How to remove calcium and salt from the carpets in your business
Every winter, the entrance mats and carpets of stores and offices get covered in whitish rings. These are residues of de-icing salt and calcium brought in on shoes. Here is how to limit the damage and get your carpets back in shape.
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Why calcium damages carpets
Calcium and salt dissolve in melted snow, soak into the fibres, then crystallize as they dry. They leave white rings, make the fibres rough and act as an abrasive with every step. Left in place all winter, they wear the carpet out prematurely and attract even more dirt.
The right daily habits
- Install an entrance mat long enough for each person to take several steps on it.
- Vacuum the entrance mats every day to remove sand and dry crystals.
- Let wet areas dry before vacuuming.
- Quickly remove the snow and slush that build up at the entrance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Scrubbing a wet stain hard: it pushes the calcium deeper.
- Using too much soap: soap residue attracts dirt.
- Leaving a carpet soaked without drying it: risk of odours and mould.
- Waiting until spring to act: the crystals have had all winter to wear down the fibres.
When to call a professional
When the white rings come back despite vacuuming, a deep cleaning is needed. Hot water extraction injects clean water into the fibres and vacuums it right back up, along with the dirt and dissolved residue. Preceded by a pre-treatment that neutralizes the calcium, it restores the carpet in a single pass, with fast drying.
The recommended winter schedule
- November: a starting clean, before the salt arrives.
- December to March: entrance mat cleaning every two to four weeks, depending on traffic.
- April: a big spring cleaning to remove the last residue.