Why would I need carpet protectant applied to a stain resistant carpet?
Our carpeting was brand new about 3 years ago. We purchased a stain resistant carpet and have followed the manufacturers’ guidelines and had the carpet cleaned annually to maintain our warranty. However each time the carpets were cleaned the technician asked me if I wanted carpet protectant applied. Is this necessary?
Most modern carpets have acid dye blocker technology. This product is applied to the carpet dye sites (while expanded with heat) to protect the carpet dye from fugitive dye stains; as the fibers cool the dye blocker is locked in place. It is extremely difficult for this product to be removed during cleaning.
It is possible that over time and with regular wear the factory applied stain resistant treatments are gradually weakened; thus a reduction in effectiveness. Although unlikely it can happen and stains can penetrate the dye sites causing permanent staining to your carpet. However your cleaning technician is probably more concerned with the overall fabric and not the dye sites.
To clarify this concern a quick lesson in carpet wear may help you to better understand the overall concern of your technician. Small bits of dust and other debris can be quite sharp; as these soils get ground into the carpet it scratches the fibers. Scratches not only diminish the light reflection of the carpet they also provide very small particles of soil a place to build up and eventually become impacted and eventually permanently fused into the scratches.
I am talking about microscopic bits of soil however your traffic lanes are comprised of millions of fibers so the overall visual effect of soil fusion can be quite drastic when standing above the carpet. Once permanent soil fusion has occurred there is no removing it. This condition plus the lack of light reflection causes shading to become visible. Damage to carpet fibers is not reversible but can be slowed down. This is why applying carpet protector after every cleaning becomes important.
Post cleaning topical applications of protector as does the factory applied product weakens soonest in the heaviest traffic areas; where you are most likely to experience a spill. The manufacturer of the StainMaster™ brand of carpet fibers offers this advice about Carpet Protectant: “Protectant refreshes the performance of stain resistant carpets; fortifying its ability to resist soiling and staining. StainMaster™ recommends the regular application of Protectant on all nylon carpets to help maintain soil and stain resistance.”
Carpet protectant provides you a window of opportunity to remove common household spills. Unprotected carpets and even stain resistant carpets that are subjected to normal wear can absorb spills so quickly that even your best efforts to remove them are fruitless. No carpet is completely stain proof but with the regular application of a protectant you have a fighting chance to prevent permanent stains.
Another benefit of an overall application of protectant is that it creates an invisible shield which allows you to vacuum dirt away more easily. Proper and frequent vacuuming is crucial because it helps remove abrasive dirt particles which can make your beautiful carpet look prematurely dull and dingy. Protectants also fill in the existing scratches and help guard against soil fusion.
If you want your carpeting to last longer and clean up easier; Protectant is highly recommended after each cleaning.