Filtration Soiling Explained

What is filtration soiling?

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, filtration soiling is a term used to describe dark, grayish lines that may appear due to airborne pollutants - dust, smog, cleaning agents, etc. - accumulating on the fibers of your carpet in areas where there is limited air flow.

While some may have you believe otherwise, filtration soiling is not dependent on the quality of carpet selected, as even the highest quality carpet can become afflicted from this type of soiling. Filtration soiling, however, will be more noticeable on lighter colorations of carpet rather than on darker colors.

Where does it occur?

As mentioned previously, filtration soiling most commonly occurs in areas where there is limited air flow including around baseboards, under doors, along the edges of stairs and under some furnishings as well as away from walls where plywood sub-flooring materials have been joined.

This type of soiling typically occurs under closed interior doors in residential and commercial establishments that utilize a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). When running your HVAC system, it pays to keep the doors open to reduce the likelihood of filtration soiling occurring.

How can I reduce filtration soiling?

While filtration soiling cannot be prevented (as of yet), keeping the air inside your home as clean as possible can help keep this problem at bay. This is best accomplished by reducing the use of indoor pollutants, regularly replacing HVAC air filters and by using high-efficiency vacuum cleaner bags.

To further reduce areas from becoming soiled, or to effectively clean those areas already soiled, it is highly recommended that you contact the experts at T.A.C.T. Cleaning for prompt and professional carpet cleaning services. You can contact us at 317.514.1190 or via our online submission form.