Relationship between alkalinity and re-soiling in carpet cleaning

Let's discuss the question of whether high alkalinity in carpet cleaning products causes re-soiling. In fact it is surfactant residue, rather than alkalinity itself, that is the primary cause of re-soiling. However, cost considerations influence the use of high-alkaline products, which often feature cheaper surfactants that contribute to re-soiling.

**Key Points:**

1. **Alkalinity vs. Surfactant Residue in Chemicals for Carpet Cleaning:**

- Alkalinity alone is not the main cause of re-soiling. Instead, the residue left by inexpensive surfactants used in high-alkaline products is more problematic. We recommend : All Fiber Deep Clean

2. **Cost Considerations Carpet Cleaning Chemicals:**

- High-alkaline products are cheaper to produce, often using lower-cost surfactants. This cost-saving approach leads to more residue, which can cause re-soiling.
- Polymers that reduce re-soiling are more expensive, and their high cost discourages their use in these low-cost products.

3. **Testing and Ingredients in Carpet Cleaning Solutions:**

- Testing various alkaline ingredients (such as sodium phosphates, carbonate, and hydroxide) can help understand their impact on re-soiling.
- Testing involves checking if different levels of alkalinity (0.1% to 0.5% solutions) correlate with re-soiling and evaluating how well different alkaline materials perform.

4. **Commercial Carpet Cleaning Practices:**

- Inexpensive high-alkaline pre-sprays are commonly used due to low cleaning rates in commercial settings, leading to rushed, less effective cleanings and increased residue.
- This low-cost approach affects the quality of cleaning, with lower prices correlating with higher re-soiling due to less experienced cleaners and lower-quality equipment.

5. **Additional Issues:**

- High alkalinity can damage the adhesive used for direct glue-down carpets and impact fluorochemical treatments applied by mills.
- Maintaining a pH below 10 is recommended for preserving mill protection on fifth-generation nylon carpets.

Check out all our professional cleaning products on our website