Leverage pH for the Best Cleaning Results

Understanding pH levels isn’t just about chemistry – it’s about protecting fibers, ensuring deep cleaning and maintaining customer trust.

Mastering pH allows you to tackle stains effectively, extend carpet and upholstery lifespan and prevent costly mistakes. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is pH? 

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14:  acids (0-6), neutrals (7) and alkalines (8-14). Every cleaning product falls somewhere on this scale.

We use pH daily without thinking about it or knowing why. For example, what is the pH value of the toothpaste and why? The great majority of food and beverages are on the acid side of the pH scale, normally 4-6 pH. Because tooth enamel can be damaged by long-term exposure to acids, most toothpaste pH (except whitening versions) is typically alkaline (8-10 pH) so it can neutralize acids left on teeth.

How Does pH Affect Cleaning Results?

Using the wrong pH level for a job can cause:

1. Color Fading – Too much alkalinity can strip dyes, leaving carpets dull or discolored.
2. Fiber Damage – Acidic cleaners can weaken delicate materials over time, while high-pH solutions can cause brittleness.
3. Residue Build-Up – Failing to neutralize detergents properly can leave sticky residues that attract dirt faster.

Expert Tip: Always test carpet fibers before cleaning and use a neutralizing rinse to restore balance after applying high-pH cleaners.

Pros and Cons of Cleaning Products’ pH Levels

Low pH Advantages:  Acidic cleaning products are especially valued for specialty applications:

• Effectively dissolving inorganic substances like lime scale, mineral deposits and rust. 
• Neutralizing residues left behind by high alkaline solutions, restoring balance to carpets or upholstery after aggressive cleaning processes.
• Low pH formulas such as All Fiber Deep Clean Rinse are usually safer for delicate fibers, such as wool or silk, making them indispensable for some upholstery cleaning. 

Low pH Disadvantages:  Acidic cleaners also have their downsides:

• Can weaken or degrade sensitive materials over time.
• Certain dyes or finishes may react unfavorably to strong acidic formulas, causing discoloration or dulling of surfaces.
• May be ineffective on organic-based stains, like grease or protein, requiring additional steps or complementary products to achieve complete stain removal.

High pH Advantages:  Alkaline solutions are a powerful cleaning tool:

• Breaking down and emulsifying organic compounds such as grease, oils and protein-based stains.
• Removing heavy soiling and tackling tasks that require significant soil penetration.
• Useful for pre-treatments or in environments with frequent spills or tough grime. 

High pH Disadvantages:  Despite their effectiveness, high pH chemicals risk causing damage if not used properly.

• Prolonged exposure can weaken carpet fibers, leading to brittleness and eventual degradation.
• May also interact poorly with certain fibers or finishes, particularly natural materials like wool, resulting in discoloration or texture changes.
• Failing to neutralize the alkalinity post-cleaning can leave detergent residues that attract dirt, reducing the longevity of the cleaning process and potentially harming the carpet over time. 

Choosing the Right pH for the Job

Carpet cleaning products target specific pH levels to tackle various stain and soil types. Here's when to use acidic vs. alkaline solutions:

Acidic Products (pH 0-6)

Best for: Removing mineral deposits, rust and tannin-based stains, as well as neutralizing alkaline residues after cleaning.

• Ideal for synthetic and wool carpets and silk materials.
• Help remove hard water minerals left after rinsing.
• Use sparingly to avoid fiber damage. 

Expert Tip: Rinsing with plain water is not as effective as using an acid rinse like All Fiber Rinse, as water contains minerals – especially hard water – and which remain on carpet fibers after drying. Acidic rinses remove the minerals while neutralizing and removing alkaline residues from previous cleanings.

Alkaline Products (pH 8-14)

Best for: Breaking down grease, oils, protein-based stains, and heavy soiling.

• Products such as Ultrapac Extreme and Power Burst are popular higher pH solutions for heavy-duty cleaning tasks.
• Essential for pre-treatments and in environments where frequent spills or tough grime are common.
• Provide stronger emulsification power for organic soils.

Caution: High-pH solutions can weaken fibers over time if not rinsed properly.

Another Factor: pH of Soils

For effective cleaning, you must also consider the pH of soils you are removing and choose the correct products designed to neutralize and suspend that soil.

Expert Tip: Most carpet and upholstery soils fall in the acidic range (pH 4-6), meaning alkaline cleaners (pH 8-10) are typically needed to neutralize and break them down.For example, if carpet soils are 4 pH and your cleaning solution is 10 pH, then the carpet's pH after cleaning would be a neutral 7 pH, which is neutral.

Your Business Success and pH

Understanding these advantages and limitations underscores the importance of proper product selection, fiber testing and application of professional cleaning processes.

Expert Tip: For typical carpet and upholstery cleaning, choose a prespray that balances high enough alkalinity to remove the soils but not so high as to cause any damage to fibers. Follow it up with a rinse that’s acidic enough to remove any minerals  plus residues from previous cleanings to leave the carpet fibers  brighter with a soft "hand."

Managing pH effectively will not only enhance cleaning efficiency but also protect the reputation of your business.

For more professional cleaning guidance, search our Tips & Tricks for "carpet cleaning" or other topics of interest.