I cleaned a berber carpet, probably nylon not olefin, in a condo. It was really flat with no sculptured look. Hallway was just a dirty shade of off white with tan specks. I used HWE and when I cleaned the hallway I got this "bloom" effect with something that looked like ink, dark black with purplish/bluish hints.

The client says a couple of guys and a portable spilled dirty water once but this doesn't look or act like dirty water.

The color reminded me of toner but it was easily water soluble. I got it to disappear only to have it wick back in a day or two. Client was gone for a few days so carpet dried completely. I tried DS2 50/50 with a bonnet and got it better but I could tell it was going to wick. I dried it with bonnets but I still think it will be a problem. I told the client to vacuum several times and see if it improves after it dries.

Anybody have a similar problem?

That is a weird one.
I haven't heard of that before.

Maybe the porty guys had something in their waste tank that left a deep residue.

Your approach of low-moisture and 50/50 DS is probably the best strategy though. It may just take a few cleanings.




Rick Gelinas

---