Spotting Techniques & Stain Removal Flashcards
7 cards from real CCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Spotting Techniques & Stain Removal flashcards as text
A nail polish stain on a nylon carpet would BEST be treated with which spotter?
Answer: Acetone or non-oily nail polish remover applied carefully
Acetone dissolves nail polish, but it must be used carefully and tested first because it can damage certain fiber types and dye systems.
When treating a dye stain from a colored beverage or marker, what type of spotter is typically employed after initial blotting?
Answer: Reducing or oxidizing agent designed for dye removal
Synthetic dye stains often require reducing agents (for certain dyes) or oxidizing agents to chemically break down the chromophore structure of the dye.
What is the risk of over-wetting carpet during the spotting process?
Answer: It can cause wicking, delamination, mold, and mildew in the backing and pad
Excess moisture saturates the backing and pad, extending drying time and creating ideal conditions for wicking, mold growth, and potential delamination.
For a fresh ink stain from a ballpoint pen, which approach is most effective?
Answer: Use a dry-solvent or isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the oil-based ink carrier
Ballpoint ink is oil-based, so a dry-solvent or isopropyl alcohol effectively dissolves its carrier, making the pigment easier to blot away.
A technician notices a yellow discoloration in carpet that appeared after using a high-alkaline spotter on a wool rug. What most likely occurred?
Answer: Alkaline hydrolysis damaged the wool protein fiber, causing yellowing
Wool fibers are protein-based and highly sensitive to alkaline chemicals; high-pH spotters cause alkaline hydrolysis and yellowing, so near-neutral or mildly acidic spotters must be used.
What does 'dwell time' mean in the context of stain removal?
Answer: The period a spotting agent is left on a stain before agitation or extraction
Dwell time is the contact time allowed for the spotting agent to chemically react with and break down the stain before it is agitated or extracted.
Which of the following is an example of a combination stain that requires a multi-step approach?
Answer: Lipstick (contains both oil and dye components)
Lipstick contains both oil-based and dye components, requiring first a dry-solvent treatment for the oil, followed by a dye or detergent spotter for the color.