What is Carpet Browning?
March 4, 2009 by Dr. Pro-Care
Filed under Tip of the Month
True browning (sometimes confused with wicking or yellowing) only occurs when cellulosic fibers are present. Cellulosic fibers come from plant material and include cotton, jute, and rayon. Browning occurs on the tips of carpet tufts or on upholstery fabric. This will be more noticeable on light colored fabrics.
Browning is the oxidation of a sugar called lignin. This dissolves in water or cleaning solutions and wicks to the surface during drying. Alkalinity will greatly accelerate cellulosic browning. Over-wetting, slow drying and the age of the fabic also invrease the likelihood and severity of browning.