What Happened

Situation
Oil had been spilled on a dark grey carpet in the corridor of a corporate office building. The oil came when a team were doing work on the lift, which caused a numerous stains along the corridor. This area was highly visible to clients and visitors, making the stain not only unsightly but a potential damage to the company’s reputation. The building’s management requested immediate assistance from VCSL to attempt to restore the carpet to its original condition without replacing it.

Challenges
Type of Stain: Oil stains are particularly difficult to remove due to their greasy nature, which adheres to carpet fibres and can sink deep into the fabric.

High-Traffic Area: The stain was in a high-traffic area that could not be cordoned off for long, so cleaning needed to be completed swiftly.

Preservation of Carpet Quality: The client wanted the carpet restored without any damage to the texture, colour, or fibres.

Solution
Our approach was to use a combination of advanced cleaning products, techniques, and specialised equipment to remove the oil stain effectively while preserving the integrity of the carpet.

Cleaning Process

Step 1: Assessment
At the point we were called in the stains had been there for a little over 2 weeks, meaning we were dealing with an embedded and dry stain. Working with our partners in Prochem we first assessed what chemicals would work best to lift the stain and preserve the carpet. We decided on the below:

  • Trafficlean – Industrial strength high concentrate formula with extra water soluble solvents for grease removal.
  • Citra-boost – a professional strength solvent based cleaning additive which we added to the Trafficlean following the dilution rate guidance. Citra – boost gives more power to remove oily and greasy soil, asphalt track-in, food soil and many other difficult soils on carpet.


Step 2: Cleaning Process
Preparing the Carpet – before we could clean the carpet, it needed a thorough vacuum clean.
Pre – soak and Agitation with Soft Brush: Using the chemical combination mentioned above, we presoaked the badly stained areas. Then lightly agitated the stain with a soft-bristled brush, working the solution into the fibres without damaging the fabric. The goal was to loosen and lift the oil without embedding it deeper.
Water Extraction: Using an extraction carpet cleaning machine the cleaning team applied water to the stain, immediately vacuuming the solution and the oil residues from the carpet. This method is effective in removing stubborn stains.

After the carpet had dried, a thorough inspection was carried out to ensure no stains or residues remained. The color and texture of the carpet were greatly improved.

The Outcome

The cleaning was a complete success. The oil stain was entirely removed without any damage to the carpet, and the colour of the carpet remained consistent with the surrounding areas. The client was extremely satisfied with the quick turnaround and the quality of the work.

Key Success Factors

    • Correct Product Selection: Using the correct products tailored for carpets ensured the stain was effectively lifted without damaging the fibers.
    • Professional Equipment: The use of high-powered vacuums and extraction machines provided a thorough cleaning, removing all traces of oil and moisture.
    • Experienced Team: The cleaning staff were skilled in handling difficult stains, employing the right techniques for the material and type of stain.

Client Feedback
The client praised the team for their effective cleaning, noting that the corridor looked brilliant in comparison to what it looked like previously, with no signs that an oil spill had ever occurred. The cleaning not only saved the company from the expense of replacing the carpet but also preserved their professional image in the eyes of their clients and visitors.

Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of using the right cleaning products, techniques, and equipment to address challenging stains such as oil. By applying a step-by-step process, our team was able to restore the carpet and ensure complete customer satisfaction.