Why oh why does this happen?

This is called wicking. What is wicking? The act of moving moisture by capillary action from the inside to the surface (the free dictionary). So what does this mean to you? Or me?

So, your carpet is dirty (so is mine). Actually dirtier than you think. Way down deep, maybe even through the backing. Once the carpet is steam cleaned the dirt in the carpet fibers has been removed but the carpet remains somewhat damp. As air flows across the top of the carpet, water molecules are pulled from the top of the carpet so the water is carried off. so the carpet is only drying from the tips of the carpet this causes the rest of the water to “wick” up since the water molecules move from the wetter areas down low to the drier areas at the top of the carpet.

The issue is when water molecules begin to be pulled to the top they tend to bring with them the dirt that was left down deep in the carpet or that was in the backing of the carpet itself. What you end up with is dry carpet that has the dirt back in place this is why carpet look great right after a cleaning but the spot reappears hours or even days later.

Lisa Shultz Owner / Manager

Anderson Carpet Cleaning is a family owned business serving the entire Eastside since 1996. Lisa is the proud owner and resides in Duvall with her two kids … and treats every customer as if they are family. Always a stickler for perfection, every carpet, rug or upholstered furniture cleaned by her company is backed with her promise that it will be done to perfection. To talk to Lisa you will immediately feel the extreme passion she has for her company to provide you with a “Red Carpet Experience!” Anderson Carpet Cleaning has five vans with the latest steam cleaning equipment for all residential cleaning needs as well a large “Fuso” truck which offers the ability to clean apartments up as high as the tenth floor! In keeping with the latest in environmentally friendly cleaning soaps and sanitizers, Lisa is always making sure that each product she uses is organic. In fact, she encourages her customers to use the waste water extracted from their home to water their plants and they will flourish!

See Full Bio