What causes salt stains on carpets?

Everyone who has experienced winter has seen it. During the winter season, salt and ice melt products are used and ground-in matted areas with white salt stains on many carpets. Trying to prevent them seem pointless and attempts in removing the stains will result in more stain or even permanent damage.
This article from Sani Tech Services will tackle about salt stain and the ways to prevent it.

The Science of Salt
Rock salt and other products that are used in melting snow and ice during winter contain different types of chemicals including, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and sodium chloride. Although it’s widely presumed that these chemicals are acidic, they, in fact, have high levels of pH that ranges from 7 to 11, making them highly alkaline.

You might wonder why this distinction is important. As moisture ensues from evaporating ice and snow, it leaves behind a white residue due to these chemicals. The first reaction for most is to treat such stains using traditional commercial cleaners. Therein lies the problem.

Many commercial cleaners out there have high pH levels. Instead of cancelling out the stain, commercial cleaners add more alkaline chemicals into an already high pH environment. As cleaner is applied, the salt attaches to those molecules to which fortifies its attachment to carpet fibres. Although it may seem at first that commercial cleaners have done the job, the stains will eventually re-appear soon as the area dries up.

Tips for Preventing Salt Stains on Carpet

In preventing salt stains in carpets, having a proactive approach is always the best. Follow the steps below to minimize the damage.

• Always clear your walkway and entryways from snow. This way, the amount of moisture is reduced and this will also decrease the use of products to melt the ice.
• Vacuum regularly to get rid of salt and dirt from carpets. This debris is rough and when stuck in carpets, it can permanently damage carpet fibres leaving them worn and matted down.
• Arrange for an area where workers can change their shoes and provide shoe trays or racks.
• Place welcome mats outside your establishment where people can stomp their feet and additional mats inside to protect your flooring.
• Put a sign that encourages people to wipe their feet. It’s simple but effective.
• Use commercial floor mats in heavily trafficked rooms.

Try to ask your commercial carpet cleaner in Victoria BC to put a protective coating on your carpet after they clean.