One of my techs cleaned a couch last week and it browned noticeably. We had trying out CTI's 3 Step Clean and Brite system for upholstery with great success so far.

The tech was concerned about this white sectional and called to see if it was ok to use the new product on the couch. Customer told him it was linen. Checking with CTI phone support and their instuctional CD this product is safe even for Haitian Cottons. So I told them to go ahead with it.

20 minutes later I get a call on our 2-way radio things are not going well! Brownish appearance is developing and when they rub with a towel this brown/orange stuff is rubbing off on the towels as they rub the cushions.

I note in the CD that correction of the problem can be achieved with a double strength dose of the product since it does have a measure of reducing agent in the product. Checked with my good friend and supplier and he felt it was a good idea to try spraying on the double strength product. Anyway, when I got there, the browning was pretty noticeable. The double strength sprayed on was not reversing the problem.

Brought the affected cushions back to the shop and recleaned with Chemspec Haitain cotton cleaner. Some improvement but still looks bad. My good friend the supplier suggested a Chemspec Spray N Go application, however it still looks bad, though less brown.

Any Ideas would be appreciated! I am beginning to visualize this sectional in my already crowded living room and not relishing the idea!

Thanks,
John L.

John, I don't know what cti 3 step is, but I cleaned a white linen couch two weeks ago and I encaped it with a very light amount of ds to keep it as dry as possible. I then used encap punch in my truck mount to rinse the arms and cushions with no browning problems. I then made sure the couch was completely dry before I left using airmovers. One thing I have learned is never listen to the customer about what type of material they have. They usually don't have a clue.



Ralph

Ralph is right- the material could be anything, including linen.

Now that it is browned, I would try 2 things on a small section and see which works best.

SPRAY on, very lightly Encap DS, Ready-to-Use. let sit a couple of minutes, and towel off, but NOT get it WET, just barely damp.

Second thing to try is Bac-Out. I have had good success removing browning with that, because most browning is caused by lignin, and lignin is organic, and Bac-Outdigests most anything organic.

Spray it on like above and towel off.

Gary

What tests were done prior to cleaning?

Shrink test?
Bleed test?
Burn test?
Product test?

Your tech should have tested the product in a small area and known if it would work. Honestly I do not rely on tech support for a product- their interest is getting you to use it and sell more of their stuff. Their business does not live and die by your results, but yor does. My FREE Estimates cost me money on upholstery jobs- but save me many heartaches in those kinds of problems.

I guess I sound kinda harsh, but testing upholstery is paramount in my book.



Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

Ralph, Del,

Testing was done by the tech, and appeared to be a go with the products used.

Gary,

We have the Releasit DS but no Bac Out. Where is it available and how fast?

Thanks guys,

John L.

You can find bac-out on line. I just received a shipment myself. Gary told me about it and I know that Steve Dobs swears by it. I just did a nasty urine job with it. great stuff and safe. I know that bio kleen sells it and many other companys. Shop around online. There are alot of price differences.

Ralph

ps. Gary Heacock has his own website that can point you in the right direction