detergent formulations as a wetting or penetrating agent, emulsifier and dispersant.
SYNTHETIC FIBERS: Fibers made from petroleum and its distillates, Ex; Nylon, Olefin, Acetate, Polyester/PET, Acrylic.
TRAFFIC LANE CLEANER: A heavy-duty detergent specifically designed to use on traffic lanes.
WATER HARDNESS: The amount of metallic salts, such as calcium, magnesium or iron, dissolved in water. These can form insoluble “curds” with some surfactants and reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning.
WICKING: Wicking is a process that happens as the carpet dries, whereby the water rises (or wicks up) to the surface carrying dirt from the backing up with it.