Carpet Stain Removal, Deep Cleaning & Sanitising

We only use Prochem products for carpet and upholstery cleaning. Why?

We’ve been in business for more than two decades (and not just as a service provider but also as a supplier to the trade), and have tried many different products from all the brands in the marketplace throughout that time. In our experience, products from other brands will exhibit at least one of these two weaknesses:

• they leave behind residues on the carpet (and also in our machines); and/or
• they simply don’t work as well as Prochem products do!

Prochem products do cost more, but they deliver the best results, and they are WoolSafe-approved. WoolSafe have a 60 second video demonstrating just how important it is to use the right products on wool here.

Here’s a rundown of the different formulas we use.

Presprays for Hot Water Extraction Cleaning

We apply a prespray to the carpet with a sprayer before hot water extraction cleaning to break down heavy soiling in ‘high traffic’ areas. In smaller areas we work the treatment into the carpet with a handheld carpet brush, but in larger areas we’ll use our motorised metal brush/wand to work it in to the fabric. The prespray will be removed during the main extraction cleaning process.

Prespray Gold

An amber liquid with a lemon fragrance. It is highly concentrated and is diluted with hot water before use in a spray bottle. It is ideal for use on wool, wool mix, stain resistant nylon and other PH-sensitive fibre (and ‘wet-cleanable’) carpets to break down tough oily and greasy soiling in advance.

Trafficlean

An industrial strength green liquid with a mint fragrance, also highly-concentrated and diluted with hot water before usage. It contains surfactants and water-based solvents (ideal for breaking down grease, oil, fats, food and protein soiling) and we often use it for restaurant carpets. We don’t recommend it for wool unless the carpet really needs the extra cleaning power. If used on wool, we will need to neutralise it afterwards with ‘Fibre & Fabric Rinse’ (more on this below) because it has a high alkaline PH level, which means that any residue left behind could weaken delicate fibres.

Power Burst

Another industrial strength prespray but in powder form, which we then dissolve in hot water and apply with a sprayer. It is not just stronger but also cheaper than Trafficlean as it’s more concentrated. This is ideal for use on especially dirty, greasy areas such as heavily soiled restaurant carpets. Again, we would be very careful using this on wool carpets, and it would need to be neutralised afterwards.

Hot Water Extraction Detergents

The extraction detergent is diluted with water and poured into the carpet cleaning machine’s solution tank. It is expelled into the carpet fibres via the carpet cleaning wand (and sometimes worked in with hand tools) to release general dirt build-up and odours from large areas of carpet. Read more about how we approach hot water extraction cleaning here.

Extraction Plus (for most carpets with standard fibres)

This is the main extraction detergent we use for the majority of carpets we clean (because most carpets are made from polypropylene). It’s a green liquid with a citrus fragrance, and is the most powerful and most affordable solution we carry. It has a low-foam formulation to ease removal, and also contains an ‘anti-resoiling’ agent to help prevent future dirt build-up.

We won’t use this on wool carpets due to the higher PH level which can damage delicate fibres. Instead we’d recommend…

Extraclean (for more delicate fibres like wool)

A yellow liquid with a lemon fragrance which is diluted with water for use on carpets and upholstery. It can be used on all types of carpet but it’s best for delicate fabrics such as wool (it is WoolSafe-approved). The formula traps dirt and odour molecules in a polymer coating so they can be easily removed from the carpet fibres, and also contains an ‘anti-resoiling’ agent to help repel future dirt build-up.

Ultrapac Renovate

A red liquid with a floral fragrance. It has a solvent-free, cationic formulation (meaning it lifts soiling by neutralising electrical charge). It’s effective against carbon, soot, smoke, grease, rubber and very heavily-ingrained dirt. It can be applied by sprayer or by machine and then allowed to rest for a while before the carpet is then finished by extraction cleaning with Fibre and Fabric Rinse.

Fibre & Fabric Rinse

Used after extraction cleaning, this is an orange-fragranced liquid which is diluted with water. It is used as a final (and mildy acidic rinse) to normalise the PH – meaning it it neutralises alkaline residues from other chemicals that could damage delicate carpet fibres. It stabilises colours and helps to prevent the brown / yellow stains that can occur when carpets are left damp. Think of it as ‘conditioner for carpets’. It is WoolSafe-approved and suitable for use on wool carpets, cotton, and natural fibre upholstery fabrics.

Deodorisers for Extraction Cleaning

These can be applied in two ways:

1. directly applied to the source of the unpleasant smell in smaller problem areas
   (to treat odours caused by stale spilt milk, vomit or urine);
2. poured into our carpet cleaning machine’s tank at the same time as the detergent
   (for overall deodorising, freshening and fragrance – for example, in a property where people smoke).

First, our general odour removers…

Fresh Breeze Odour Neutraliser

This blue liquid has a fresh fragrance and a ‘micro-encapsulation’ formula to neutralise and remove nasty smells whilst also preventing sticky residues. It’s added to the machine’s tank along with the extraction detergent. We use Fresh Breeze as standard on all carpet cleaning jobs (for no extra charge) unless we’re told not to do so, because it’s effective on persistent and difficult to treat substances such as:

• ammonia (from human or animal urine);
• mercaptans (formed when organic matter decomposes, usually smells like rotting cabbage, garlic or eggs); and
• amines (a fishy smell caused by decomposing organic matter – typically meat and other foodstuffs).

We can also offer two very slightly different preparations, which are either lemon or cherry scented.

Next, our specific problem-solvers for tougher jobs…

Urine Neutraliser

This is a yellow liquid with a fresh fragrance which is applied directly to the urine stain with a sprayer. It neutralises the odour on contact and also helps to prevent permanent staining. It is suitable for use on carpets, upholstery and porous surfaces / hard flooring. We would carry out extraction cleaning over the stains after the initial treatment.

Smoke & Odour Neutraliser

Most commonly used to clear the smell of tobacco, we can also use this if there has been a fire in the building and the smell of smoke is lingering in carpets and fabrics. A turquoise liquid with a deodorising fragrance, it can be:

• added to the machine’s solution tank for deodorising large areas of carpet;
• applied as a spray to upholstery or smaller areas of carpet;
• used as a ‘fogger’ to clear smoke odours from the air.

Sanitisers for Extraction Cleaning

We use a sanitiser if the carpet has been contaminated with human or animal waste, or if there is other risk of bacteria or virus. Sanitising can also be used a precautionary measure to protect babies or immuno-compromised people (a dirty carpet can hold up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch).

Both of these sanitisers must be diluted with water before use. They are applied as a spray, and can be used on carpets, upholstery and hard surfaces.

We always use face mask and goggles during sanitiser application, and the entire room (or area) must be kept clear until the spray has had sufficient time to act (we call this ‘dwelling time’) before being removed via extraction cleaning.

Clensan

A clear biocidal liquid with a herbal fragrance. Approved to EN1276 and EN14476, and effective against bacteria and viruses including Enterococcus Hirae (can lead to sepsis), Listeria, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (can lead to pneumonia or blood infections), Staphylococcus Aureus (skin infections or worse), E.coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus (extreme diarrhoea), Orthomyxoviridae (influenza), and Norovirus.

Microsan

A clear liquid with an apple blossom fragrance. Approved to EN1276, EN13697, EN1650, EN14476, and effective against a range of bacteria and viruses including most of those mentioned above but also Hepatitis B & C, HIV, Rubella (‘german measles’), Herpes Simplex, Filoviridae (hemmorhaging viruses) including Ebola, Paramyxoviridae (measles, mumps and some respiratory infections), and the Coronaviridae family (including MERS-CoV or ‘Middle East respiratory syndrome’).

Stain Treatments and other Problem Solvers

A great deal of stains will be lifted by our regular multi-purpose detergent during standard extraction cleaning. If there any that prove to be persistent, we do carry a range of specific treatments. Some are applied after extraction cleaning if needed: others need to be applied in advance. For instance, motor oil, chewing gum and tar usually require a specific treatment to be applied before extraction cleaning.

Many of these products are extremely ‘tough’ so, if in doubt, we always pre-test in an inconspicuous area before full application.

Browning Prescription

This clear acidic liquid can be applied to brown and yellow stains, most commonly:

• jute staining (when a jute-backed carpet has been too wet and lignin is released from the backing and rises into the fibres);
• large areas of tea and coffee staining (tannins).

It can be applied by sprayer or with a rotary machine and carpet brush attachment, before extracting with clean water.

Solvex

A clear, water-rinseable, solvent treatment for use on oil-based gloss paint, emulsion paint and solvent-soluble ink on carpets, upholstery fabrics and hard flooring surfaces. Applied directly to the stain, it softens sticky or dry residues so they can then be removed with a blunt tool. A second application may be required before extraction rinsing using clean water.

Solvall Spotter

A clear solvent-based liquid with an orange fragrance. We use it to remove oil-based stains (grease, tar, oil, bitumen, chewing gum, cosmetics like mascara and lipstick, and gloss paint) from carpets, fabrics and most other solvent-resistant surfaces. Also applied directly onto the stain and allowed to penetrate before gently scraping away softened residues with a blunt knife, or by blotting with a clean white towel or cloth.

Citrus Gel

We use this on carpets, upholstery and hard flooring to remove grease, motor oil, tar, and chewing gum. Its thick consistency stops it penetrating into the carpet’s backing (which may cause damage). Softened debris is scraped from the surface with a blunt tool and blotted with a clean white towel.

Stain Pro

We use this to remove a range of food and drink protein-based stains from carpets and upholstery. It’s effective against blood, vomit, water-based inks, tea, coffee and milk and also acidic or oily stains. It is sprayed directly onto the stain and blotted with a clean white towel. Its alkaline formulation means it is not suitable for use on wool carpets.

Neutral Pro-Spotter

A WoolSafe-approved alternative to Stain Pro for use on wool and other delicate fibres.

Filter-Out

A clear liquid that we use to remove charged particle soiling (or ‘draught marks’). These are stains that are commonly found on light-coloured carpets along skirting boards, under doors, and around heating and ventilation areas: anywhere where dust-filled air flows through the carpet and deposits tiny dust particles onto the fibres that gradually build up. It will also remove carbon, soot and photocopier toner spills. Applied directly to stains with a sprayer.

Coffee Stain Remover

Effective against coffee, tea and also beer. Needs to be given sufficient dwelling time on the carpet or upholstery fabric, before blotting away with a clean white towel.

Rust Remover

A gel that treats rust and dried blood. It is suitable for use on carpets, fabrics and most surfaces, but due to its acidic formulation it may damage delicate fibres such as wool, so we would always pre-test in an inconspicuous area (checking for any texture/colour change) before full application.

Red RX

For red food colouring, fruit juice, carbonated drinks and red wine. Usually applied directly onto the stain via the bottle’s nozzle applicator, but for larger areas it can be diluted with water and applied with a sprayer. It can also be used as a ‘heat treatment’:

1. the formula is applied to the stain;
2. the area is then covered with a damp, folded clean white towel;
3. an iron on high heat is held on the towel for 10-20 seconds.

The heat aids penetration, helping to release more of the colouring into the damp towel.

Protective Treatment (after extraction)

This is applied after extraction cleaning or on brand new carpets or upholstery to repel future dirt build-up and to prevent liquid stains penetrating the fibres.

Fluoroseal CF

This ready to use, WoolSafe-approved treatment is suitable for use on all carpet and upholstery types to provide a protective barrier against liquid stains and dirt. It’s applied as a spray and worked into the fibres with a carpet brush. As we use a fine-tip pressure sprayer to apply, both people and pets must not enter the room until the carpet is completely dry. We always use respiratory and eye protection and gloves during application.

Dry Powder Compounds for Maintenance Cleans

We sometimes use this process – which you can read more about here – in between hot water extraction cleanings. For example, a busy hotel may have their carpeted lobby area extraction cleaned every four months, with a powder-based maintenance clean half way through to deodorise, lift the carpet pile and remove any light dirt build-up.

Fiberdri

A moist powder which is sprinkled onto the carpet and brushed into the fibres. It traps moisture from spills, wet stains, surface dirt and odours. The carpet is then vacuumed to remove the dirty powder, before a carpet brush is used to align the fibres.

WE COVER CENTRAL & SOUTH LONDON WITHIN THE M25 AREA, INCLUDING:

Addington	Addiscombe	Anerley
Balham	Banstead	Beckenham
Biggin Hill	Blackheath	Brentford
Brixton	Brockwell	Bromley
Camberwell	Caterham	Catford
Cheam	Chelsea	Chislehurst
Clapham	Coulsdon	Croydon
Crystal Palace	Dulwich	Epsom
Ewell	Forest Hill	Fulham
Godstone	Greenwich	Hammersmith
Hayes	Herne Hill	Hither Green
Kensington	Kingston	Leatherhead
Lewisham	Mitcham	Morden
New Malden	Norwood	Nunhead
Orpington	Oxted	Peckham
Penge	Purley	Putney
Redhill	Richmond	Roehampton
Sanderstead	Selhurst	Selsdon
Shirley	Sidcup	Streatham
Surbiton	Sutton	Sydenham
Thornton Heath	Tulse Hill	Twickenham
Wallington	Wandsworth	Warlingham
West Wickham	Westerham	Whyteleafe
Wimbledon	Woldingham	Worcester Park