Why Does Carpet Discolouration Happen and How Can It Be Fixed?

Carpets are valuable to any household. Particularly in the cooler months, they provide comfort and warmth against the chilly icy floors.

However, discolouration can occur over time, and your once-vibrant pieces will now look faded and dull, forming black blotches.

It is aggravating, right? You are not alone. There are techniques to have your carpets looking new once more.

Resolving the problem starts with understanding the reasons for these stains. Fortunately, there are ways to make such carpets look brand new.

Let’s investigate the causes of carpet discoloration and how to correct it with these simple steps.

Common Reasons for Carpet Discolouration

Discolouration can occur due to a variety of reasons, some of which will surprise you. Although it contributes a great deal, it is more than just dirt that has that effect.

Let us explore the most common culprits for discolourations.

Sunlight Exposure

Although it will seem unusual, UV radiation can have an impact on carpets just as it affects other fabrics.

Think about your carpets as a set of curtains that are being bleached by the sun. If your room has plenty of natural light, it is not unusual for some areas of your carpet to fade.

You can notice the progression of this process in sections that are hidden under furniture. They are likely to have more vibrant colours.

To combat this, think about frequently rearranging your furniture or utilising blinds and curtains during the hottest hours of the day.

Steam cleaning can help rejuvenate pieces that have already sustained a lot of fading. This process helps lift filth and revitalises fibres, thus making your pieces look fresh and new.

Stains and Spills

We have all been there, knocking over coffee or a glass of red wine first thing in the morning.

If these accidents are not treated at once, liquids can stick to the carpet fibres and cause discolouration. The issue, however, goes beyond the spill itself, as it also involves our cleaning technique.

Many people use off-the-shelf cleaning products, some of which include strong chemicals meant to completely colour-change or bleach fabrics.

Deep-set stains, especially those caused by liquids like coffee, wine, or juice, can be eliminated quite easily with steam cleaning.

By breaking down the stain particles, the heat and moisture help your carpet look new without needing any strong chemicals.

Cleaning Chemicals and Products

Cleaning products act as a double-edged sword in every household cleaning toolkit. Although some of them do more harm than good, particularly on carpets, they are designed to help house owners.

Common household cleaners include bleach, for instance, but if it ends up on your carpet, it will cause irreparable damage. If improperly utilised, even solutions made especially for carpets can cause damage to your precious pieces.

For this reason, contemplate a safer choice, such as carpet steam cleaning. This machine makes use of high-temperature water with no added chemicals.

Steam lifts dirt and debris that exists deep inside carpet fibres without running the danger of discolouring it.

Damage and Wear

Carpets are prone to wear and tear, similar to basically every item in our homes. Sometimes, we tend to overlook this.

Our carpets will fade over time as foot activity increases, particularly in high-traffic places like corridors, living rooms, or stairs.

This discolouration results from the continuous pressure and friction of people’s feet walking across it day after day, not from dirt or spills.

A thorough steam clean will refresh these fabrics to a great degree. With this method, you can lift the fibres and remove ingrained dirt, which will have a brightening effect on the colour of your pieces.

Water Damage

This is yet another common cause of this prominent issue. Dirty water from a leaking roof, a burst pipe, or even from overwatered plants can penetrate deep into carpet fibres.

This can create ugly brown or yellow stains. In severe cases, moisture trapped under the carpet can cause mould, which will not only cause stains, but also permanently ruin the fabric.

Steam cleaning can help resolve this type of damage. This is done by addressing the surface discolouration and sanitising the area.

However, before doing so, it’s crucial to deal with the underlying problem causing the water damage.

How to Correct Carpet Discolouration

Now that we have addressed the causes of this issue, let us discuss how to correct carpet discolourations.

The good news is that many times discoloured carpets are not beyond saving. Here is how you can approach the problem and bring your beloved pieces to their former glory.

Steam Clean Carpets.

One great method to revitalise discoloured carpets is steam cleaning. As mentioned earlier, this approach removes stains and dirt deep inside the carpet fibres using hot water and steam.

This eliminates the need for strong chemicals and is especially helpful for high-traffic areas. It can also be helpful against small spills and general discolorations caused by everyday wear and tear.

In addition, it is an environmentally friendly choice.

If you have stubborn spots, many professional cleaning services offer this process as part of their package. Regular steam cleaning not only increases the lifetime of your carpet, but also helps preserve its colour.

Products for Colour Restoration

If steam cleaning proves insufficient, you can make use of colour restoration products. These treatments can restore the brightness of faded carpets, especially for areas that are affected by sunlight or chemicals.

Remember to use them carefully, though. Always test your product of choice in a discreet place first to make sure you do not cause further damage.

Many carpet cleaning companies include colour restoration as part of their packages. These experts apply specialised materials designed to bring even the most faded carpets back to their original state.

Regular Maintenance

Prevention is always better than the cure. Thus, frequent maintenance can help greatly reduce carpet discolouration.

With some maintenance strategies, you can keep carpets looking their best through regular vacuuming, promptly cleaning spills, and avoiding strong chemicals.

Your carpet will also remain colourful if you periodically rearrange furniture and use curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight.

Of course, an annual steam clean will not only address any deep-set dirt, but also help maintain the carpet’s appearance and prevent discolouration.

Although it can be frustrating, this problem is quite reversible. Whether it’s caused by sunlight or chemicals, there are plenty of ways to make your carpet look brand new.

Regular cleaning upkeep will greatly prevent discoloration. For more difficult stains or faded spots, professional steam cleaning is a fantastic fix.

Your carpets will look new and shiny with the correct care. So, if you’re tired from looking at these discoloured spots, now is the ideal time to give them the attention they deserve.